Chandni Chowk Explained

Chandni Chowk
Settlement Type:Neighborhood of Delhi
Pushpin Map:India New Delhi#India
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Delhi, India
Coordinates:28.656°N 77.231°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:India
Subdivision Type1:Union Territory
Subdivision Name1:Delhi
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Central Delhi
Subdivision Type3:Metro
Subdivision Name3:Chandni Chowk
Established Date:1650
Unit Pref:Metric
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Hindi, Urdu
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:110 006
Website:https://delhitourism.travel/chandni-chowk-delhi
Blank3 Name Sec1:Planning agency
Blank3 Info Sec1:MCD

The Chandni Chowk (meaning Moonlight Square) is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, India. It is located close to the Old Delhi Railway Station. The Red Fort monument is located at the eastern end of Chandni Chowk. It was built in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, and designed by his daughter, Jahanara. The market was once divided by canals (now closed) to reflect moonlight. It remains one of India's largest wholesale markets.[1] [2]

History

The market's history dates to the founding of the capital city of Shahjahanabad when Emperor Shah Jahan established the Red Fort on the banks of the Yamuna River besides his new capital.

Original Chandni Chowk

The original Chandni Chowk, half-moon-shaped square, was located in front of the Municipal Townhall and its reflection used to shine in the moonlit water pool located in front of it. A shallow water channel was built from Yamuna, which ran through the middle of the straight road currently known as the Chandani Chowk bazaar, with roads and shops on either side of the channel. This road had three bazaars.[3] Chandni Chowk, or the Moonlight Square, and its three bazaars were designed and established by Princess Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter, in 1650. Originally containing 1,560 shops, the bazaar was 40 yards wide by 1,520 yards long.[4] The bazaar shaped as a square was given elegance by the presence of a pool in the centre of the complex. The pool shimmered in the moonlight, a feature which was responsible for its name.[5] Shops were originally built in a half-moon shaped pattern, now lost. The bazaar was famous for its silver merchants, which also have contributed to the name of "Silver Street"[6] as silver is referred to as Chandi in Hindi, a slight variation of which forms Chandni.

The pool in the chowk was replaced by a clock tower (Ghantaghar) in the 1870s. The centre of the market is still referred to as Ghantaghar. Chandni Chowk was once the grandest Indian market.[7] Mughal imperial processions passed through Chandni Chowk. The tradition was continued when the Delhi Durbar was held in 1903. Delhi Town Hall was built in 1863 by the British.

Original three bazaars

The term Chandni Chowk originally referred only to the square that had a reflecting pool. Now the whole straight road which runs through the middle of the walled city, from the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid is called Chandni Chowk. The road was then divided into three following bazaars:[8] [3]

Now choked with congestion, the market retains its historical character.

Kucha, katra and havelis

The road now called Chandni Chowk had several streets running off it which were called kuchas (streets/wings). Each Kucha usually had several katras (cul de sac or guild houses), which in turn had several haveli's. The following terms are generally used to describe the buildings and the streets:[9]

Some other commonly used terms are Chatta (the upper floor which arches over the street below), phatak (door, usually to a katra or street which could be locked at night), mahal (a palace, as in Taj Mahal), kamra (a room), kuan is waterwell, etc.[10]

Historic religious buildings

Delhi's most famous mosque, Jama Masjid, built-in 1650 in the vicinity, is near other religious shrines, belonging to multiple religions. Starting from the Red Fort, the buildings include:

Present

On both sides of the wide Chandni Chowk are historical residential areas served by narrow lanes (gali), several of which are teeming with the peddlers, street vendors, street food and bazaars.

Shops

Chandni Chowk's speciality is its variety and authenticity: food, delicacies and sweets of more than 1,000 kinds, sarees with chikan and zari. Narrow lanes host shops that sell books, clothing, electronics, consumer goods, shoes and leather goods. It is the location of the original Haldiram's and brands such as Giani's.[22] A particular local delicacy is the jalebis, which are fried in pure ghee (clarified butter).

Starting from the Red Fort end one finds the State Bank of India building. A short distance away is Bhagirath Palace Begum Samru[23] which has an intriguing history. Bhagirath Palace and the adjoining area have perhaps the biggest market in India for electrical goods, lamps and light fixtures.Also for medical essentials and related products. Dariba Kalan is the market for silver and gold jewellery. This market also offers trophies, shields, mementos and related items. At its Southern end (and close to the Jama Masjid, Delhi) is Bazaar Guliyan where about a hundred shops selling metallic and wooden statues, sculptures, bells, handicrafts are located. Nai Sarak is the wholesale market for stationery, books, paper and decorative materials. Chawri Bazar is a big market for greeting and wedding cards as well as plumbing and sanitary ware and accessories. Lal Kuan is a wholesale market for hardware and hotel kitchen equipment. Located at the western end of Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli is a street entirely dedicated to all kinds of spices, dried fruits, nuts, herbs, grains, lentils, pickles and preserves/murabbas. Tilak Bazaar is a wholesale market for industrial chemicals. The Cloth Market supplies home furnishing fabrics, including ready-made items as well as design services.

Restaurants and eateries

Chandni Chowk is home to several notable restaurants and (confectioners), most well known among them is Gali Paranthe Wali.[24]

In popular culture

Chandni Chowk was featured in the 2001 Bollywood film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham where the leading lady Anjali (Kajol) and her sister Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) lived.

In 2008, The Bollywood movie Black & White starring Anil Kapoor, Anurag Sinha, Shefali Chhaya, and Aditi Sharma is set in Chandni Chowk.

In 2009, The Bollywood movie Chandni Chowk to China starring Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Mithun Chakraborty, and Ranvir Shorey features some scenes depicting the city. In 2009, The Bollywood movie Delhi-6 starring Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Om Puri, Atul Kulkarni and Divya Dutta had its shooting in the ancient Walled City of Old Delhi, centered around Chandni Chowk.

In 2016, The Bollywood movie Saat Uchakkey starring Manoj Bajpayee, Kay Kay Menon, Annu Kapoor, Vijay Raaz, Anupam Kher, Jatin Sarna, Aparshakti Khurana and Aditi Sharma was completely shot in and around Chandni Chowk.

In 2018, the Bollywood movie Rajma Chawal starring Amyra Dastur, Rishi Kapoor, Aparshakti Khurana, Raja Hasan, Mukesh Chhabra, Nirmal Rishi, Harish Khanna had its extensive section of the film shot in Lachu Ram Ki Haveli.[31]

In 2019, the Bollywood movie The Sky Is Pink starring Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Suresh Saraf was partially shot in Chandni Chowk as the main characters of the story, Priyanka and Farhan lived here.[32]

Redevelopment

Chandni Chowk was redeveloped as heritage trail to promote tourism getting inspiration from Heritage Street Amritsar.[33] Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation, under the auspices of the Government of the NCT of Delhi, is the agency carrying out this task. The redevelopment plan includes footpaths to make the area more pedestrian-friendly for a large number of shoppers and visitors. No motorized traffic will be allowed on Chandni Chowk from Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid in the day time. Roads are also planned to be decongested and some will be barricaded. People who want to come there will have to use the Ebus. The redevelopment plan was supposed to have been completed before the 2010 Commonwealth Games but has been delayed for various reasons. Delhi government is now pushing it seriously. The redevelopment plan is being implemented under Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The Plan also includes extra parking for 1500 cars.

As a part of the redevelopment, a multilevel parking cum commercial complex is coming up at Gandhi Maidan in Chandni Chowk. The project was inaugurated by Union minister of science and technology, Dr. Harshvardhan.[34]

This multilevel parking cum commercial complex would be an eight-storeyed building with three basements covering 18,524 square meter area at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore on a PPP model with a Leading Real estate developer Omaxe. The project that has a capacity to accommodate over 2,300 cars.[35]

References

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Delhi - 100 years as the Capital. https://web.archive.org/web/20110616135042/http://www.hindu.com/yw/2011/02/01/stories/2011020150210200.htm. dead. 16 June 2011. The Hindu. 1 February 2011.
  2. Web site: Pin Code of Chandni Chowk Delhi . citypincode.in . 9 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081001/http://www.citypincode.in/PinCodeOf.jsp?area=Chandni%20Chowk%20&district=North%20Delhi . 1 December 2017 . dead .
  3. https://everythingcandid.com/2016/02/08/a-heritage-photowalk-in-old-delhi-with-liddle-sisters/ A heritage walk of Old Delhi
  4. Book: Blake, Stephen P.. Women in the medieval Islamic world : Power, patronage, and piety. St. Martin’s Press. 1998. 0312224516. New York. 420. Contributors to the urban Landscape: Women builders in Safavid Isfahan and Mughal Shahjahanabad.
  5. Web site: Chandani CHowk history . 7 June 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131021021156/http://www.chillibreeze.com/articles/ACulinaryCruise.asp . 21 October 2013 . dead.
  6. I. Mohan: Delhi, Development and Change, APH Publishing, 2000, Chapter 8, p. 33-35
  7. Web site: chandnichauk. www.columbia.edu. 2020-04-21.
  8. Encyclopaedic Survey of Islamic Culture: Growth & Development, Mohamed Taher, Anmol Publications, 1998.
  9. Web site: Chandni Chowk: Landmarks & Monuments. https://web.archive.org/web/20071118150017/http://www.chandnichowk.com/landmark2.htm. dead. 2007-11-18. 2007-11-18. 2020-04-21.
  10. https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/jCDl9CGtowdefkZgFdYD8L/Heritage--The-Old-Delhi-dictionary.html Heritage | The Old Delhi dictionary
  11. Web site: Delhi: Chandni Chowk gold trading hub next in line for sealing. 28 June 2019. Paras. Singh. The Times of India. en. 2020-04-21.
  12. Havelis of Old Delhi/Text by Pavan K. Varma and Sondeep Shankar. Reprint, First published in 1992. New Delhi, Bookwise, 1999.
  13. Web site: 4 Star Hotels in Karol Bagh Hotel in Karol Bagh Hotel Amrapali Grand. www.amrapalihotel.com. 2020-04-21.
  14. Web site: Collect Britain has moved . https://web.archive.org/web/20081212182622/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019ADDOR0005475U00047VRB&largeimage=1#largeimage . dead . 12 December 2008 . Collectbritain.co.uk . 30 November 2003 . 30 December 2013 .
  15. Web site: Haveli to speak of a history lost in time . The Times of India. 21 December 2015 . 21 December 2015.
  16. https://www.thequint.com/voices/blogs/haksar-haveli-jawaharlal-nehru-married-kamala-death-anniversary Crumbling Haksar Haveli, Delhi-6: Where Nehru Went to Marry Kamla Nehru
  17. http://www.the-south-asian.com/June2001/General_Musharraf's_Haveli.htm Haveli Naharvali
  18. Web site: Khazanchi Haveli. Times of India Travel. 2020-04-21.
  19. Web site: Naughara Gali. Horton. Patrick. 2016-11-21. Bindu Trips. en-US. 2020-04-21.
  20. Web site: Naughara . 2020-04-21. On the Grid. en. 2020-04-21.
  21. Web site: Gauri Shankar Temple. 5 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721154515/http://d2i.in/visit/Gauri-Shankar-Temple_Chandni-Chowk_Delhi-NCR_Pilgrimage/2665. 21 July 2011. dead.
  22. Web site: Home. Gianis. 2020-04-21.
  23. Web site: Bhagirath Palace: Begum Samru's forgotten haveli in Old Delhi. 2019-03-08. The Statesman. en-US. 2020-04-21.
  24. https://web.archive.org/web/20110617113008/http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2008/sep/280908-Features-Sweets-roza-Chandni-Chowk.htm Chowk and cheese
  25. Web site: Frozen paranthas posing a challenge to Paranthewali Gali fare. Swamy. K. R. N.. 2002-11-10. The Tribune. 2020-04-21.
  26. Web site: Annapurna Bhandar Mithai in Chandni Chowk, Delhi/NCR.Annapurna Bhandar Restaurant in Chandni Chowk,Delhi/NCR . Timescity . 30 December 2013.
  27. Web site: Delhi restaurants guide in India's premier youth magazine. www.abraxasnu.com. 30 August 2014 . en-US. 2018-11-13.
  28. Web site: City Food – Hazari Lal Jain Khurchan Wale, Kinari Bazaar. 2019-07-01. The Delhi Walla. en-US. 2020-04-21.
  29. Web site: Shiv Misthan Bhandar. 2018-03-21. Delhi Food Walks. en-US. 2020-04-21.
  30. Web site: Old Famous Jalebi Wala: Chandni Chowk's Must-Visit Shop for Every Jalebi Lover. NDTV Food. 2020-04-21.
  31. Web site: Inside Bollywood's obsession with Chandni Chowk. www.khaleejtimes.com.
  32. Web site: Search results . www.google.com.
  33. Web site: Walk at your own risk in Delhi's Chandni Chowk . Hindustan Times . 2019-03-24 . 2020-08-12.
  34. Web site: Gandhi Maidan parking in Delhi's Chandni Chowk finally takes off. 2019-03-06. Hindustan Times. en. 2020-04-21.
  35. Web site: Breather for Chandni chowk urban art body clears Gandhi maidan parking. The Times of India. https://web.archive.org/web/20191105091501/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/breather-for-chandni-chowk-urban-art-body-clears-gandhi-maidan-parking/articleshow/69333159.cms. 5 November 2019. dead.