# Jaipur's 150-Year-Old Barber Shop Where Shaving Once Cost Less Than 1 Paisa As 70-Year-Old Chandrashekhar Fights To Save His Family Legacy > Located in Gopalji Ka Rasta in Jaipur, the 150-year-old Expert Hair Dresser is run by 70-year-old Chandrashekhar, who continues to keep his family's generational barber shop alive despite modern competition and ongoing property disputes. **Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-10-20 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/jaipur-ke-150-sala-purane-barber-shop-ki-kahani-jahan-chandrashekhar-snbhala-rahe-hain-apani-virasata-49660 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Jaipur, heritage, historic shop, barber shop, Rajasthan, traditional business Jaipur is renowned globally for its historic walled markets and rich architectural heritage. Across generations, local families within the city have carefully preserved their ancestral businesses and age-old shops like precious heirlooms. Whether operating from a humble cabin or a large showroom, residents have kept decades-old identities alive to this day. Tucked away inside Gopalji Ka Rasta at Chora Rasta in Jaipur lies Expert Hair Dresser, a striking example of this enduring tradition. Believed to be roughly 150 years old, this hair salon stands as one of the oldest operational grooming shops in Jaipur, where stepping inside instantly transports visitors into a bygone era. ## Origins and Generational Journey Under Founder Ram Sahai The 70-year-old current owner of the shop, Chandrashekhar, shared insights into its history, explaining that the establishment was founded by his grandfather, Ram Sahai, long before Chandrashekhar was even born. During that early era, the space was rented for a meager 1 rupee per month. Back then, haircuts and shaves were performed for less than 1 paisa. After operating on rent for a prolonged period, his grandfather eventually purchased the property outright. Following his passing, the management of the shop transitioned to Chandrashekhar's father, Bal Mukund, who dedicated decades to carrying forward the family trade. ## Dilapidated Walls and Crumbling Furniture Amid Modern Competition With the rapid shift in times and the emergence of flashy, modern air-conditioned salons, the physical condition of this historic shop has deteriorated significantly. The interior walls have reached a dilapidated state, and the vintage wooden furniture has broken down over the years. Although the shop often appears deserted when compared to glitzy contemporary salons, there was a time when prominent and well-known personalities of Jaipur would queue up here for a shave and a haircut. Even though only two to four customers visit the shop on any given day now, Chandrashekhar arrives every single morning to raise the shutter with unwavering dedication and cheerful resolve. ## Family Disputes and the Ultimate Struggle to Preserve a Legacy Chandrashekhar points out that the younger generation today shows zero interest in pursuing this traditional craft. Other members of his family view the shop strictly as a commercial asset or piece of real estate. Due to minimal earnings generated from the establishment, a long-standing dispute has persisted among the brothers over selling off the property. While relatives want to liquidate the loss-making shop, Chandrashekhar regards it as the final living memento left behind by his grandfather and father. He remains committed to safeguarding the shop as a cherished heritage for future generations, opening its doors every morning with that singular hope. ## What this means for you This story highlights the challenges faced by traditional family-run businesses, historic urban spaces, and their struggle for survival amidst rapid modernization. - **In Jaipur:** Local shopkeepers and historic merchants within the walled city continue to face intense competition from modern air-conditioned salons and changing consumer preferences. The situation underscores the difficult choices families face when preserving old commercial properties amid shifting urban landscapes. - **For Traditional Businesses:** The declining interest of younger generations in low-yielding traditional trades and the resulting property disputes among siblings highlight broader economic pressures. Families often grapple with the friction between preserving a sentimental generational legacy and liquidating underperforming real estate assets. ## Why this happened This situation stems from drastic shifts in modern consumer preferences, changing generational priorities, and the severe economic decline of traditional neighborhood trades. As urban lifestyles evolve, customer expectations regarding grooming services have shifted toward contemporary establishments, leaving old-school shops behind. - **Modern Competition:** The proliferation of upscale, air-conditioned salons equipped with modern amenities has drawn customers away from unpolished, historic neighborhood barber shops. - **Financial Strain:** The sharp drop in daily customer footfall has reduced earnings to minimal levels, turning the establishment into a financially unviable venture in the eyes of other family members. - **Generational Shift:** Younger family members are drawn toward modern employment opportunities and higher-paying careers, leading to a complete lack of interest in inheriting low-income traditional crafts. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. What is the name of this historic shop and where is it located? The shop is named Expert Hair Dresser and is located inside Gopalji Ka Rasta at Chora Rasta in Jaipur. ### 2. Who originally established the shop? The shop was initially started by Chandrashekhar's grandfather, Ram Sahai. ### 3. How old is this barber shop? The shop is approximately 150 years old, making it one of the oldest hair salons in Jaipur. ### 4. What was the initial rent and service charge when the shop opened? Initially, the shop was rented for just 1 rupee per month, and haircuts or shaves cost less than 1 paisa. ### 5. Who runs the shop currently and how many customers visit daily? The shop is currently run by 70-year-old Chandrashekhar, with only 2 to 4 customers visiting on any given day. ### 6. What do other family members want to do with the shop? Due to low earnings, other family members want to sell off the shop as a piece of real estate. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._