Ghalib ki Haveli makes for a must-visit

Place: Ghalib Ki Haveli, Delhi

Location: 28°39’16″N and 77°13’33″E

Where: 2469, Gali Captain, Baradari, Ballimaran, Delhi. The nearest metro station is Chandni Chowk on the Yellow Line. Take an exit from Gate No 1, and walk towards Nai Sarak. From there ask locals about Ballimaran. You can also take an e-rickshaw from the metro station

When to visit: The visiting hours are 11 am to 6 pm. It remains closed on Monday and gazette holidays

हाथों की लकीरों पे मत जा ऐ ग़ालिब

नसीब उनके भी होते हैं जिनके हाथ नहीं होते।

These are famous lines by Mirza Ghalib, a 19^th-century Urdu poet. He is one of the most quoted and celebrated Urdu poets of India. The house where he lived – popularly referred to as Ghalib Ki Haveli – is located in the Gali Qasim Jan, Ballimaran, and was given to him by Hakim, a physician who was an enthusiast of Ghalib’s poetry. After the poet died in 1869, Hakim used to sit there every evening, not allowing anyone to enter the building.

The haveli is a major tourist attraction, especially for those who are interested in Urdu poetry or India’s history. It is a two-storey building with a courtyard in the middle. The haveli reflects the period when the Mughal era was on the decline in India. The walls of the haveli are adorned with the poet’s couplets and his portrait.

Ghalib lived in this haveli for a long time after he came from Agra. While staying here, he wrote his Urdu and Persian diwans. After Ghalib’s death, the place housed shops inside it until the Delhi Government acquired a portion of it and renovated it. It was given a special touch with the use of Mughal Lakhori bricks, sandstone, and a wooden entrance gate to recreate the 19^th-century period and converted it into a museum.

The museum exhibits a variety of items related to Ghalib’s life and work, including his books, manuscripts, paintings, and personal belongings. There is also a library and a research center at the museum.

Why visit the haveli?

1.       It is built in the typical Mughal style of architecture, with red sandstone walls and a sloping roof.

2.       The courtyard is the central feature of the haveli. It is surrounded by rooms on all sides.

3.       The rooms are small and simply furnished. They were used by Ghalib and his family for living, sleeping, and receiving guests.

4.       The haveli also has a library, a prayer room, and a kitchen.

5.       It is a valuable historical and cultural asset.

6.       It is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of Delhi and the life and work of one of India’s greatest poets.

7.       The haveli has retained its old-world charm, with period furnishings and decor that transport visitors back in time.

8.       For aspiring poets and writers, Ghalib Ki Haveli can be a great source of inspiration, offering a glimpse into the environment that nurtured Ghalib’s creativity.

9.       The haveli often hosts cultural events, poetry readings, and art exhibitions, making it a hub for enthusiasts of literature and art.