Category: History

“Khidki se Dilli” – Exploring the lesser-known trail

Saket, which is now synonymous with glitzy malls, global brands, and a swankier lifestyle, was once dotted by beautiful medieval structures stretching from the Qutub to Chirag Delhi, comprising of the fourth city of Delhi – “Jahanpanah”.

Delhi Karavan will take you to the unknown alleys of the Khirki Village, where the Khirki Masjid, ‘The Window Mosque’ still stands tall amidst a crowd of urbanity, like a breath of fresh air! The next stop would be Sheikh Yusuf Katal Tomb. Still off the usual heritage circuit, this 16th century Lodhi era tomb is hidden away and even difficult to locate on Google. We shall further move to the Satpula Dam, the seven arched waterways of the medieval period, showing the excellent canal system that existed during the Tughlaq’s Sultanate. Experience with us the aesthetic beauty of symmetry of these structures, the multitude of domes and the peace which surrounds the otherwise busy streets and traffic of the posh locales of South Delhi.

If time and logistics permit, we shall also attempt to visit the nearby Dargah of Chiragh e Dehlvi.

Places to be covered:

*Shaykh Usman Saiyah Tomb
* Khirki Masjid
* Sheikh Yusuf Katal Tomb
* Satpula
* Dargah of Roshan E Chirag Dehlvi (if time permits)

Total walking 3.5km

DAY, DATE & TIME: Sunday, 16th Dec, 2018, 9am to 12 noon
MEETING POINT: Main entrance of Select City Walk Mall

Language: Hindustani (Hindi)Urdu)

CHARGES: Rs. 300 per person

In case of any dikkat, please call us at 9818278665.

ESSENTIALS TO CARRY/WEAR:
1) Dress comfortably but conservatively keeping in mind the local religious sentiments because, if time permits, we may visit Chiragh Dilli Dargah . No shorts and skirts allowed. Also, please carry something to cover your head if you wish to go to the dargah
2) A bottle of water.

HOW TO REACH:
Nearest metro station is Malviya Nagar. A quick auto rickshaw ride from there will get you to the meeting point.
Please note that parking of vehicles might pose an issue as there’s no public parking space available (except for that of the malls), please consider the same in case you’re driving down.

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/213137589612782/

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The Changing Face of the Hauz Khas Complex : A Heritage Walk (9 Dec 2018)

The Changing Face of the Hauz Khas Complex : A Heritage Walk.

Popular as ‘HKV’, in today’s modern lingo, known more for it’s upscale cafés, high end boutiques, antique shops and a bustling hangout was once a repository of culture and knowledge. This charming site has seen several twists and turns with time; it housed a water reservoir built by Alauddin Khilji, converted into a battlefield ushering the beginning of the Tughluq dynasty and got an uplifting during Feroze Shah Tughluq’s reign as he built a Madrasa; a seminary of international repute. It also became his final resting place.

On 9th December, we will walk down these incidents with walk leader, Aditya Pathak and will discuss the peculiar architectural innovations of the Firozian times, which laid the foundation of Indo Islamic architecture.
We’ll also discuss a conjectural reconstruction of the place

The primary structures to be covered in the walk :
● Hauz e Alai
● Madrasa e Feroz Shahi
● A Medieval mosque with innovative architecture
● University Buildings.
● Feroze Shah Tughluqs tomb.

Walk leader : Aditya Pathak
Catch him in action on his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/adityapathakutube

Day and Date : 9th Dec’2018/Sunday

Timings : 9am to 11:30 am

Language : English/Hindi

Charges : ₹300

Contact number: 9818278665

Meeting Point : mein “Deer Park entrance (near Hauz Khas Village parking)”
Parking is available at the meeting Point.
The nearest metro station is Hauz Khas on the yellow line. Then take an auto to the meeting point. https://goo.gl/maps/PaG9YbRb4Go

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/364088394138826

New Heritage Tour : Qutub Complex

Come! Join us for this magnificent heritage tour at the Qutub Complex!

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The Red Taj Mahal!

A Red Taj Mahal standing tall within a Roman Catholic cemetery of #Agra – one of the most unique sites that we’ve visited! Unique in several ways .. check it out 🙂

The Story of Kohinoor the Blood Diamond! Part 2 of 2

 

Part 2 of 2 : the story of the Koh-e-Noor before it was named so!

The Curse behind the Sparkle: Koh e Noor the blood diamond!

Muhammad Shah rangeeley re sajna, tum bin mai kaa kaari badariya nit naa suhaawe!!

Aurangzeb was the sixth Mughal emperor, and after his death in 1707, as many as six more emperors would sit on the Peacock throne in the next 12 years. On the 10th of September, we shall discuss the period under Mohammad Shah ‘Rangila’, the cultural rennaissance of Delhi, the aftermath of Nadir Shah’s invasion and also how it was the rise of a dowager queen and a powerful eunuch nawab who became the proxy rulers after Rangeela’s death. We will also trace the journey of the most cursed jewel, the ‘Koh-i-Noor’.

The baithak will cover

● Masjid, and structures inside the Qudsia Bagh.

● Discussion on decline and weakening of Mughal empire during the 18th century.

● The proxy rulers of Delhi : Qudsia Begum & Nawab Jawed Khan.

● Interesting stories of the Koh-i-Noor and it’s journey from the mines of South India, to the Peacock throne, to Nader Shah, to Ranjit Singh’s turban to Queen Victoria’s crown.

Join us in discussing this interesting period of history with walk leader Bela Upadhyay

Day & Date : Sunday, 10th September/2017.

Time : 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

Venue : Qudsia Bagh. https://goo.gl/maps/aZ89kz2jAa92