Afghan bakers preparing traditional naan inside Delhi tandoor bakery

From the archive record

Bakers prepare traditional Afghan naan inside a busy Afghan-style bakery located in the Bhogal and Lajpat Nagar area of New Delhi, neighbourhoods often associated with the city’s Afghan community. Workers shape long oval Afghan breads known as Naan-e-Afghani before placing them directly onto the inner walls of a hot clay tandoor oven beside an open flame. Freshly baked naan is removed carefully from the tandoor using long metal tools while stacks of finished bread accumulate inside the bakery. The bakery displays different styles of Afghan flatbread, including elongated naan and rounded traditional loaves commonly prepared in Central Asian and Afghan cuisine. Heat from the clay oven, active baking work, and continuous bread preparation reflect the fast-paced environment of the traditional