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Medieval And Colonial Capital Cities Of <strong>Delhi</strong>DESCRIPTIONThe central segment of Chandni Chowk stretches between the two squares – Phawwara chowk and the Town Hallchowk. Leading immediately off it to the south are important commercial enclaves or katras – e.g Katra Ashrafi,Katra Shahanshah. The katras are most frequently self‐contained units communicating with the street outsidethrough gates that can be closed. Kinari Bazar, the major market street specializing in lace, tinsel, sequins andother decorative clothing accessories, stretches roughly parallel to Chandni Chowk, opening up in Dariba Kalan.The neighbourhoods of Dharampura and Maliwara lie slightly further south, where many old havelis still survive.The former contains the cul de sac known as Naughara, with its nine havelis with painted doorways, and its a Jaintemple.The central segment of Chandni Chowk ends in a square which was originally laid out by Jahanara Begum, thedaughter of Shahjahan in 1650 AD. Originally called Chandni Chowk (moonlight square), it has given its name tothe entire street, and is itself better known today after its major landmark, Town Hall. To the south of the squareruns a major road, Nai Sarak, which is a major commercial street.The Town Hall was built in 1860‐5, on the site previously occupied by the Begum ki Serai and Bagh, both ofwhich were destroyed after the Revolt of 1857. With its impressive Corinthian columns, mouldings and fineparapet, this elegant pale yellow and white building spreads out around a courtyard and is bounded byporches with arched entrances on all four sides of the building. To the north of Town Hall is a garden whichoccupies the space of Jahanara’s garden. What was originally Company Bagh but has today been renamedAzad Park is a fenced garden with Royal palm trees. The main landmark of the circular park is a large blackstatue of Mahatma Gandhi, which stands in the centre of the park, facing the Town Hall.The western part of Chandni Chowk stretches from the Town Hall chowk to the Fatehpuri Masjid. Off this sectionof Chandni Chowk are some important commercial streets such as Katra Neel (famous for its many small templesor Shivalayas) to the north and Katra Nawab to the south. Also to the south lies the historic residentialneighbourhood of Ballimaran, famous for being the home of hakims or practitioners of traditional Unanimedicine, and the home (now a memorial) of the famous 19 th century poet Ghalib. At the western extreme of thisstreet is Fatehpuri Masjid, surrounded by shops. North of Fatehpuri Masjid is Bazar Khari Baoli, Asia’s largestspecialist spice Market. South of Khari baoli too is an important commercial area with trading enclaves such asKatra Badiyan.Some key heritage structures in the area:o The road also has the Haveli of Lala Chunnamal. The two floor structure has an intricately designed castirongrilled balcony on the first floor and a verandah on the ground floor. Several windows also adorn thefaçade of the building. The interiors of the haveli include a huge courtyard. The rooms have intricate artwork and detailing.ooBuilt in 1650, by the wife of Shahjahan, Fatehpuri begam, Fatehpuri Masjid has a simple and symmetricrectangular plan with fluted dome and kalash finial on top. The two minarets flank the mosque on eitherside. The main prayer hall has seven arches with a pillared hall of multi‐lobed arches and columns. It isapproached through a courtyard once entered from the gate. The mosque resembles the Jama Masjid toa great extent.Along the southern side of this segment of the road are several architecturally significant bank buildingsdating from the early decades of the 20 th century.31‐07‐2012 INTACH, <strong>Delhi</strong> Chapter 6