New Delhi: Delhi’s history extends far beyond its grand monuments. Some of the city’s most intriguing stories lie hidden in its old alleys, havelis, schools, markets, parks and even everyday buildings that people pass by without realising the history they hold.
Officials said the trail could connect the 17th-century Shahjahanabad city wall, a fire station, Darya Ganj police station, inaugurated in 1930, heritage-listed private houses, Indian Refrigeration House, Ghata Masjid, Anglo Sanskrit Victoria Jubilee Senior Secondary School, established in 1869, Happy School with 72 years of history, DAV School and several other historically significant sites. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in Delhi Stay updated with the latest Delhi news.
Historians will help visitors discover little-known facts, anecdotes and stories associated with these places,” an MCD official said. A meeting was held Monday to discuss the plan with historian Swapna Liddle , an MCD official said. “During the meeting, it was proposed that QR codes be installed at selected locations, allowing visitors to access information about the history of the sites, interesting anecdotes associated with the structures and other nearby places of interest,” the official said. Historians are being consulted on how these sites can be connected through pathways, signage and QR codes, officials said. “Though the trails are at the planning stage, we will also explore including monuments and properties belonging to other agencies such as Archaeological Survey of India,” officials said. Swapna Liddle said that besides protecting monuments, it is important to popularise them as well. I will contribute my experience and expertise to support the initiative,” said Liddle While the MCD’s heritage cell is working to take the plan forward.
To bring these lesser-known stories to light, Municipal Corporation of Delhi ’s (MCD) heritage cell is planning a network of trails that will take visitors beyond the city’s prominent monuments and heritage buildings, into neighbourhoods where history remains hidden in plain sight. “While we are already organising heritage walks, particularly during winters, covering iconic heritage structures, we now want to take this a step further. The idea is to create trails covering interesting sites in the same vicinity and make the experience more engaging. Mehrauli, with its dense cluster of monuments set amid gardens and parks, is among the areas being considered for the first such trail. Hauz-i-Shamsi, a 13th-century Sultanate-era water body, Jahaz Mahal, Jharna and old religious structures could potentially be linked through a heritage trail. “We have so many customs, intangible assets, folk songs, buildings with interesting history associated with them. New Daryaganj could be another such circuit. Similar circuits are also being planned in Old Delhi. Gali Ballimaran, Ghalib ki Haveli and other nearby historic destinations could be brought together to tell the story of the neighbourhood and its cultural legacy. Download the TOI App.
The proposed trails will connect historically significant sites located within the same locality and within walking distance of one another, allowing visitors to experience the area’s history, architecture and cultural legacy through curated routes.