Old Delhi or Shahjahanabad has evolved dramatically from its inception in the 17th century. Tracing its journey using archival imagery and paintings provides a unique glimpse into the area’s urban evolution. In this blog, let’s dive deep into it’s exquisite and fascinating evolution.
The Magnificent New Capital
In 1638, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan established Shahjahanabad as his imperial capital with the Red Fort and Jama Masjid as its grand centrepieces.
Do you know European travellers in the 1600s called it “Delhi’s newest marble wonder”? Early paintings depict spacious streets, lively bazaars, and imposing architecture.
You will be amazed to know Shahjahanabad was planned to be a replica of paradise on Earth based on Islamic geometry and patterns! The Yamuna river flowed along its eastern edge.
By the mid-1700s, Shahjahanabad was a thriving metropolis attracting merchants, soldiers and labourers. The imperial vision had flourished into reality.
Western Influences Emerge
Post the 1857 Revolt, the British relocated the capital to Calcutta. Delhi became a regional centre in the British Raj.
You will be surprised to know Old Delhi railway station was built in 1864 combining Mughal, Gothic and Victorian styles, reflecting changing architectural tastes.
Not only that, the early 1900s saw Western style bungalows, stables, and barracks built around Kashmiri Gate. Paintings show imposing colonial buildings dwarfing Old Delhi’s crumbling walls.
The 1911 Delhi Durbar saw grand construction like Coronation Park. This period saw Shahjahanabad lose its stature to imperial New Delhi.
Remnant of the Past
Today Old Delhi stands somewhat frozen in time, still clinging to its past identity. Though now congested with traffic and commerce, certain pockets like Chandni Chowk retain their heritage character.
Do you know the government prohibited large demolitions here after outrage over the destruction of old structures in the 1970s-80s? Efforts to pedestrianise streets are reviving its past ambiance.
While overpopulated and fraying at the edges, contemporary Old Delhi continues to fascinate as a site of enduring history.
Visiting Old Delhi today, one sees a patterned amalgam of old and new – ruins and messy streets interspersed with splendid monuments and colourful bazaars. Its eclectic urban landscape bears witness to its multi-layered past.
Old Delhi today is a delightful mess of contradictions. Packed streets buzzing with chaos surround ancient monuments frozen in time. The city carries the remnants of its past within its folds, like a grandmother’s treasure box.
As modernization threatens Old Delhi, we must not forget its history and heritage. Its havelis, palaces and gullies tell a story spanning centuries that must be preserved. The archival paintings and images of the past serve to remind us how this storied city has evolved over the ages, from imperial capital to modern urban jungle. Old Delhi’s fabric encapsulates the many lives of Delhi – if you look closely, you can trace its varied threads interwoven through time.
