The Revolt of 1857 marked a turning point in India’s history. While we often recall Bahadur Shah Zafar and the aftermath of the revolt, many powerful voices remain obscured. Among them was Begum Hazrat Mahal, who rose to power and ruled Awadh when Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta. Join us at Safdarjung’s Tomb […]
bharī hai dil meñ jo hasrat kahūñ to kis se kahūñsune hai kaun musībat kahūñ to kis se kahūñ We invite you to this karavan to witness a different character of Mehrauli in Spring. The Mughals once made this place their summer retreat to escape the scorching heat of north Delhi. For them, Mehrauli was […]
Begumpur holds the remains of Jahapanah, a city built by Muhammad bin Tughlaq as Delhi’s fourth capital. His rule was full of bold experiments, some of which failed, but it also led to new power centres like the birth of the Bahmani Empire in the Deccan. After Timur’s invasion of Delhi, many Sufi saints and […]
Every faith walks its own path. Many centuries ago, Amir Khusrau had noted that while our paths may appear different, each one seeks the same ultimate truth. This holds true more so now than ever when the the world is in turmoil. In these times of uncertainty, I invite you to join us at the […]
In Delhi’s bustling central district stands the Old Fort, or Purana Qila, once believed to be the site of the city’s oldest settlement inhabited by the Pandavas. This historical precinct has witnessed the rise and fall of many great empires as they jostled to leave their lasting imprint in the strategic heartland of Delhi. From […]
This weekend we will visit two heritage sites: first the dargah of Hazrat Sheikh Yusuf Qattal, a 16th-century Lodhi-era monument where, even today, during holi colours are offered at the saint’s tomb (mazar) as a mark of devotion. We will then make our way to the Satpula Dam — the seven arched water channels of […]
Join us this Saturday for iftar at Feroz Shah Kotla: The City of Jinns Our upcoming heritage walk sets out to explore a historical city from the Tughlaq era. The fifth city of Delhi, Feroz Shah Kotla, was built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354. The complex houses the ruins of a grand fortress, […]
The remnants of Lal Kot, the first fortress city of Delhi, stand as a testament to a rich history shaped by the Tomars, Chauhans, Mamluks, Khiljis, and other dynasties. Nestled between Vasant Kunj and Mehrauli, this ancient city conceals the often overlooked narratives of Delhi’s chequered past. Inhabiting its verdant outcrops are unique resident and […]
“Dak Bangle Ka Bhoot aur Anya Kahaniyan” This weekend, we invite you to join us at the estate of Metcalfe House in Mehrauli – a remarkable example of colonial adaptation of Mughal architecture – which came to be known as “Dil Kusha” (Delight of the Heart). Whether we perch ourselves on one of our favourite […]
Our next heritage walk will be at the third fortified city of Delhi: Tughlaqabad. Built in early fourteenth century by Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, the city once fell victim to a curse – a Sultan’s obsession turned calamity – that now haunts its abandoned ramparts. To pay an ode to […]
