The back-alleys, side-streets and narrow lanes of areas like Old Delhi and Connaught Place combine with the layered histories of these places (and unfortunately in most cases, their current state of disrepair and disorganization) to create interesting urban photographic subjects. Continue reading
The Kashmiri Gate area of Shahjahanabad is the small bit that lies to the north of Old Delhi railway station, while the bulk of Shahjahanabad lies to its south. A railway station in 19th c. Delhi had become a necessity due to the growing rail network of British India and the increasing British interest in Delhi (they had essentially controlled Delhi since 1803), however the location of Old Delhi station was probably dictated by retributionary passions after the uprising of 1857, since the introduction of the rail lines and station in their current alignment meant the clearing of a large swath of the city. The railway lines and station also conveniently divided Old Delhi into two, and the British began concentrating in the northern part of the city. This is also partly the reason why the original Civil Lines and cantonment lie to the north of Shahjahanabad. Continue reading
Way back in November 2009 I had posted the previous in my Dilli Darshan series of posts, covering the Khari Baoli and Katra Neel areas of Shahjahanabad. That was the first in what was to be a set of posts covering Shahjahanabad, which I am now continuing! Continue reading
Photos from the bustling Bazaar Matia Mahal at night, back in October 2009. This is an area in Old Delhi famous for its eateries, though these photos focus more on street activity.
Near the Vishwavidyalay metro station (Delhi University’s north campus station) lie a set of “minor” historic structures. These small structures, along what is now Brig SK Majumdar Marg, were ammunition stores constructed by the British in the early 19th century, when they (partly) moved out of the Kashmiri Gate area of Shahjahanabad to create the Civil Lines and cantonment (where DU’s north campus is now located). These ammunition stores would have been in or near the cantonment area at the time. Continue reading
I recently created a timeline for Delhi and it’s various “cities”, to help me place historical figures and events and buildings in time and place (by “place” here I mean which city in the sequence of cities that make up Delhi). Hopefully it’ll be easy enough to decipher, and at least some people should find it useful, so I thought I’d put it out in public. Continue reading
On one of my recent visits to Hauz Khas village I had been reminded of just how close the new construction is to the 14th century madrassa there, so I thought I’d put up some earlier photos I had taken of that proximity conundrum. This situation is repeated so often in Delhi and everywhere else in India. Just too close for comfort. Continue reading
A few early morning photos of Humayun’s Tomb and it’s gardens. Continue reading
Photos of a bastion, part of the Siri Fort fortifications in Delhi. This bastion is pretty well preserved, but is hidden in the urban village of Shahpur Jat. I took these photos while on a walking tour of the Shahpur Jat/Siri area. Will have to go back there to click better photos when there’s no winter fog! Continue reading
Just some photos from recent trips to Old Delhi, taken in Dec ’11 and Jan ’12.
Sarson ke Khet 