Variant of amid the bustling streets of Ballimaran, popular for its shoes and eyewear market, Recline on the quaint Haveli which once housed India’s finest poet who was ,Mirza Asadullah Khan also known as Mirza Ghalib. There are a lot of ancient havelis in the old city of Delhi and on the first appearance there is nothing unique about Mirza Ghalib Haveli, except for the fact that it was an home of finest Urdu poetry. Mirza Ghalib is believed to have spent his final days in the Haveli before his death in the year 1869. The haveli belonged to a physician who was an ardent fan of the legend. When Mirza Ghalib died and the owner of the haveli dies, the house has witnessed lot of residents. These days, a forgotten museum in Delhi dedicated to Mirza Ghalib, the house has been a witness of the creation of numerous famous poetry.

Mirza Ghalib was born to Mirza Abdullah Beg in the year 1797 in the alluring city of Agra. Ghalib’s father died when Ghalib was just 5 years old. Ghalib married to Umrao Begum at the age of 13, Ghalib left Agra and move to Delhi, where he spent all his time until his death in the year 1869. Ghalib witnessed the political shift from Mughal to British Era and his poetry flawlessly depicted this change. Ghalib till date is a world-renowned figure and the major contributor to promoting Urdu poetry and Shayari. Ghalib’s physical presence may have ceased to survive but his works, conserved in books are some of the most sold books in the world.

HISTORY OF THE ATTRACTION

Ghalib was presented with the haveli as a gift from local Hakeem(physician), who was a very big fan of Ghalib’s work. After the death of Ghalib, the owner of Haveli, Hakeem used to befall the Haveli every evening, not letting anyone else stay in the Haveli. After his death, there was no such legal owner of the Haveli. The Haveli witnessed lot of temporary residents. The haveli was also later acquired by the Government of India who auctioned it to Mohammed Ali Farooqi at a bidding amount of INR 22,400. The Haveli was rented out to tenants but after Mohammed Ali’s death leaving no heir behind, the haveli again changed its ownership. The haveli has served from being a poetry home to a coal storage to a small manufacturing unit to being a Baraat Ghar (wedding hall).  A small significant portion of the haveli was occupied by the Delhi government under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1999. Now, haveli cum a museum in Delhi exhibits the life of the popular poet. One among the most underrated museums in Delhi, the Ghalib Haveli exhibits the list of wanted cuisines of the poet. You can also witness the traditional attire of the great Mirza Ghalib. There also small exhibits of his popular works displayed on boards. The museum also exhibits the last ever photo taken of the popular poet. The haveli has the original sandstone floors and you can also witness the Mughal era architecture inside the Haveli.

GETTING THERE

The nearest metro station to get in to the museum of Ghalib is Chawri Bazar from where you can either walk to the haveli or take a rickshaw.

THINGS TO DO IN & AROUND GHALIB HAVELI

The museum tries to recreate the life of the popular poet. You can witness his traditional attire and his loved cuisines. There is also a portrait of Mirza Ghalib. The haveli is located in the heritage neighbourhood of Old Delhi. You can explore the nearby memorials like Red Fort and Jama Masjid. If you are looking for shopping in Old Delhi, there are various several markets in Chandni Chowk and nearby areas. Old Delhi is also popular for its street foods and eating joints like Paranthe Wali Gali. There is also a national library located in Chandni Chowk. There are also various spiritual worshipping places of various religion,like - Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Christian, Sikh. Ballimaran is also popular for its eyewear shopping and shoe shopping.

OPENING AND CLOSING TIMING OF GHALIB HAVELI

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm but monday it's closed.

ENTRY FEES

There is no entry fee charges for Ghalib Haveli

BEST TIME TO VISIT GHALIB HAVELI

Although it’s open throughout the year, the best time to visit is during winter season as the summers in Delhi is pretty hot.