Chandni Chowk (Hindi: चाँदनी चौक, Punjabi: ਚਾਂਦਨੀ ਚੌਂਕ, Urdu: چاندنی چوک) originally meaning moonlit square or market, is one of the oldest and busiest markets in central north Delhi, India.
Contents [hide]1 History 2 Overview 3 Popular culture 4 See also 5 References 6 External links
[edit] HistoryChandni Chowk is the major street in the walled city of old Delhi, which was originally called Shah Jahanabad. The walled city which includes the Lal Qilla Red Fort of Delhi was established in 1650 AD, by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter Jahanara Begum Sahib, who also made significant contributions in the landscaping of her father's new capital of Shahjahanabad.
Chandni Chowk runs through the middle of the walled city, from the Lahori Darwaza (Lahore Gate) of the Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid. Originally a canal ran through the middle of the street as a part of the water supply scheme. It was originally divided into three sections[1]:
Lahori darwaza to Chowk Kotwali (near Gurdwara Shish Ganj): This section closest to the imperial residance, was called Urdu Bazar, i.e. the encampment market. The language Urdu got its name from this encampment. Ghalib noted the destruction of this market during the disturbances of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and its aftermath. Chowk Kotwali to 'Chandni Chowk': The term Chandni Chowk originally referred to the square that initially had a reflecting pool. It was replaced by a clock-tower (Ghant
aghar) that was damaged and demolished in the 1960s[2][3]. This section was originally called Johri Bazar. 'Chandni Chowk' to Fatehpuri Masjid: This was called the Fatehpuri Bazar. It is said that moonlight reflecting on its canal, earned it its name, 'Chandni (Moonlit) [4].
Chandni Chowk was once the grandest of the markets in India[5].
Chandni Chowk, Delhi, 1863-67.Even though today Chandni Chowk appears choked with congestion, it retains its historical character. The following terms are generally used to describle the buildings and the streets[6].
Haveli: a mansion. A normal Haveli would have a big courtyard (atrium) surrounded on four sides by spacious rooms and often another walled courtyard around the exterior as well. Kucha: a zone with houses whose owners shared some common attribute usually their mode of occupation. Hence the names Maliwara, the gardeners' neighborhood and Ballimaran, the oarsmen’s neighborhood. Katra: refers to a separate wing of tradesmen and craftsmen belonging to the same trade. They usually lived and work
ed together. A system similar to the Guild housing in Amsterdam.
[edit] OverviewThe area lies in the historically important Shahjahanabad, between the Lal Qila (The Red Fort) and Fatehpuri Masjid. On both sides of the wide Chandni Chowk streets are historical residential areas served by narrow lanes (galis).
With the most famous mosque of Delhi Jama Masjid (Delhi) built in 1644 in the vicinity, it is an unusual street that has several famous religious shrines, belonging to different religions, that coexist lending the street a genuine cultural harmony. Starting from the Red fort, the street has:
Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, established in 1656 with a bird hospital established in 1929. There is also a Naya Mandir built in 1807 near by in Dharampura, which was the first temple with a shikhar permitted. Hindu Gauri Shankar Temple built by a Maratha general Appa Gandgadhar in 1761. Christian Central Baptist Church built in 1814. Sikh Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib. The 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur and his followers Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Dyal Das and Bhai Sati Das were executed nearby by the Mughals in 1675 A.D. The permission to build the Gurdwara was given in 1783. Muslim Sunehri Masjid built in 1721 by Roshan-ud-Daula Zafar Khan in the reign of Mohammad Shah. The Persian invader Nadir Shah spent several hours on the top of the mosque on 11th March, 1739 to observe the Katl-e-Aam (the killing of everyone in sight) that he had orderd which resulted in 30,000 deaths. Muslim Fatehpuri Masjid built by Fatehpuri Begum in 1650, one of the queens of Shah Jahan. Chandni Chowk's speciality is the variety of its markets and their Indian-ness. From authentic Indian food, delicacies and sweets of more than 1,000 kinds, to sarees with Chikan and Zari work. There are lots of narrow lanes with many shops selling books, clothing, shoes and leather goods, electronic and consumer goods and what not. The area, even more so than the rest of the city, is very congested. This is also a good area for window shopping. It is the location of the original Haldiram's. A particular local delicacy are the Jalebis, which are fried in pure ghee (clarified butter).
Gali Parathe Wali in chandni chowk is known for its parathas, Dec 2006.Chandni Chowk is home to several famous restaurants/confectioners (Halwais).
The Ghantewala Halwai, established in 1790. Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle, established in 1940 Kanwarji Bhagirathmal Dalbijiwallah established in mid-19th century. Chaatwallah established in 1923 Bikaner Sweet Shop famous for rasmalai Gianiji ka Falooda famous for Rabri Falooda Paranthe wali Gali with paratha shops from 1875-1886[7] Meghraj and Sons’ a century old Chainaram established in 1948 Some of the historical mansions include:
Begum Samru's Palace of 1806 (see [2])now called Bhagirath Palace. Naughara mansions in Kinari Bazaar, 18th century Jain mansions. Khazanchi haveli Haveli of Mirza Ghalib
[edit] Popular culture A typically congested scene along Chawri Bazar in the Chandni Chowk area, March 2006.Chandni Chowk was featured in the 2001 Bollywood film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham where the leading lady Anjali (Kajol) and her sister Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) lived. Though portrayed as a neighborhood populated by a lower-class population, Chandni Chowk is shown to be a rich, cultural hub.
A rhyming Indian tongue twister (which perhaps goes back to the 1950s) in the film goes as follows:
चंदू के चाचा ने चंदू की चाची को चाँदनी चौक में चाँदनी रात में चाँदी के चम्मच से चटनी चटाई Chandu ke chacha ne Chandu ki chachi ko Chandni Chowk mein Chandni raat mein Chaandi ke chamach se Chatni chatayi The tongue twister uses the multiple meanings of the word Chandni (a girl's name, moonlit, silver) for poetic effect. This poem has अनुप्रास alankar (anupraas alankar) (repetition of similar sound, here ch) and यमक (yamak) अलंकार (alankar) (use of the same word in different places for generating different meanings).
Literal translation:
Chandu's uncle, To Chandu's aunt, In Chandni Chowk, On a moonlit night, With a silver spoon, Fed chutney. One of the main characters, Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) in the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, is identified when he says the tongue-twister (almost) correctly.
An old song recalling the clocktower (ghantaghar) that once stood in the center, and India's freedom struggle ([3] video search):
घंटाघर की चार घड़ी
Contents [hide]1 History 2 Overview 3 Popular culture 4 See also 5 References 6 External links
[edit] HistoryChandni Chowk is the major street in the walled city of old Delhi, which was originally called Shah Jahanabad. The walled city which includes the Lal Qilla Red Fort of Delhi was established in 1650 AD, by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter Jahanara Begum Sahib, who also made significant contributions in the landscaping of her father's new capital of Shahjahanabad.
Chandni Chowk runs through the middle of the walled city, from the Lahori Darwaza (Lahore Gate) of the Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid. Originally a canal ran through the middle of the street as a part of the water supply scheme. It was originally divided into three sections[1]:
Lahori darwaza to Chowk Kotwali (near Gurdwara Shish Ganj): This section closest to the imperial residance, was called Urdu Bazar, i.e. the encampment market. The language Urdu got its name from this encampment. Ghalib noted the destruction of this market during the disturbances of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and its aftermath. Chowk Kotwali to 'Chandni Chowk': The term Chandni Chowk originally referred to the square that initially had a reflecting pool. It was replaced by a clock-tower (Ghant
aghar) that was damaged and demolished in the 1960s[2][3]. This section was originally called Johri Bazar. 'Chandni Chowk' to Fatehpuri Masjid: This was called the Fatehpuri Bazar. It is said that moonlight reflecting on its canal, earned it its name, 'Chandni (Moonlit) [4].Chandni Chowk was once the grandest of the markets in India[5].
Chandni Chowk, Delhi, 1863-67.Even though today Chandni Chowk appears choked with congestion, it retains its historical character. The following terms are generally used to describle the buildings and the streets[6].
Haveli: a mansion. A normal Haveli would have a big courtyard (atrium) surrounded on four sides by spacious rooms and often another walled courtyard around the exterior as well. Kucha: a zone with houses whose owners shared some common attribute usually their mode of occupation. Hence the names Maliwara, the gardeners' neighborhood and Ballimaran, the oarsmen’s neighborhood. Katra: refers to a separate wing of tradesmen and craftsmen belonging to the same trade. They usually lived and work
ed together. A system similar to the Guild housing in Amsterdam.[edit] OverviewThe area lies in the historically important Shahjahanabad, between the Lal Qila (The Red Fort) and Fatehpuri Masjid. On both sides of the wide Chandni Chowk streets are historical residential areas served by narrow lanes (galis).
With the most famous mosque of Delhi Jama Masjid (Delhi) built in 1644 in the vicinity, it is an unusual street that has several famous religious shrines, belonging to different religions, that coexist lending the street a genuine cultural harmony. Starting from the Red fort, the street has:
Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, established in 1656 with a bird hospital established in 1929. There is also a Naya Mandir built in 1807 near by in Dharampura, which was the first temple with a shikhar permitted. Hindu Gauri Shankar Temple built by a Maratha general Appa Gandgadhar in 1761. Christian Central Baptist Church built in 1814. Sikh Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib. The 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur and his followers Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Dyal Das and Bhai Sati Das were executed nearby by the Mughals in 1675 A.D. The permission to build the Gurdwara was given in 1783. Muslim Sunehri Masjid built in 1721 by Roshan-ud-Daula Zafar Khan in the reign of Mohammad Shah. The Persian invader Nadir Shah spent several hours on the top of the mosque on 11th March, 1739 to observe the Katl-e-Aam (the killing of everyone in sight) that he had orderd which resulted in 30,000 deaths. Muslim Fatehpuri Masjid built by Fatehpuri Begum in 1650, one of the queens of Shah Jahan. Chandni Chowk's speciality is the variety of its markets and their Indian-ness. From authentic Indian food, delicacies and sweets of more than 1,000 kinds, to sarees with Chikan and Zari work. There are lots of narrow lanes with many shops selling books, clothing, shoes and leather goods, electronic and consumer goods and what not. The area, even more so than the rest of the city, is very congested. This is also a good area for window shopping. It is the location of the original Haldiram's. A particular local delicacy are the Jalebis, which are fried in pure ghee (clarified butter).
Gali Parathe Wali in chandni chowk is known for its parathas, Dec 2006.Chandni Chowk is home to several famous restaurants/confectioners (Halwais).
The Ghantewala Halwai, established in 1790. Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle, established in 1940 Kanwarji Bhagirathmal Dalbijiwallah established in mid-19th century. Chaatwallah established in 1923 Bikaner Sweet Shop famous for rasmalai Gianiji ka Falooda famous for Rabri Falooda Paranthe wali Gali with paratha shops from 1875-1886[7] Meghraj and Sons’ a century old Chainaram established in 1948 Some of the historical mansions include:
Begum Samru's Palace of 1806 (see [2])now called Bhagirath Palace. Naughara mansions in Kinari Bazaar, 18th century Jain mansions. Khazanchi haveli Haveli of Mirza Ghalib
[edit] Popular culture A typically congested scene along Chawri Bazar in the Chandni Chowk area, March 2006.Chandni Chowk was featured in the 2001 Bollywood film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham where the leading lady Anjali (Kajol) and her sister Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) lived. Though portrayed as a neighborhood populated by a lower-class population, Chandni Chowk is shown to be a rich, cultural hub.
A rhyming Indian tongue twister (which perhaps goes back to the 1950s) in the film goes as follows:
चंदू के चाचा ने चंदू की चाची को चाँदनी चौक में चाँदनी रात में चाँदी के चम्मच से चटनी चटाई Chandu ke chacha ne Chandu ki chachi ko Chandni Chowk mein Chandni raat mein Chaandi ke chamach se Chatni chatayi The tongue twister uses the multiple meanings of the word Chandni (a girl's name, moonlit, silver) for poetic effect. This poem has अनुप्रास alankar (anupraas alankar) (repetition of similar sound, here ch) and यमक (yamak) अलंकार (alankar) (use of the same word in different places for generating different meanings).
Literal translation:
Chandu's uncle, To Chandu's aunt, In Chandni Chowk, On a moonlit night, With a silver spoon, Fed chutney. One of the main characters, Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) in the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, is identified when he says the tongue-twister (almost) correctly.
An old song recalling the clocktower (ghantaghar) that once stood in the center, and India's freedom struggle ([3] video search):
घंटाघर की चार घड़ी
Chandni Chowk in Bangalore North Indian Restaurants - Yahoo ... Find details of Chandni Chowk in bangalore with Yahoo! Local India. Includes address, contact details, ... Mobile No. *. +91. Contact details of [[bname]] ... E.g. "the phone number is wrong". Send. Close. Add to Essentialist ...in.local.yahoo.com/bangalore/chandni-chowk-753ec789120cf9d107104b88b81f8859/ - 44k - Cached - Similar pagesIndia Hotel, Chandni Chowk, Delhi - asklaila India Hotel. (No ratings). sms E-Mail email. Hotel Phone: 011 23962706 , 011 23934099. Address: 691 Queens Garden , Chandni Chowk , Delhi- 110006 ...www.asklaila.com/listing/Delhi-NCR/Chandni+Chowk/India+Hotel/jwa1nkV5/ - 80k - Cached - Similar pagesChandni Chowk » Delhi Elections Results : India Elections,India MP ... Delhi Elections Results : India Elections,India MP Elections 2009,India Lok Sabha ... India,BJP India,Sonia Gandhi,LK Advani,Rahul Gandhi » Chandni Chowk. ... No. of Electors, 107887, Polling Stations. 141. No. of Contestants ... Phone Number. Your Comment. Subscribe for Latest News on General Elections 2009 ...www.delhielections.com/delhi-assembly-constituencies/chandni-chowk - 50k - Cached - Similar pagesChandni Chowk » India Elections 2009 : India Elections Results ... Winner of General Elections 2009 in Chandni Chowk is KAPIL SIBAL (INC) ... Om Prakash Thakur, IND, Nagara, HOUSE NO. 2366 GALI CHHOTI WALIBAGICHI RAGHU NATH SADAR BAZARDELHI-110006 ... E-mail (required). Phone Number. Your Comment ...www.indiaelections.co.in/lok-sabha-constituencies/delhi/chandni-chowk/ - 65k - Cached - Similar pagesChandni Chowk DelhiLive.com 2 Jul 2008 ... Chandni ChowkChandni Chowk is considered to be the largest trading center of ... No significant clouds; Temperature: 33 °C; Wind: Calm; Rel. ... the biggest electrical market of North India, or may be the whole India. ... Do not add personal information like phone number,date of birth, address etc. ...www.delhilive.com/chandni-chowk-1 - 48k - Cached - Similar pagesPackers & Movers Chandni ChowkPacking & Moving Chandni Chowk ... Get best price quotes from Packers & Movers in Chandni Chowk, Packing & Moving in ... of your packing and transportation, be it within city, within India or outside India. ... Country Wide Phone No. 1800-11-4321. Alfa Packers & Movers ...yellowpages.sulekha.com/delhi/home-services/packers-movers/149.htm?area=chandni-chowk - 103k - Cached - Similar pagesHALDIRAM'S RESTAURANT In Chandni Chowk, Delhi, delhi, India 19 Jun 2008 ... Location : Delhi & NCR » Delhi » Central Delhi » Chandni Chowk ... Phone : 011 - 28833007. Fax : 011 - 23862755 ... Unfortunately, it is no longer so. It has deteriorated and the food here is just about passable now. ...www.clickindia.com/detail.php?id=276750 - 26k - Cached - Similar pageseBay India: CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA (2008) Hindi Movie Audio CD ... S.I.D.H.U; CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA; INDIA SE AYA MERA DOST - (AAP KI KHATIR) ... 4) Item will not shipped without a phone number or valid phone number and with a ... Pin Code and Phone Number. 6) Tracking No. : After shipping the items, ...cgi.ebay.in/CHANDNI-CHOWK-TO-CHINA-(2008)-Hindi-Movie-Audio-CD_W0QQitemZ330331052971QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ... - Similar pagesChandni Chowk Camera Market - Any Pointers? - India Travel Forum ... 8 posts - 1 authorWhile looking through some forums I got the phone number of Mr Manu ... Location: Gurgaon, India. Posts: 83. Re: Chandni Chowk Camera Market - Any Pointers? ...www.bcmtouring.com/forum/photography-f17/chandni-chowk-camera-market-any-pointers-t9190/ - 66k - Cached - Similar pages
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