Home Sweet Home - Tailor “Master” Javed Iqbal's Dwelling, Chitli Qabar Chowk

Home Sweet Home – Tailor “Master” Javed Iqbal’s Dwelling, Chitli Qabar Chowk

A new house. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The mattress is spread across the floor. The cooking gas cylinder is in the kitchen, already connected to the double-burner gas range. Two plastic buckets are in the bathroom. All…

City Monument - Mughal-Era Pavilion, Sunder Nursery

City Monument – Mughal-Era Pavilion, Sunder Nursery

A secret spot. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The white walls are embossed with the likenesses of arches and flowers. The outermost skin of choona — the lime plaster on the walls — is peeling off in places,…

Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire – Bookseller Ajay Jain, Ansari Road

Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire – Bookseller Ajay Jain, Ansari Road

The parlour confession. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] Does he himself read such heavy-duty books? Ajay Jain deals in scholarly books on Indian history and politics. His shop—Manohar Publishers & Distributors—is frequented by scholars from India and abroad. In his 50s,…