#SepcialReport : Walking through Mirza Ghalib’s haveli and Mughal ruins of Old Delhi
JIBRAN NAZIR (PHOTO/VIDEO SAURABH SHRIVASTAVA) TENNEWS
A haphazard mesh of wires and cables running above the narrow streets is resting place of hundreds of pigeons. A loud as and distorted ambience from vendors in this densely crowded area of Old Delhi has now become a permanent feature. This is Chandni Chowk, a place of great historic and cultural significance.
Known for its world famous people monument built during Mughal reign, the place also holds a rich literary significance. When one thinks of such paces, it is not likely that one would not make mention of ‘Ghalib’s Koti’.
Mirza Assadullah Khan Ghalib is one of the most prominent poets of Urdu, whose contribution has revolutionized the language in its own way. His couplets have now become a part and parcel of everyday language not only Urdu-speaking but it has its impact on the entire south Asian region.
Ghalib’s Koti or Ghalib Memorial is his house where he spent last ten years of his life, 1860 – 1869. The house was given to him by last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zaffar.
Throughout history, multiple rulers have lived their dreams of establishing an empire in India. Most of them made Delhi the centre of their rule and their Capital. As rulers changed and empires transformed, so did the names of Delhi — which is why today Delhi is known as the City of Seven Towns.
Delhi’s first town was Shahar Rai Pithora, which was established by King Rai Pithora in 1052 AD. The second town was Siri that came up during the reign of Allauddin Khilji in 1303 AD. Siri was followed by Tughlakabad, established by Gyasuddin Tughlak in 1321 AD, and Jahanpanah, Mohammad Bin Tughlak’s Capital in 1334 AD. The fifth town, Ferozabad, was founded by Feroze Shah Tughlak in 1530 AD. Deen Panah Sher Garh was built by Sher Shah Suri, and it was later ruled over by emperor Humayun. The seventh town was founded in Shahjahanbad by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 AD.
Besides these names, Delhi has also been known as as Dahalia, Dehlalai, Yognipura, Hazrat Delhi and Dahlu. In one sher(couplet), Amir Khusaro, while addressing Jalaluddin Feroze Shah, called the city ‘Dahloo’.
Shah Jehan was the son of Emperor Jehangir who had stuck to the Mughal Capital of Agra. After Jehangir, Shah Jehan became the king.
To make Delhi the Mughal Capital and many a time he came over here to see the town of Deen-e-Panah (Humayun’s Capital in Delhi). And so the Red Fort was built. It was the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857.
On the orders of Shah Jehan in 1650 AD, the town’s walls were built in soil and stone at the then cost of Rs. 1,50,000. However, due to heavy rains, the walls began to crack in several places the very next year. Shah Jehan then ordered that the wall be remade in lime and stone, a process that took seven years and cost Rs. 4,00,000. The wall was 6,664 yards long, four yards wide and nine yards high, and comprised of 14 darwaaze (gates).
However, the building that were once mesmerizing with exotic Persian and East Asian Architecture – became a part of Indian diverse tradition and history – now wear a gloomy look, lying in a dilapidated condition, craving for authority’s attention.
