At the end of our Delhi adventure, we ended up in the area Old Delhi again. We had been to this district before to visit some of its highlights (the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid Mosque).
Now, because our train to Rajasthan was leaving from Old Delhi station, we had some extra time to pass.
It gave us the opportunity to walk around, almost getting lost, and discover this fascinating historic neighborhood a bit more.
In and around Old Delhi railway station. The oldest station of Delhi, established in 1864 in the style of the Red Fort. And also one of the busiest stations of India (as we experienced, since we almost got lost there as well).
The area Old Delhi started as a walled city named Shahjahanabad in 1639, when the emperor Shah Jahan decided to shift the Mughal capital from Agra.
According to the internet, the city was once filled with “mansions of nobles and members of the royal court, along with elegant mosques and gardens”, and nowadays, you can still feel some of these Mughal glory days.
The construction of the city was completed in 1648. It remained the capital of the Mughal Empire until its fall in 1857, when the British Raj took over.
A beautiful hidden gem, in the labyrinth of narrow streets of Old Delhi
Many of the historical attractions are in Chandni Chowk or ‘moon light square’. This name was given because of the reflection of the moon on the former canal being there, built by Shah Jahan.
Chandni Chowk is also known as a ‘shoppers paradise’. Being the main shopping street, running from the Red Fort and Friday Mosque, all the way to the Fatehpuri Mosque in the west.
Around this main street you find the bazaar area of narrow streets and alleys, full of shops and restaurants, with all the Indian items and food you can think of.
The chaotic and crowded shopping walhalla of Chandni Chowk
In the area of Old Delhi only a few of the many havelis, the traditional Indian mansions are left and maintained. Through the internet we found this beautiful renovated one, called Haveli Dharampura where you can have dinner, and even sleep.
It’s quite a journey to get there – which for us was already part of the adventure and Old Delhi discovery, – but worth the trip.
Because of the beautiful building, the food being served, but moreover because of the peaceful ambience in the middle of the city chaos.
Our lunch break in the heart of Chandni Chowk, at restaurant Lakhori (Haveli Dharampura)
Despite having become extremely crowded by migrants from other parts of India, the significant air pollution and quite some chaos, Old Delhi still has its fascinating charm.
After the sightseeing, we definitely recommend you to visit the area at least once! Not just to see the (long list of) famous attractions, but to discover for yourself why this northern part is still seen as the ‘symbolic heart of modern Delhi’.
Old Delhi, Delhi, India
Breuhuys 
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