Delhi is one of those cities which is uniquely known for its culture and civilization; a city where everyone is free to follow the color of his choice. One who encounters with the city for once, gets entirely absorbed in that one color forever. I am a stroller, and so my color is that of a rainbow and getting absorbed in those colors, I am travelling in Shahjahanabad, a city where fragrance of perfumes and the “Korma” fumes can be experienced all together. The “Azaan” of its Jama Masjid collides with the prayer of the Seesganj Gurudwara and the Jain temple and produces a voice that compels every head to bow down in love and faith.
Travelling through the “Maren Gali” of the old city.. Let me take you inside, the live–Seventh City of Delhi!
VIBRANT STREETS
With the formation of the new city “New Delhi”, Shahjahanabad, a city born before independence, perhaps has grown old but with everything just so colorful and brisk, has not lost its liveliness in a way that no other city can compete with its youngness and vibrancy. Adventuring into the narrow yet historic streets of Delhi, I am once again compelled to dig out a bit of history, a bit of geography and a lot of varied life.
LIVE REMINISCENCE
Passing through this place, the glorious architecture of the monuments made by Mughals and Ottoman rulers, can be seen effortlessly. One of these architectural specimens is this city itself, that no longer exits but has its live reminiscences still present. The special Jama Masjid and the Red Fort, that took nine-long years of construction after the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi, are the surviving examples of the meticulous Persian architecture.
DOORS TO EXPLORATION
A number of huge gates welcome us while exploring the old city. Once known for its greatness and splendor, the sublime gates now remain a passage to places known after these ancient magnificent doors. As right now, I am passing through the Kaashmiri gate along with small glimpses of Ajmeri Darwaza, Lahori Darwaza, Kabuli Darwaza, and Delhi Darwaza and with this we penetrate the old gold city embedding 13 different cities further, layer by layer.
REVERBERATING THE PAST
Shah Jahan had an unexceptional inclination towards architecture, which can easily be seen in the existing buildings and historic monuments. The Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid and Akbar Badi Masjid, Begum Ka Bagh, Tees Hazari Bagh along with many palaces and splendid Havelis are a unique hallmark of the same. Alongside, Kala Mahal is a creation where earlier Shahjahan lived temporarily while his visits to Delhi in times when Agra used to be his capital and today a school building can be seen at the same place! Rang Mahal, Chandni Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Imli Mahal are other Mughal works still resonating its beauty.
WHISPERING THE CLASSICAL BEAUTY
The street in front of the southern door of Jama Masjid is known as the Market of Matia Mahal. It is said that, before constructing Red Fort, there existed a big castle that was built for Haram women for their stay. The oldest mansion of this market is located on the bank of the canal near the Lahauri gate of the Red Fort. Although, in the last phase of the Mughal rule, this mansion was broken, the traces of its beauty are still evident.
UNEXPLORED FOREIGN ARCHITECTURE
Behind the Chandni Chowk Kumar Talkies, there lies a magnificent historical building that finds its roots about two hundred years ago. Being an extraordinary model of foreign architecture and the only example known of its kind, it had been coined as Bhagirath Palace. Besides, earlier the grand palace was also known as “Kothi of Begum Samru” that now seems to be covered and hidden by an old bank, hotel and many commercial shops.
A “KOTWALI ” THAT PUNISHED THE PAST
Chandni Chowk registers a Kotwali with a platform in its premises where the accused were earlier brought, sentenced and punished by the Kotwal. In front of this Kotwali, there exists a tall lumber (lakkad) in the middle of the market, known as Lal Khan Lakkad. The thieves and thugs were tied up with this lumber to the rags. Also, Delhi’s famous poet Mirza Ghalib was locked in a cell in this Kotwali. A few years ago a portion of Kotwali was given to the Committee of Seesganj Gurudwara.
RE-VISIT, RE-THINK, RE-EVALUATE!
Rosendullah’s Mansion and the Golden Mosque, Lala Chunnamal’s Mansion, Raja Jugal Kishore’s mansion and Munshi Bhavani Shankar’s famous “Namak Haram Haveli” are all the prospering examples of the marvelous past.
Adding life to the city of Shahjahanabad, the royal Red Fort and the historical Jama Masjid still mark their vibrant existence. Absorbing these vivid colors of each glimpses speaking loud of the history, I may conclude that a visit to Delhi remains incomplete without meeting the endless glory of its unknown cities. Thus,
REVISIT DELHI AND KNOW SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR NEVER.
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