Ain- I Dilli

Sheher mein Gaon ~ A Heritage Walk through Khirki Village and its Monuments
Date: Sunday, 27th November 2022
Time: 10:00 AM
Register here: https://rzp.io/l/rC6Szyj
LIMITED SLOTS ONLY!

Most of us think of posh malls and trendy cafes when we think of South Delhi. But today’s posh colonies were once a part of Delhi Sultanate and if you look closely enough, you may still come across remains of the city of Jahanpanah!

But what about the people of Jahanpanah? Did you know of the several “villages” that still dot this area? Join us on our next heritage walk to find out about the lives, experiences and struggles of these urban villages.

The walk is around two important but forgotten monuments of the historic city of Jahanpanah – Satpula and Khirki Masjid. The walk would focus on the architecture of these two beautiful medieval structures as well as take you through a detailed tour of Khirki Village. We would also explore some micro architecture like the village well and shrines. We would be meeting some village elders and listening to fascinating tales of their mythological heroes and their routines in the part of the village where the Citywalk mall now stands. We’re time travelling from the 14th to the 21st century through everything that happened in between, and we’d be thrilled to have you join us!

For itinerary and other details, visit https://rzp.io/l/khirkinov2022

Winter is here. Good time to plan a visit to Humayun tomb. It's not only world heritage monument, but one of the most complete monument by the Mughals.

A walk was conducted for students of 2nd year honours and program to Qutb Complex where the Jewell of Discovery was dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki

The news of government handing over Delhi's Red Fort to Dalmias for upkeep and tourist management is all over media, and in vicious form on social media. ASI has not been able to do its work due to government's apathy and stubborn refusal to increase its budget. Worse it has resigned itself to salary drawing institution and ready to part with its responsibilities. it is today that the Dalmia episode has caught people's attention but long ago it surrendered security to CISF , restoration to Intach or Aga Khan Trust and so on. Schools and colleges and even Neighbourhoods were told to adopt a monument but we heard nothing of that.
The abject failure of ASI to maintain and secure the monuments and the the fact that it was allowed to become a salary guzzler government organisation is the nemesis of Indian architecture scene. Slowly but definitely, private and heavy charging Intach and AK trust creeped in and started making mega bucks. They were in the house to maintain the kitchen garden but slowly like the proverbial camel, captured the tent itself. Today on the government megabucks both are cultural behemoths that is literally seen to be monopolising the government money and even making policies. I am not really very positive on their work at Humayun Tomb and Red Fort though. The best example of restoration of a monument is Reis Magos fort at Goa that involved the fine sensibilities of architect Da Cunha and Goa government. And the result is for all to see.
The problem is inefficiency and inability of ASI to protect and preserve the monuments and much like in Health and Education sectors, private players are only interested in cash cows like Red Fort, Qutb Minar and Taj. They are less likely to adopt Tughlaqabad Fort or Purana Qila as it would hardly give them the megabucks that they want.
Another problem is Dalmias are not the frontranking business house today. They are not professionally on the top like Infosys or Reliance and hence may not be able to use modern management to manage it. Rather than contributing to the monument for the national heritage, they may treat it as another business enterprise.

Last, are they trained to manage a monument? Do they have the expertise and trained professionals? My hunch is that they will go on poaching professionals from ASI, Intach and Aga Khan and that's why it's these two organisations that should fear the most.

I can hazard a guess that the Indian corporate world may treat it as a test case to see if history can give them handsom returns much like it did to Bhansali films and Babhubali for the film industry.

Taking students to Dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya today. The patron saint of Delhi. The our of Amir Khusro. The sanctuary of the world.

Zafar Mahal and his vacant grave in mehrauli
With students of second year

Can we have new admins for this page?

Let's plan a trip to haunted bhangarh after exams.

Lets plan our visits and list three monuments abd dates in advance.

The walk has been rescheduled for Sunday.