Shahjahan’s daughter Jahanara had decided the outline of Chandni Chowk.
If Delhi belongs to those with heart then Chandni Chowk is the heart of Delhi. The heart of Delhi was injured by a car blast near the Red Fort located in front of Chandni Chowk. That Chandni Chowk which is a center of attraction for the people of not only Delhi but the entire country from the time of Mughals till today. But do you know that this Chandni Chowk was designed by a Mughal princess? How did it get its name? There used to be a canal flowing in the middle of this market, what happened to it? Let us try to find answers to these questions.
Delhi of the hearts, especially Old Delhi, contains many unique things of the Mughal period. Therefore, Delhi is a suitable city for travel lovers. There are many shopping options in the markets here. That’s why people from all over the country come to Delhi markets for shopping. Even foreign tourists cannot handle the temptation of shopping here. Chandni Chowk is one of these markets in Delhi. Chandni Chowk, one of the famous markets of the national capital, especially be it a wedding or any other function, people going to Delhi like to do shopping from Chandni Chowk. This market is also very famous for electronic goods.
Shahjahan transferred the capital from Agra to Delhi.
The most important thing is that this market is not famous today but since the time of Mughals. In fact, like all women, Jahanara, daughter of Mughal emperor Shahjahan, was also very fond of shopping. That is why in the year 1648, when Shahjahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, he thought of building this market.
Mughal emperor Shahjahan.
This is the year 1638, when Shahjahan planned to move his capital from Agra to Delhi. For this, a new city Shahjahanabad was established in Delhi. Today we know this city as Old Delhi. Shahjahanabad settlement started in the year 1638 and was completed in the year 1648. It was here that Shahjahan built a fort, which he named Qila-e-Mubarak. Today we know this fort as Red Fort.
Chandni Chowk. Photo: Sonu Mehta/HT via Getty Images
Jahanara had prepared the design of the market
When the royal family came to live in the Delhi Fort, Shahjahan’s daughter Jahanara often started going to different markets for shopping. It is said that Jahanara was very fond of shopping. Seeing this, Shahjahan planned to build a special and big market for his daughter in front of the Red Fort.
When Jahanara came to know about this plan of the king, he himself designed this market to fulfill his shopping hobby. After this, in the 1650s, this market was built and started right in front of the royal fort. According to historians, initially this market was 40 yards wide. Its length was 1520 yards. There were a total of 1560 shops in this market at that time, which is a good number in itself. Even then, all the necessary goods were available at one place in this market.
Mughal princess Jahanara.
This is how Chandni Chowk got its name
There is also an interesting story as to why the market designed by Jahanara was named Chandni Chowk. In fact, when this market was built by the Mughals, it was half-moon shaped i.e. like half of the moon. Not only this, there was a canal flowing through the middle of this market and there was also a pond. Water was supplied to this royal canal and pond from the Yamuna river. On moonlit nights, when the milky light of the moon fell on this canal and pond, the entire market used to sparkle. Due to this, the name of this market became Chandni Chowk.
Mughal emperor Shahjahan settled in Shahjahanabad and built the Red Fort and his daughter Jahanara built the Chandni Chowk market. Shahjahan’s Begum Fatehpuri Begum had built a mosque at one end of Chandni Chowk, which we know today as Fatehpuri Mosque.
From time to time many changes took place to enhance Chandni Chowk. Photo: Getty Images
Shops were built by covering the canal
Along with Delhi, Chandni Chowk market also reflects different eras of Indian history with its Mughal architecture and culture. Chandni Chowk market has been witness to many important events in the history of India. However, with time, Chandni Chowk market was rebuilt several times. During this period, all possible efforts are being made to restore the same old glory. During this reconstruction, the canal and pond of Chandni Chowk were bridged. During the British rule, the canal was covered and paved and shops were built on it.
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