Of Tawaifs, Bankers and Perfumers - Reading Sub-Imperial Lives in Mughal Delhi

Shahjanabad, popularly known as Purani Dilli, is a collage of the many lives that were lived here across centuries. Over three hours, we will walk down the alleys and by-lanes of the city and explore the lives of courtesans, bankers, princesses, merchants, travellers, perfumers and poets, who were close to the limelight but never in it. By knitting together individual histories of disparate characters like Jahanara and Chandar Bhan Brahman, we will attempt to weave a larger fabric of the Mughal elite culture that goes beyond the four walls of the imperial court.

During this curated experience, we will walk through historical havelis, from Begum Samru’s Haveli to Fatehpuri Masjid, and try to resurrect the dead by reading their lingering afterlives inscribed in architecture, motifs, letters, fragrances, sounds, and popular memory.

Stories will leap out of the havelis on Dariba Kalan in Chandni Chowk, from the letters of counsel from a father to his son, from the fragrance of bottled monsoon, from domed Shiva temples, and the aazaan of a Begum's mosque. Purani Dilli will engulf us as we explore its nooks and crannies. Together, we will give in to its wondrous ways.

Disclaimer: These events have been aggregated from third party sources. India Heritage Walks would not be responsible for the content or services of these parties.
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Delhi
Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir
Organized By:
India Curated
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