It has been more than 200 years since the birth of the great poet Ghalib but his poems continue to have a remarkable relevance to our time. His works, when recited with élan, still leave people spellbound. Born as Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, Takhallus Ghalib Ghalib (meaning, not surprisingly, ‘the most excellent’), as he chose…
Category: 5. British Overlords
The Road to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti | Ajmeri Gate, Delhi
Of course you’ve been to the New Delhi railway station and witnessed all the chaos there. Would you believe me if I told you that nearby lies a place far removed from the hustle and bustle of this busy city? Yes, friends, for all those who simply want to while away their time in case…
An Old Church and Many Memories… | St. James Church, Delhi
Since it’s Good Friday, I thought of sharing with you pictures of one of the oldest churches in Delhi- St. James Church, or Skinner’s Church, built by Col James Skinner in 1836, near the Kashmiri Gate. Enjoy and have a good Good Friday 🙂
The “Delhie” Book and a Picnic atop the Qutb
I am excited as I’ve stumbled upon the “Delhie Book” of Thomas Metcalfe. Does not ring a bell? Well, Metcalfe was an officer of the British East India Company, and the Governor-General’s Resident at the Imperial court of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in early 19th century Delhi. He ran the ‘Delhi territory’ from 1835 to…
An old painting of the Red Fort along the Yamuna
Thomas Metcalfe, as Governor-General’s Agent at the Imperial court of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in early 19th century Delhi, ordered a series of images of the monuments & ruins of this city, to be created by Delhi artist Mazhar Ali Khan. Here’s one such masterpiece…a painting of the Red Fort as viewed from Metcalfe’s…
The Less Favorite Mosque
In the chaos of Chandni Chowk, in the horrific blare of horns and pushing and shoving of thousands of people going about their daily business and shopping sprees, history is often lost… What remain are yards and yards of sequinned sarees displayed on shop windows, vendors selling everything kitschy in the world, and a din like…
Pic-A-Day Project: Heart of Delhi
Connaught Place , the ‘central business district’ designed as part of the Lutyens’ delhi project, was built between 1929-33, after the major areas of New Delhi (Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Parliament House) had been built and the new city inaugurated. It was inspired by the magnificent Royal Crescent in Bath, England, and was named after…
Pic-A-Day Project: Standing Tall
Standing tall as a part of the Delhi skyline since 1192 when the first Muslim ruler of Delhi- Qutbuddin Aibak– settled here and started building a victory tower, there’s a lot that this minar has seen. Many a ruler built over and renovated it (Iltutmish, Feroze Shah Tughlaq, even Lord Hardinge). Some even tried to…
Pic-A-Day Project: Reflections…
A bit late in the day, but come on folks! Isn’t late evening the best time for a drive to the India Gate? This monument to war heroes is today the new center of people power. Be it candle light vigils or world cup celebrations, this is the place Delhiites flock to whenever a momentous…
Pic-A-Day Project: Morning Walk
As the days get hotter, we gotta make the most of our mornings…so here’s some inspiration for all you Delhi lovers! What could be more inviting than a walk along the broad avenues of Lutyen’s zone? Edwin Lutyens was the chief architect of ‘New Delhi‘, the central administrative area of the city, at the center…
Pic-A-Day Project: Flying High!
This is the famous rampart of the Red Fort, from where the Indian tricolor is unfurled every Independence Day by the Prime Minister of the country. The fort of course, has seen many a royal coronation and many a bloody battle, but today it is one of the most unmistakable symbols of the country’s independence….
Resting Ground | The Delhi War Cemetery
There is something about a cemetery that makes me feel at peace with the world. When Death, the great equalizer, is all around me, it suddenly ceases to be frightening any more. Peace envelops me as I look around, too conscious of the impermanence and the fragile beauty of life. My friend Moony and I are visiting the…
A Date With Delhi 