An almost same-sex marrige in Delhi in 1880's

This amusing incident is mentioned by Rev. G. A. Lefroy, the Head of the Cambridge Mission at Delhi during the 1880's, while describing part of his duties in a paper written in 1884*. Among his other responsibilities Rev. Lefroy was the marriage-registry-officer for the native congregation in Delhi. As he puts it -

An beguiling couple

Fascinating creatures, these-

A couple of peacocks at the Delhi zoo

Panorama of Chunnalmal's haveli

Another panoramic image of Old Delhi. This is the historic haveli of Chunna Mal (sometimes also written as Chunnamal) in Chandni Chowk.

Seth Chunnamal was at one time perhaps the richest and the most influential Indian in Shahjahanbad. This was in the turbulent years after the revolt(mutiny) of 1857. His haveli(mansion) in the central street of Shahjahanbad is an extensive building that used to be in its heyday a cynosure of all eyes. It is still fairly well preserved, unlike many other fascinating structures in the same area that are crumbling and decaying into nothingness.Unfortunately, we in India are not strong on historical preservation.We will fight, agitate and become violent at some some perceived 'insult' to some historical personality even as the monuments that truly embody  our heritage rot and disintegrate. I made a film about it called the Losing Heritage- the case of Chunnamal's haveli.

  The historic haveli of Chunna Mal in Chandni Chowk  - click for a larger image

Delhi in panoramic photos

Starting a new feature on this blog -panoramic images of Delhi. First off the mark, the historic Gurudwara Sis Ganj and it's surroundings located in the old city of Delhi, known in Mughal times as Shahjahanabad.

 Panoramic image of  Gurudwara Sis Ganj  -click to see larger image

It's no good posting a panorama if you don't click it to see it in it's extensive glory.So do click on the image.