Feb 18, 2004 11:11 AM
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(Updated Feb 18, 2004 11:40 AM)
I first saw old delhi when I was 5 years old. At that time there was not much of traffic as it is today. Earlier there used to be an open motorcycle with the space for carrying passengers called Phatpahat Sewa.
Old Delhi consist of following places
Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Fateh Puri, Ballimaran, Kashmere gate, nai sarak, khari baoli, Sita ram bazar, Dariya ganj, Chawri Bazar, Sadar Bazar etc.
Brief Introduction
Old delhi was established in 16th Century during the reign of ShahJehan. There were a handful of traders when it was built but it grew as the time passed. In those times An aqueduct to receive water from this stream that ran throughout Chandni Chawk and joined at the Najafgarh aqueduct, can still be seen in Ahsanullah Khan ki Haveli at Hauz Qazi.
The watercourses culminated at a central point with provisions for a fountain. The most scenic part of the havelis used to be the barahdari that were arches often with wetted screens of khus (perfume). These were used mostly in the months of the sweltering heat.
Wholesale & Retail Markets
Old delhi is the hub of major trade items. Some of them are
1.Chandni Chowk-Sarees
2.Kashmere Gate-Spices
3.Sadar Bazar-Crackers
4.Nai sarak-Books & Stationary
5.Khari Baoli-Spices
6.Bhagirath Place-Electrical Items
7.Lajpat Rai Market-Electronics
8.Swami Shraddha Nand Marg-Water Parts
Apart of them you can also get gramophone records, medical equipments etc from old delhi.
Heritage Places
Havelis
The major havelis include Seth Chhunnamal ki Haveli, Hakeem Ahsanullah Khan ki Haveli, Haksar ki Haveliwhere Pt Jawaharlal Nehru got married to Kamala Nehru, Namak Haram ki Havelinamed after a traitor Bhuwani Shankar in Chandni Chawk, Haveli Zeenat Mahal, named after Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar's domineering queen, Mirza Ghalib ki Haveli, Haveli Hissamuddin Haider at Ballimaran to name a few. Except Chunnamal Id Haveli, most of the havelis are on the point of ruin.
Monuments
The major of them are
1.Jama Masjid-Biggest Mosque in Asia
2.Red Fort-Built in 1639 by Shahjehan
3.Sis Ganj Gurudawara-Martyerdom place of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.
4.Jain Temple
5.Others include Moti Masjid,Ghata Masjid,Qudsia Bagh,Khooni Darwaza etc.
Religion
Except Christians people of all the three religions trade here.
Delicacies & Food Points
Now I come to the most important facet.Old delhi is known for offering choicest of Delicacies since ancient points. I am summarising briefly.
1.Paranthe Wali Gali
This place in Chandni Chowk is serving hot paranthas prepared from desi ghee.All types of Paranthas are served here.
2.Annapurna Sweets
Established in 1912, this place near fountain is offering choicest Bengali sweets.It also offers typical samosas prepared from Desi Ghee.
3.Ghantewala Halwai
This place is crowned of the oldest shop in delhi since 1780.It offers all kind of sweets but its Chhole Bhature and Kachori Alu are lip smacking.
4. Chat at Bazar Sitaram
I think the best of the best chat can be had here offering Chat Papri, Laccha Tokri, Desi Ghee tikki, Moong Pakori etc.
5. Haldirams
The renowned name offering delicious sweets, namkeens, shakes, snacks etc.
6. Imarati wala
This place in chandni chowk is offering imarati, jalebi prepared from desi ghee along with hot milk.
Apart from that you can also have kulche chhole, dahi bhalla and kulfi at Nai sarak.
In the last I would only say old delhi has its own heritage and we have to preserve it.
