By Akshay
March 25, 2026
Asia's largest red-light district is Sonagachi, located in Kolkata.
In this area situated near Shobhabazar, more than 7,000 to 10,000 sex workers work across hundreds of buildings.
It is considered one of the largest red-light districts not only in Asia, but in the entire world.
A famous film titled 'Born into Brothels,' based on the lives of the sex workers here, has also been made.
Alongside this lies Kamathipura in Mumbai, once considered India's largest and oldest red-light district.
However, due to police action, government reforms, and rehabilitation efforts, business here has declined significantly.
This is the reason why Kamathipura is now considered Asia's second-largest red-light district.
Sonagachi ranks first in Asia, and Kamathipura is often recognized as the second-largest area.
Furthermore, the Kidderpore red-light district is considered Kolkata's third-largest red-light district.