Outside Fatehpuri Masjid
Outside Fatehpuri Masjid, Old Delhi
Tag Archives: shahjahanabad
“Dara Shikoh’s Library” at Kashmiri Gate
I got a chance to visit Ambedkar University Delhi’s campus at Kashmiri Gate (a campus that it shares with a couple of other universities), and explored the purported library of Dara Shikoh, which was turned into the British Residency (offices?) in the first half of the 19th c, and which is now used as ASI offices. Continue reading
Old Delhi’s Old Cinema Halls
While exploring Old Delhi and adjoining areas like Sadar Bazaar and Pahar Ganj, I’ve come across some deliciously intriguing decades-old cinema halls. Some are doing fine, some just getting along, while some seem to have shut shop or might be under litigation. This post is a visual exploration of those theaters – I haven’t gone into their histories, though I’m sure each and every one would reveal interesting stories with a little digging into. I’m assuming that these cinema halls all came up between the 1950s and 80s, though dates would have to be confirmed. Continue reading
Fatehpuri Chowk Teardown
Fatehpuri Chowk was covered in my first post on Shahjahanabad, covering the Khari Baoli and Katra Neel areas. That was back in 2009, when I had visited Fatehpuri Chowk for the very first time. On turning off Chandni Chowk and experiencing Fatehpuri Chowk the first few times (before the place became familiar to me), I very clearly remember feeling that this was what a bustling town in India would have looked/felt like in the 1940s, 50s, 60s Continue reading
Behind The Scenes
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
Shahjahanabad III: Kashmiri Gate & Northern Old Delhi
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
Shahjahanabad II: Chandni Chowk & Begam Samru’s House
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
Bazaar Matia Mahal At Night
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.
Old Delhi/Shahjahanabad – Random/Recent Photos
Just some photos from recent trips to Old Delhi, taken in Dec ’11 and Jan ’12.
Service lane in the Sitaram Bazaar area
Auto spare-parts stores near Jami Masjid
Looking down the (once) fabled Meena Bazaar from the steps of Jami Masjid
Side entrance to Fatehpuri Masjid
Fatehpuri Chowk with winter fog
Jalebis, pakoras etc near Excelsior Cinema, Old Delhi
Crazy Delhi Shenanigans
You see some crazy things while walking around Delhi!
The incredible floating sink, Chandni Chowk (photo taken in 2009)
The incredible floating ladder, Hauz Qazi Chowk (hint: it’s a prop to advertise the aluminum store below)
Take that, NDMC demolition squad! In front of New Delhi Railway Station, Ajmeri Gate
Public utility, meet private property, Mehrauli
Sarson ke Khet 