Raahi : The Heritage Walk Society, Miranda House

Raahi, the Heritage Walk Society of Miranda House, invites you this Sunday for a special Heritage Walk at Qudsia Bagh — a lesser-known yet historically rich late Mughal garden complex hidden within the dense urban fabric of Old Delhi near the historic course of the Yamuna River.

Commissioned in the mid-18th century by Qudsia Begum, mother of Ahmad Shah Bahadur, the garden was conceived as a riverside pleasure retreat in the Mughal tradition of landscaped estates that blended leisure, symbolism, and political authority. Architectural remains and historical records point to pavilions, gateways, and formal garden elements characteristic of Mughal design.

The site suffered extensive damage during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and was later altered under colonial administration. Flooding, urban expansion, and long-term neglect further shaped its present fragmented condition.

Qudsia Bagh is especially significant as an example of female patronage in Mughal India, highlighting the political and cultural influence exercised by royal women. The surviving structures and landscape traces offer valuable insight into late Mughal garden culture and Delhi’s layered built heritage.

Leading us through this heritage walk are Reesha and Diya, from the Department of History.

Date: 15 February 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting Point: Qudsia Bagh (Entry Gate), Yamuna Marg
Nearest Metro: Civil Lines (Yellow Line)

Note: Registrations are open for a limited number of participants - the form is in the bio.

Join us this Sunday to look beyond the ruins and reconstruct a forgotten chapter of Mughal Delhi through architecture, landscape, and history.

Credits:
Poster -
Caption and Translation - , Alisha Nagpal

Khair-ul-Manazil (most auspicious of houses) stands hidden in plain sight on one of Delhi’s main avenues, Mathura Road. As traffic whizzes past and dozens of visitors turn towards the Purana Qila that rises impressively opposite, it remains simultaneously imposing and mysterious, much like its patron, Maham Anga, herself well-known and forgotten in Indian history.

Join Raahi on Saturday, 24 January, as we reflect upon women in medieval Islamic empires, viewing a powerful woman through her matronage.

Time: 8 a.m.
Meeting point: corner of Mathura Road and Sher Shah Road.
Nearest metro station: Supreme Court (Blue Line)

Note:The form is open to History Department students and B.A. Programme students with History (only for Miranda House students).

Registration link in the bio. We have limited slots, kindly register to join us for the walk.



Credits:
Poster : Alisha Nagpal

Raahi, the Heritage Walk Society of Miranda House, invites you this Sunday for a special Heritage Walk at Jama Masjid, an iconic symbol of Mughal grandeur and spiritual devotion which also embodies the artistic opulence of Mughal architecture.

Built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is Delhi’s principal mosque and one of the largest in the Indian subcontinent. Jama Masjid is Arabic for “Friday Mosque". But formally, it is known as Masjid-i Jahān Numā, or “the world-reflecting mosque”, and it stands oriented towards the holy city of Mecca.

Strategically located in Chandni Chowk, this Friday Mosque has long served as a vibrant confluence of royal presence, local communities, and later, colonial interventions that sought to reshape its identity. This walk will also revisit the mosque’s role during the 1857 uprising and the British occupation of Masjid, uncovering layers of Delhi’s dynamic social and political past.

Leading us through this heritage walk are Teena and Disha, 3rd-year students from the Department of History.

Date: 9th October 2025
Time: 11 a.m.
Meeting Point: Jama Masjid ( Main gate)
Nearest Metro: Jama Masjid (Violet Line)

Credits:
Poster -
Caption - , Mansi Verma

Registration link in bio. Limited slots available.

Join us this Sunday to look beyond the architecture and dive deeper into the living histories that shaped Delhi’s heritage.

Raahi, The Heritage Walk Society of the Department of History, Miranda House invites you to step into the heart of Shahjahanabad, where poetry lingers in the air and history whispers through narrow lanes.

Our next walk leads us to Ghalib ki Haveli, the 19th-century residence of the celebrated Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib. The haveli stands as a quiet memorial to a man whose verses captured the anguish and beauty of a changing world. Surrounded by Mughal arches, fading frescoes, and the scent of old Delhi, we will explore not just the home of a poet, but the spirit of an era marked by art, loss, and resilience.

The walk will also take us past the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, one of Delhi’s most sacred and historic shrines. Built at the site of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, the gurudwara stands as a symbol of courage, faith, and sacrifice. Its golden dome and bustling courtyard offer a moment of reflection amid Chandni Chowk’s vibrant chaos, a powerful reminder of Delhi’s layered spiritual heritage.

Join us as we revisit the life, letters, and legacy of Ghalib a poet who gave voice to Delhi’s soul.

Date : 2nd November, 2025
Time : 10:30 A.M.
Meeting point : Natraj Dahi Bhalle
Nearest metro : Chandani Chowk, Gate no. 5

The registration link is in the bio and the walk is open to all but there are limited slots.



Credits :
Caption:Anjali, Priyanka
Graphics : Ankita,Shreya

Raahi, the Heritage Walk Society of Miranda House, invites you to a heritage walk exploring the tradition of Phool Walon Ki Sair – Sair-i-Gulfaroshan.

Every year, as Delhi transitions through the monsoon, the lanes of Mehrauli bloom with colour and celebration. Phool Walon Ki Sair, literally “The Procession of Flower Sellers,” is a centuries-old festival that beautifully reflects Delhi’s spirit of unity in diversity. Also known as Sair-i-Gulfaroshan, or “The Festival of Flower Scattering,” it features musicians, dancers, and processions carrying floral pankhas (fans), turning Mehrauli into a vibrant spectacle of faith and festivity.

The festival traces its origin to the early 19th century during the reign of Emperor Akbar Shah II. His wife, Queen Mumtaz Mahal Begum, vowed to offer a chadar (sheet) of flowers at the Dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki if her exiled son, Mirza Jahangir, was released by the British. When her wish was fulfilled, she not only made the offering at the Dargah but also sent a floral pankha to the nearby Yogmaya Temple, symbolizing interfaith harmony. This gesture became an annual tradition celebrating peace and coexistence between Hindus and Muslims.

Over time, the festival evolved into a grand procession where people carried floral offerings from Chandni Chowk to Mehrauli, visiting both the Dargah and the Temple. It became an emblem of Delhi’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb – a shared culture of mutual respect and spiritual unity.

Today, Phool Walon Ki Sair continues to embody Delhi’s composite heritage, reminding us of a time when devotion and diversity bloomed together.This heritage walk will be led by Anushka and Anumeha, second-year students from the Department of History, Miranda House.

Date: 12th October 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting Point: Yogmaya Temple, Mehrauli
Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar (Yellow Line)

Credits:
Poster:
Caption: Anjali, Alisha Nagpal

Note : Registrations are open for a limited number of participants,the form is in the bio.

Join us this Sunday to experience the stories, faiths, and festivals that have kept Mehrauli’s spirit alive.

Raahi, the Heritage Walk Society of Miranda House, under the Department of History, invites blog entries for the first opportunity of the session 2025–2026.

Participants may choose any one of the following topics and submit their entries (word limit: 800–1000 words):

1. Imperialism in the Fashion Industry: Loot of Handicrafts and Handloom– How global fashion industries appropriate traditional crafts like Kolhapuri chappals, Scandinavian scarves, and metal zari, often erasing their origins and the artisans behind them.

2. The Story Behind the Name– Delve into the myths, legends, and forgotten facts behind the names of iconic historical sites. Every name holds a tale waiting to be rediscovered.

3. The Living Bazaars: Local Markets as Cultural Mosaics – Go beyond commerce to explore how local markets act as vibrant cultural spaces that mirror community life, creativity, and tradition.

This opportunity is open to all.

Kindly click on the link in bio for detailed guidelines and the submission form.

The last date for submission is 15th November, 2025.

राही, द हेरिटेज वॉक सोसाइटी, मिरांडा हाउस (इतिहास विभाग) के अंतर्गत, शैक्षणिक सत्र 2025–2026 के लिए ब्लॉग प्रविष्टियों का आमंत्रण करती है।

प्रतिभागी नीचे दिए गए तीन विषयों में से किसी एक विषय पर अपना ब्लॉग (शब्द सीमा: 800–1000 शब्द) प्रस्तुत कर सकते हैं:

1. फैशन उद्योग में साम्राज्यवाद: हस्तशिल्प और हथकरघे की लूट – वैश्विक फैशन उद्योग किस प्रकार पारंपरिक शिल्प जैसे कोल्हापुरी चप्पल, स्कैंडिनेवियन स्कार्फ़, और मेटल ज़री को अपनाकर उनके मूल और कारीगरों को भुला देता है।

2. नाम के पीछे की कहानी– प्रसिद्ध ऐतिहासिक स्थलों के नामों के पीछे छिपे मिथक, किंवदंतियाँ और भूले-बिसरे तथ्य जानिए। हर नाम एक कहानी कहता है जो फिर से खोजे जाने की प्रतीक्षा में है।

3. जीवंत बाज़ार: सांस्कृतिक परतों के रूप में स्थानीय मंडियाँ – व्यापार से आगे बढ़कर जानिए कि किस प्रकार स्थानीय बाज़ार समुदाय के जीवन, रचनात्मकता और परंपरा के जीवंत सांस्कृतिक केंद्र के रूप में कार्य करते हैं।

यह अवसर सभी के लिए खुला है।

विस्तृत दिशा-निर्देशों और सबमिशन फ़ॉर्म के लिए बायो में दिए गए लिंक पर क्लिक करें।

प्रविष्टि जमा करने की अंतिम तिथि – 15 नवम्बर, 2025।

For further queries contact:
Raushani : 82524 24618
Priyanka : 87896 23542

Raahi, the Heritage Walk Society of Miranda House, invites you to a heritage walk exploring the tradition of Phool Walon Ki Sair – Sair-i-Gulfaroshan.

Every year, as Delhi transitions through the monsoon, the lanes of Mehrauli bloom with colour and celebration. Phool Walon Ki Sair, literally “The Procession of Flower Sellers,” is a centuries-old festival that beautifully reflects Delhi’s spirit of unity in diversity. Also known as Sair-i-Gulfaroshan, or “The Festival of Flower Scattering,” it features musicians, dancers, and processions carrying floral pankhas (fans), turning Mehrauli into a vibrant spectacle of faith and festivity.

The festival traces its origin to the early 19th century during the reign of Emperor Akbar Shah II. His wife, Queen Mumtaz Mahal Begum, vowed to offer a chadar (sheet) of flowers at the Dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki if her exiled son, Mirza Jahangir, was released by the British. When her wish was fulfilled, she not only made the offering at the Dargah but also sent a floral pankha to the nearby Yogmaya Temple, symbolizing interfaith harmony. This gesture became an annual tradition celebrating peace and coexistence between Hindus and Muslims.

Over time, the festival evolved into a grand procession where people carried floral offerings from Chandni Chowk to Mehrauli, visiting both the Dargah and the Temple. It became an emblem of Delhi’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb – a shared culture of mutual respect and spiritual unity.

Today, Phool Walon Ki Sair continues to embody Delhi’s composite heritage, reminding us of a time when devotion and diversity bloomed together.This heritage walk will be led by Anushka and Anumeha, second-year students from the Department of History, Miranda House.

Date: 12th October 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting Point: Yogmaya Temple, Mehrauli
Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar (Yellow Line)

Credits:
Poster -
Caption - , Alisha Nagpal

Note : Registrations are open for a limited number of participants,the form is in the bio.

Join us this Sunday to experience the stories, faiths, and festivals that have kept Mehrauli’s spirit alive.