In Agra city’s heart, Maal Ka Bazaar, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sev Ka Bazaar, and the notorious Basai Village once thrived in nocturnal vibrance, echoing with music.

Predominantly Nepali sex workers would entice passersby from their balconies as pimps guided customers through winding alleyways to brothels. Daily police raids and public parades showcased the area's tumultuous existence.

Read in Hindi: 'मॉडर्न' हो चुका है आगरा का सेक्स मार्केट...

Today, that landscape has shifted dramatically. With Fatehabad Road evolving into a trendy tourist hotspot, Basai has seen an influx of hotels and emporiums. Meanwhile, historic Mughal-era markets have transitioned into bustling commercial hubs, reflecting changing times. The dynamics of demand and supply in the sex trade have also been transformed, leading to a new era in Agra's sex industry.

Experts say that Agra's growing status as a global tourist hub due to the Taj Mahal and other attractions has reportedly led to a rise in the prostitution trade, as the city sees an influx of sex workers from different parts of the country. Many from Delhi come in private vehicles on weekends or holidays to enjoy their ‘accompaniments’.

Tourist guides say that nightlife in Agra is becoming increasingly ‘colourful’, with activities such as escort services and high-profile parties catering to tourists and locals. Using online platforms and social media to organise and advertise services has further expanded the facilities. Local activists and NGOs argue that a lack of proper law enforcement and public awareness has allowed such activities to flourish.

A social worker says, "Agra's prostitution trade has undergone significant changes over the past years. The traditional red-light areas, which were once identifiable and famous, have almost disappeared, leading to the de-centralisation of the sex trade into new areas. It also operates through hotels, spas, bars and clubs, which are now commonly found in posh areas. The sex market, which was previously driven by economic and social compulsions, is now dominated by amateur part-timers and fair-skinned foreign girls."

Recalling an incident from February 2020, a tourist guide mentioned that the police had arrested five people, including three women from Uzbekistan and two from Delhi, from a hotel in the Tajganj area. The then SP City had said that some hotels in the area were on the police radar and about 37 small hotels had been identified as networks operating sex rackets at various levels.

A local tour operator said that a few years ago, a man named Bima was a "big sex racket operator specializing in foreign clients" who was said to supply Russian girls to hotels in Delhi and Agra. A police source said that the arrested gang members were running a sex racket by luring customers from local five-star hotels.

Historically, sex work in Agra often involved women from specific communities, such as the Bedia community, who were known to engage in the trade as a means of survival. Along with them, women from Nepal also figured prominently in the scene. Then came women from eastern states and Bangladesh. During the second half of the 20th century, these groups dominated the local sex work scene, linked to the traditional red-light areas where transactions were public and local. The decline of these settlements has led to the fragmentation of the sex trade. In the last two to three decades, the advent of various social changes and economic shifts has redefined the dynamics of the sex trade.

The rise of the call girl market, driven by growing tourism, has seen a significant increase in demand from local and foreign patrons. This shift is characterised by a reliance on technology and privacy, with clients often seeking safe, accessible and comfortable arrangements. Small hotels have taken advantage of this trend by renting out rooms on an hourly basis.

Previously, sex work was often seen as a last resort for marginalised women, but today's sex trade includes freelancers and part-time players. Awareness and widespread availability of contraceptives have also led to many housewives, students or young professionals joining the sex trade, or hostellers looking for additional income or flexible work schedules. This shift reflects broader social changes, including the growing participation of women in the workforce and changing perceptions of sexuality and economic agency.

While traditional red-light areas have diminished, underground and more sophisticated forms of sex work can pose even greater risks, including trafficking, exploitation and unsafe conditions. Furthermore, the glamorisation of the sex industry through its association with nightlife and modern leisure activities – seen in the rise of bars and clubs – and the involvement of students and young professionals raise ethical concerns about the circumstances that lead them to such choices. Economic pressures, rising living costs and a desire to improve lifestyle often push individuals into this precarious profession.

As Agra develops, so will the dynamics of its sex trade.