When was Shahjahanabad founded and who built it?
Shahjahanabad was founded in 1648, when Shah Jahan shifted the Mughal capital from Agra. Construction of the walled city ran from 1638 to 1649 under Shah Jahan's chief architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahori.
Questions about Shahjahanabad
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How long was Shahjahanabad the capital of Mughal India?
Shahjahanabad served as the Mughal capital from 1648 until 1857, when the British Empire took control of the Indian subcontinent following the revolt of that year. It remained the capital for roughly two centuries.
Why is Shahjahanabad now called Old Delhi?
The nickname Old Delhi came into use after New Delhi was formally inaugurated as the capital of India in 1931. Lutyens' Delhi, built south-west of Shahjahanabad, became the seat of a new national government, and the older city was distinguished from it by the colloquial name.
What are the most famous historical sites in Shahjahanabad?
Shahjahanabad's notable sites include Jama Masjid, described as India's largest mosque; the Red Fort (Lal Qila); Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, built on the martyrdom site of Guru Tegh Bahadur; St. James Church (built 1836); and the Partition Museum in the former Dara Shukoh Library Building.
What is the history of Karim's restaurant in Old Delhi?
Haji Karimuddin established Karim Hotel in Gali Kababian, near Jama Masjid, in 1913. He moved back to Delhi in 1911 to open a dhaba for visitors arriving to witness the coronation; his family had previously catered to Mughal Emperors before being displaced by the 1857 revolt.
What is the Banta drink found in Old Delhi?
Banta is a fizzy drink sold in Old Delhi since 1872, served in a codd-neck glass bottle sealed by a marble stopper. The bottle design was patented that year in London by engineer Hiram Codd. During the independence movement, protesters added calcium hydroxide to the bottles and used them as improvised projectiles, leading to bans in multiple cities before 1947.