KOER of Purani Dilli

Chandni Chowk is known for its narrow bylines, where tangles wires, broken roads, clustered shops, colourful hawkers, beautify Delhi-6. The concept of specialised markets has been in action in Chandni Chowk, much before bring printed in the strategic marketing books.

(Source: Original)

The unique maze of the streets, Kinari Bazaar is known for the diverse range of knick-knacks -beads, laces and buttons, Nai Sadak the market of textbooks and stationery, Katra Neel - ‘the material world’ of fabrics, Dariba Kalan the ‘Silver’ lane. The slimmest lanes of Bhagirathi Palace - are applauded as Asia’s largest wholesale market for electronic appliances. A photographer’s dream - Kucha Choudhary Market, colloquially known as the photo market, is a frame for vintage cameras to DSLR & Polaroids. Moving at its own pace, Chawri Bazaar, destination for dreamy royal wedding cards, is a lane full of different paper piles, antique Brass and copper souvenirs. Spiciest of the lanes - Khari Baoli - is full of rich Indian spices, dried fuits, nuts and savoury herbs.

(Source left to right: Homegrown, Indian Express, Farbound)

Chandni chowk as the name suggests, was a chowk (a square centre), established by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan around 400 years ago. A one stop destination for his daughter, Jahanara, where she would get all her glorious fancies, Chandni chowk continues to be regarded as the heart of Shahjahanabad then and Old Delhi now.

(Source: Original)

The town is said to have lost its charm of the moon lit Yamuna and the grace of ‘Jahan Ara’, however it still has the vigour to cater to the 21st century consumer. As I gaze at the heavy rusted doors with Urdu engravings, glance up at the Mughal jali work balconies, a treasure of ancient Indian architecture, layout and plan, it takes me to the imaginary fancies of the times of my Koer.