The Fascinating Tale of Kanpur's Famous Thaggu's Laddus

Uncover the captivating story of Thaggu's Laddus, a famous sweet shop in Kanpur founded by Ram Avatar Pandey. From humble beginnings to a thriving business, learn how Gandhi's teachings inspired the unique branding and marketing strategies that have made this shop a beloved local institution. Discover the intriguing names of their products and the clever marketing twists that resonate with customers. Join us as we delve into this sweet legacy that continues to delight the people of Kanpur.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 17, 2026, 23:23 IST

The Story Behind Kanpur's Renowned Thaggu's Laddus

Ram Avatar Pandey, also known as Matha Pandey, originally hailed from a small village named Parouli in Uttar Pradesh. Sixty years ago, he moved to Kanpur with nothing but an empty pocket and a large plate filled with delicious laddus made by his wife. Today, we delve into the intriguing story of Kanpur's famous Thaggu's Laddus.

It is noteworthy that Ram Avatar Pandey used to roam the streets of Kanpur with a towel draped over his shoulder, selling laddus. Over time, he managed to save enough money to purchase a small shop in the Parade area of Kanpur in 1973. However, a few years later, his shop was set ablaze during riots, which was a significant setback for him. Yet, fate had other plans, as the government compensated him with a new shop in the bustling Bada Chauraha area of Kanpur.

Since its inception in 1990, this shop has thrived. However, many wonder how someone could choose such an unusual name for their shop. Adarsh, Ram Avatar's grandson, explains that their grandfather was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and regularly attended his public gatherings. Inspired by Gandhi's speeches, particularly when he referred to sugar as 'white poison,' Ram Avatar was left pondering how to make laddus without sugar.

Adarsh, representing the third generation of the family, shares that their grandfather decided to remain honest with his customers. To raise awareness about the adverse effects of sugar, he named the shop Thaggu's Laddus, ensuring that people understood the potential harm of consuming sugary laddus.

Indeed, Ram Avatar Pandey's inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi led to remarkable marketing strategies. His shop's tagline, 'There is no relative we haven't cheated,' has become widely recognized. Additionally, he has creatively named various food items. For instance, when he sold puris in Kanpur, he named them 'Communist Puri made from Criminal Flour,' linking them to the local textile mill union. Furthermore, when he opened a shop in Netaji Market, he named his laddus 'Netaji Market Laddus,' cleverly playing on the political context of the area.

With government residences for politicians nearby, he crafted a tagline that suggested appearances can be deceiving. This was a subtle jab at politicians, highlighting the contrast between their public persona and reality. Adarsh notes that their grandfather believed that if direct selling didn't work, adding a twist to the product would attract customers, as people enjoy a good twist. So, what do you think of the captivating story of Kanpur's Thaggu's Laddus? We would love to hear your thoughts!