Old Delhi, the streets, culture and crowd

Today I will write about Delhi, and when I say Delhi, I mean the real Delhi, which I know as Old Delhi. We often hear about this city in the news of the country and the world about Delhi, but how many of you know about Delhi, the real Delhi, a city with close to 30 million people?

 

Old Delhi The Indian capital is also known for its crowded lanes, which exude historical beauty in every corner, be it the famous Parantha Wali Gali or the Chandni Chowk near Jama Masjid. The air of this tiny world nestled between the busy streets of Delhi is steeped in the glory of its past.

Despite being a Delhiite, I can't say I have seen all of Old Delhi. There are mainly two reasons, one, I was out of town for most of my younger days, and secondly, I never had enough time to roam around all the lanes, which were always full of crowds with people from different places in the world.

Delhi has been the center of the country's political, cultural, and industrial axis since ancient times. And even today, no matter how much progress our country has made or how much civilization has developed. We all have also changed our ways of living. But Old Delhi has still kept a lot of things the same.

Even while walking in these old streets of Delhi, our shoulders rubbing with the strangers or when you feel a lack of cleanliness. Even if we see the crowded streets with more people than necessary, this is the identity of this place.

Most of us old inhabitants of Old Delhi do not have the same feel as we used to have in the last couple of decades, but still these streets will pull us and remind us of their old glory. And sir, these are old streets, but there is hardly anything in the world that you will not find here.

The old houses of Old Delhi still attract your attention. The laughter and banter in the streets, the aroma of spices, the smell of delicious food, the crowd—what a time it must have been when these streets were even more colorful.

I want to take you to these old streets today:

Ballimaran is the area where the famous poet Mirza Ghalib used to live. Today, his old mansion is here. Which has now been converted into a museum. However, once famous for shoe trading in bulk, there are no shoes traded here anymore, not in bulk at least. But this was one of the most famous streets of Old Delhi because Mirza Ghalib, the famous poet, spent his last days in this very street.

Dariba Kala—This was also a famous street of Old Delhi. Women from far and wide used to come here to buy silver jewelry. Even now, there is a lot of silver business here. Apart from silver jewelry, silver idols are also available. You will find all kinds of jewelry used in weddings here.

Paranthe Wali Gali— How can food lovers forget this street? Here you will find different kinds of parathas and lassi (curd smoothie). The food here is something out of this world.

You know how famous the food of this street is, as your visit to this street in Delhi cannot be complete without eating something from this street. This street is considered the heaven for food lovers.

Imamiya Gali—When the ancestors of Shahi Imam (posted by the king) came to Delhi during the Mughal period, they stayed in this street. Later, due to the people of Imam's family, this street was named Gali Imamiya or Imam Gali.

Gali Imliya—It is said that earlier there used to be a small hill in Old Delhi. There was also a tamarind tree on this small hill. There was a street on the slope of this hill. Which was called Imliya Gali. Now there is no hill. That tamarind tree is no more here, but the name of the street is still Imliyan Gali.

Singa Wali Gali—It is said that once a Hakim used to live in this street. He was quite famous for his unique style of treatment. He used to treat almost all patients with a singa of goat (goat's horn). This street was named Singa Wali Gali after the name of that Hakim.

Akhada Wali Gali—As it sounds from the name itself, there used to be dozens of wrestling arenas in this street. Wrestlers from all over the country and the world used to come here to learn to wrestle. Although now there are not as many wrestling arenas left here. But still some wrestlers live on this street and run their own wrestling arenas. Now gyms have replaced wrestling arenas, but the place is still Akahada wali gali (the wrestlers' area street).

Masalchi Gali—The royal dish makers of the Mughal court used to live in this street. Even now some old family cooks live here. They have preserved their heritage. But it is not the same as it was during the Mughal period, but the street is still called Masalchi Gali.

Delhi Gharana Gali—Delhi Gharana had its own place in the world of music. Once, the sound of music could be heard in this street. Almost all types of musical instruments were available here. And the art of playing them was heard and taught here. Now, neither the singers nor the players are there, but this street is still fighting for its existence.

All said and done, I can only say that today we can only see fragments of this lost heritage, or red light, or flesh trade center in this area, which was once the hub of cultural events like classical concerts, mushairas, and qawwalis (Concerts and poetry recital).

These streets have their own history. And I can say with confidence that if you say that you have seen Delhi. But if you have not roamed in the narrow streets of Old Delhi, then you have not seen the real Delhi

I can only say that these streets, although too crowded to walk yet attract a large number of people from around the world for their specialties in select items. I am sure these streets will offer their visitors something unique not found in its twin, the New Delhi. For instance, today is the kites' day in North India.

We all know the city of Delhi has been destroyed so many times, but it has come back to life every time. However, these streets have preserved their existence untouched by all the destruction. These are not just lanes. These streets are a living history of Old Delhi.

Note: Gali means street.
Image all mine.