Lingering Charm of Delhi : Myth, Lore and History

Ever wondered why a nondescript place is called Baraf Khana and a flatted building in the Jama Masjid area is as famous as Dojana House? Was what is known as Old Delhi already inhabited in the pre-Mughal times? Which maze-like mausoleum is considered the first Muslim tomb in North India? What purpose did the khirkis serve in the Khirki Masjid? If Haider Quli was a coolie, how did he become a courtier? How did Ram Nagar, the first organised colony in Paharganj, get its name?…

Once upon a time, one would hear such stories while standing in front of shops or sitting in the galis of the Walled City, where the best paan was sold by Karim and Bundu. Those days are gone; but the street corners, lanes and kutchas, monuments and havelis, still have many a fascinating tale to disclose. They may lack a written history but in an instant they come alive through anecdotes and gossip. Here is a collection of such a potpourri of myths, lores and historical tales, in and around Delhi, from the curious investigator, traveller, storyteller and renowned journalist, Late R.V. Smith.