Mirza Ghalib’s Haveli in Ballimaran Chandni chowk is a treasure lost with time in the cluster of old Delhi. Down a quiet Ballimaran lane in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk stands a haveli like many others in this historic part of the Indian capital. An old structure reminding us of the time of our ancestors, this mansion was once home to Mirza Asadullah Khan, better known as Ghalib, one of India’s most celebrated and quoted Urdu poets.

Ghalib was born to Mirza Abdullah Beg in December 1797 in Agra. His father died when he was hardly five years old and his childhood was spent with his uncle who passed away when Ghalib was eight, and mostly his aunts. Married in 1810 at the age of 13 to Umrao Begum, Ghalib soon left his birth city Agra for Delhi, a city where he lived until he died in 1869.

Now the site is under the control of archaeological survey of India and this long-lost heritage was converted into a museum and inaugurated on 27th December 2011. A wall in the memorial reads ‘’An Exhibition cum Museum on Life and Times of Mirza Ghalib’’.

Ghalib lived during an age of tumult and transformation in Indian history. His diary kept during the revolt of 1857 presents a personal record of the events that shook and ravaged the capital. Ghalib also witnessed the decline of the Mughal Empire and the establishment of British colonial rule in India. This makes his haveli not just a living memory of the poet but a standing testimonial to our history.

A heritage site that offers you an insight into the legendary poet’s life and times, Ghalib’s haveli is open throughout the day, but the best time to visit would be in the morning. Go explore, and read out some verses from the walls to your special one.

“Isee be-noor andheri see gali qaasim se
Ek tarteeb charaghon ki shuru hoti hai
Ek quran-e-sukhan ka safa khulta hai
Asadullah Khan ‘Ghalib’ ka patha milta hai.”

Address – gali qasim jaan, Ballimaran, Chandni chowk

Timings – 9 am to 5 pm

Nearest metro – Chawri Bazar