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A Walk Around Town Hall and Mirza Ghalib’s Haveli

The imperial city of Shahjahanabad was established in the mid-seventeenth centruy by the emperor Shahjahan as his capital. Over the last more than three and a half centuries it has seen many changes - new buildings have of course replaced many of the older ones, but also new roads have been built, and ultilization of space has changed. This walk-route goes past buildings and areas that are representative of every period in the history of Shahjahanabad. The Fatehpuri masjid is a royal mosque as old as the city itself. Haveli Haider Quli represents the power and splendour of the nobility during the later Mughal period. The haveli of Chunnamal recalls the wealth of the banking and trading classes that allied themselves with the East India Company’s government in Delhi. The Town Hall marks the heyday of the British Raj. Ballimaran represents, in its dominance of hakims and the home of one of the greatest poets of the country, the strong traditions of learning and culture associated with the city of Delhi. The present is by no means missing in this lively commercial and residential centre. The fascinating dry fruits, nuts, spice and condiments market of Khari Baoli beside Fatehpuri masjid is of particular interest. The area around Fatehpuri is also known for its street food.

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