Shahjahanabad

On Friday, our Cities of Delhi class took a field trip to Shahjahanabad. Aka. Old Delhi. Shahjahanabad was it's original name given by the Mughal Shah Jahan. Go figure. This is the third time I have been there this semester, each being a unique experience. The first time we were on our own doing touristy stuff. The second time Andrew's family took us around to different shops, and this time we got see things left from the Mughals, and a more residential area. Every time I go back to Old Delhi, I enjoy it more.



Once we all met up, our teacher led us through this narrow passage, which is apparently not uncommon in Old Delhi. When we walked down it, there was probably less than six inches of space on either side of our shoulders.
That alley took us to a stand that sold delicious fresh Indian breakfast food (aloo puri which a potato dish with puffed bread, and jalebi which is basically fried dough in syrup.) It was all served in bowls made out of banana leaves, and when we were done we just put them in a bin under the stand for cows to eat later.



After breakfast, we went to the haveli of a nice older man our teacher knew. Haveli's are large, multi-level houses with a courtyards. His home was just a section of what is believed to be the original Mughal haveli. They are often even further broken down, with individual families living in each room. He showed us around and we went to the roof to try and fly kites. But alas, no wind. It's pretty incredible how much of peoples lives can be lived on a roof.



Our last stop, my favorite stop, was to a spice market. Blocks of delicious smelling spices. Spices, nuts, dried fruits, all set up in stands along the street. We went up the stairs of main building on the block to one of the most incredible roofs I've seen. We could see the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid off in the distance, and it seemed like the roofs went on forever. People were drying food and their clothes, and stored their pet pigeons. It was pretty incredible.