During my past I had occasion to visit Delhi for a number of times before and after partition of India in 1947.
Whenever I visited the great city I was struck by many scenes of varied types. Before partition I passed through Delhi on my way to Jaora state. In Delhi I stayed for a short while and saw the city casually but it led me to come again and see it in detail. Whatever I could see was the great Chandni Chowk Bazar full of people and all kinds of things big and small to see or purchase. We could call it another Anarkali Bazar. As it was the month of Ramadhan there was a huge gathering at the Badshahi Mosque where we specially said our last Friday prayers termed as smaller Hajj. The rush was so great that many surrounding houses were got vacated for worshippers. In the vicinity was the great Red Fort, a symbol of Mughal Empire. We visited the fort and were very much inspired by its architecture as was the case with the Badshahi Mosue. The fact is that Delhi is a vast city with numberless historical places which you can go on visiting throughout life. It is not possible to record their detail in this small note.
In 1947 at the time of partition of the Indian Subcontinent the color of Delhi turned red as large scale communal riots killed the people. Some could run away to Pakistan in exchange for many who came from there to India in similar desperate conditions. It took quiet some time for peace to return and to see the glory again. So when I again went to Delhi in 1950s things had settled down and many Muslims were still there participating in the business of life. Population had changed a lot. Because of influx of many Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistani Punjab the Punjabi language was being spoken in great number. It appeared that it was the language of Delhi instead of Urdu. Many liberal and tolerant leaders both Hindus and Muslims had worked hard to bring peace and prosperity to the great city.