The hall is called Chhatta Chowk, which means covered bazaar. It was extremely unusual to see a covered bazaar in India at the time the fort was built. In fact, Shah Jahan was inspired by a covered bazaar he saw in Peshawar (which today is in Pakistan). Although the shops are very touristy, it was indeed historically a bazaar and there would have been shops here selling silks, brocades, gold, silverware, jewelry, and gems for the imperial household.