Updated: August 13, 2012, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Iftar in the Walled City of Old Delhi
11th August 2012, Old Delhi, India. Views inside the Jama Masjid Mosque as Muslims prepare to break their fast (Iftar) in Old Delhi during the month of Ramadan, 11th August 2012, Old Delhi, India. Old Delhi is the walled city of Delhi, founded as Shahjahanabad by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1639. It remained the capital of the Mughals until the end of the Mughal dynasty. It was once filled with mansions of nobles and members of the royal court, along with elegant mosques and gardens. Today, despite having become extremely crowded and dilapidated, it still serves as the symbolic heart of metropolitan Delhi. PHOTOGRAPH BY AND COPYRIGHT OF SIMON DE TREY-WHITE + 91 98103 99809 + 91 11 435 06980 +44 07966 405896 +44 1963 220 745 email: simon@simondetreywhite.com
The narrow alleyways, unchanged since they were built in the 16th century, are crammed with people and food stalls.
The Kalan mosque, with its aquamarine walls, reflection pool and a fortress-like front facade was built in the 12th century by the Tuglaq dynasty, which preceded the Mughals. “This mosque was built on a mound because back then it was in the middle of th???
The Walled City gets its name from a six kilometre-long, 13 metre high rampart, which exists in parts. Post-independence, the Indian government tore down most of the wall to alleviate the over-crowding in what came to be known as Old Delhi.
A Chail wallah at work in Old Delhi. Shops are open throughout the night during the Holy Month. "During Ramadan they are on fire. They do a roaring trade,� says Pamela Timms, who writes a popular blog on Old Delhi street food called Eat and Dust.
Before iftar begins, one can offer prayers in more than 90 mosques, including this one, the Kalan Mosque.
Streets meet in threes, in a pattern the Mughals called the spider’s web, a design created to make fleeing thieves easier to catch and arrest.
A barbers shop in Old Delhi. Markets were historically demarcated according to professions.