Delhi 2018 - Haveli Dharampura Boutique Hotel
In many ways, Chandni Chowk reminds me of the Hutongs in Beijing. But while the Hutongs have been generally cleaned up and sanitized to appeal to the tourists - Chandni Chowk seems to wear its chaos and grittiness as a badge of honour.
Visiting now - it is easy to forget that these were neighbourhoods which developed around the seat of power - and grew to serve the needs of the royal families and its populace. As the Mughal empire crumbled - so have the area fallen mostly into disrepair - while miraculously remaining a living and breathing urban ghetto. It seems like the seed of the problem is rampant illegal construction - which the Government is trying desperately to manage.
Being an area that used to be occupied by court officials and elites of the Mughal Empire - it is not surprising that there are lots of hidden gems amidst the squalor. In fact, there are many old "Havelis" in the area - Mughal mansions that used to accommodate the elites. These are not modest houses but…
Visiting now - it is easy to forget that these were neighbourhoods which developed around the seat of power - and grew to serve the needs of the royal families and its populace. As the Mughal empire crumbled - so have the area fallen mostly into disrepair - while miraculously remaining a living and breathing urban ghetto. It seems like the seed of the problem is rampant illegal construction - which the Government is trying desperately to manage.
Being an area that used to be occupied by court officials and elites of the Mughal Empire - it is not surprising that there are lots of hidden gems amidst the squalor. In fact, there are many old "Havelis" in the area - Mughal mansions that used to accommodate the elites. These are not modest houses but…
