Mirza Ghalib Haveli

Legendary Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib’s Hakimon ki Haveli is located at Gali Qasim Jaan in Ballimaran, Delhi. The great poet spent an important phase of his life here. This is the place where he spent many an hour lost in thoughts – penning down verses – verses that changed the world of Urdu poetry forever.

The Haveli is in shambles today and was being used as shops till December 1999 when Delhi Government acquired some parts of the Haveli and set up a Memorial Museum dedicated to Mirza Ghalib. The museum was inaugurated by the L.G. of Delhi, in presence of the State Chief Minister and was opened for visitors on 27th December, 2000 – the birth anniversary of Ghalib.

Great care and effort has been made so that the visitors can relive and experience the nineteenth century grandeur at the museum. It displays the letters of Ghalib written in his own hand, last photograph of the poet, chronology of events, selected couplets from his works, books and some personal belongings of the poet. As soon as one enters, a huge portrait of Mirza’s couplets in his own handwriting can be seen hung on the sidewall. The museum also houses a life size portrait of the poet in a realistic setting with a hookah in his hand. Portraits of Ustaad Zauq, Abu Zafar, Momin, and other noted contemporaries of Mirza can also be seen.

Mirza Ghalib Haveli, which was mute witness to the bloodshed during the Revolt of 1857, still stands tall. The Mughal style columns and bricks at the Haveli invoke memories of old times.

History:

Mirza Ghalib was a legendary classical Urdu and Persian poet of India. The writings of this 19th century poet are distinguished not only by creative excellence, but also by the in-depth knowledge of philosophy, ethics, theology, classical literature, grammar and history that they exhibit.

The famous Haveli of Mirza Ghalib is located in Gali Qasim Jaan in Ballimaran, Delhi. Ghalib lived in this Haveli for a long period of his life after he came from Agra. While staying at this Haveli, he wrote his Urdu and Persian ‘diwans’.

This lavish Haveli was built in traditional Mughal style of architecture and consisted of arched corridors on three sides enclosing an open courtyard. Some of the unique features of the Haveli were its Mughal Lakhori bricks, sandstone flooring, wooden entrance gate and chhajja in the courtyard. Over the centuries, the Haveli has been considerably renovated and in 1999 a memorial museum has been set up within the premises. Dedicated to the great poet, the museum houses various important things related to Mirza Ghalib, which provide a great insight into his life.

Fast – Facts:

An important Haveli in Delhi, Mirza Ghalib Haveli is the place where the famous Urdu poet, Mirza Ghalib spent the last phase of his life. A portion of this ancient Haveli was aquired by the Delhi Government in 1999 and that portion was conserved and restored to its original grandeur.

Location:

The Haveli is located at Gali Qasim Jaan in Ballimaran, one of by-lanes of the oldest street of Delhi, Chandni Chowk.

How to Reach:

Tourists can either reach the haveli by local buses that are readily available from various points within the city, or they can opt for auto rickshaws or metro rail.

Open: On all days

Admission: Free and open to all.

Timings: Sunrise to Sunset

Photography charges: nil

Nearest Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station

Nearest Metro Station: Delhi Main

Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport

Nearby Food Joints

Karim Hotel, Ghantewala sweet shop, food stalls near Jama Masjid, Paranthewali gali, Natraj hotel, Chor Bizarre of Broadway Hotel, Daryaganj’s Flora, Peshwari, Moti Mahal Restaurant, Worker’s canteen of Inter-State Bus terminal and many roadside food stalls.

Nearby Shopping Markets

Chandni Chowk (curios, souvenirs, silver and glass bead jewelry), Nai Sarak (books), Chor bazaar (electronic goods), Daryaganj book market (on Sunday) and Chatta Chowk in Red Fort (traditional and contemporary jewelry and handicrafts)

Nearby Attractions:

The Mirza Ghalib Haveli is located in Gali Qasim Jaan, near the corner of Ballimaran, one of the lanes of Chandni Chowk. An important historical monument, the haveli draws thousands of tourists all through the year who can’t but marvel at its sheer magnificence. There are also some other tourist destinations near Mirza Ghalib Haveli which are must visit places for all visitors. These are:  

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid – a marvelous specimen of the grandeur of Mughal Architecture, was built by emperor Shahjahan in 1656. Originally known as the Masjid-i-Jahanuma, it is the largest mosque in India.

Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk, located opposite the majestic Red Fort, is one of the oldest shopping avenues in Delhi. Your Delhi holiday would be incomplete without a trip to this vivacious market.

Salimgarh Fort

Salimgarh Fort was erected in 1546 by Salim Shah, son and successor of Sher Shah Suri. Built on an island of river Yamuna, this fort later came to be used as a state prison. The leaders of Indian National Army were imprisoned here in 1945. 

Kashmeri Gate

Kashmeri Gate is named so because it led to a pathway to Kashmir. Built in 1835, the gate first gained national importance when Indian freedom fighters fired volleys of cannon balls from this gate to the British and used the area as an assembling place for building war strategies.

St. James Church

Located ½ km from Kashmeri Gate, at the intersection of Church Road and Lothian Road, St. James Church was built in 1836 by the famous Colonel James Skinner in a Greek cross design. The beautiful church was said to be an imitation of St Paul’s Cathedral in London but according to Percival Spear the church was actually modeled on a church in Venice 

Dara Shikoh Library

The Dara Shikoh Library is located on the grounds of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. The building is of great historical importance because it was built by Shah Jahan’s son Dara Shikoh, and was later used as a residency by Sir David Ochterlony, the first British Resident of Delhi.

Mirza Ghalib Haveli

The Mirza Ghalib Haveli is a red sandstone mosque that is located on the western end of Chandini Chowk. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s wife Fatehpuri Begum in 1650. Lothian Cemetary 

Located on Lothian Road near Kashmeri Gate on the northeast side of the railway bridge, Lothian cemetery is the first British cemetery of Delhi. The members of Delhi’s Christian community were buried in this old cemetery from 1808 to 1867.

Rajghat

Situated on the bank of Jamuna River, Rajghat is an important historical place because Mahatma Gandhi’s last rites were performed here on 31st January, 1948. The memorial stone of Gandhi is square in shape and made of black stone.