Mirza Ghalib’s Haveli, Old Delhi

The great 19th Century Urdu Poet Mirza Ghalib Saheb’s haveli is situated at Gali Qasim Jaan, Ballimaran, Delhi. This is one of the densely populated areas of old Delhi. Ghalib lived in this Haveli for quite a long period of his life after he came from Agra. While staying at this Haveli, he wrote his Urdu and Persian ‘diwans’.

It is said that the Haveli was given to Ghalib Saheb by one Hakim (Physician) who was an enthusiast of his poetry. After Ghalib’s death in 1869, the place was gradually encroached upon (some shops are still running from inside the premises).

In the year of 1999 the Government of Delhi acquired a portion of the Haveli and converted the same into a Museum. With the use of Mughal Lakhori bricks, sandstone and a wooden entrance gate, the premises was given a special touch to recreate the 19th century period.

Besides Ghalib Saheb’s books, various hand written poems by the poet have also been kept in the Museum. Some utensils not actually used by the poet, but typical of the vessels used during Mirza Ghalib’s period are also at display in the Museum.