Ghalib Academy and Library Memorial Museum

Location:Just opposite Nizamuddin's shrine at the eastern end of Lodi Road and near Mathura Road

Time to Visit:Monday-Saturday, Sunday closed

Preferred Timings:11:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Admission Fee: Free and open to all

Photography charges: nil but permission required

How to Reach:Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this monument, which is located near the Mathura Road or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.

Nearest Railway Station: Nizamuddin Railway Station

Nearest Metro Station: Pragati Maidan

Functional Metro Station: Central Secretariat

Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport

Time required for sightseeing: 60 minutes

Just opposite the popular shrine of Nizamuddin, near the mausoleum of Mirza Ghalib (1797- 1869) lies the famous Ghalib Academy and Library Memorial established in 1969 as a 'literary and cultural' institution of the capital. Inaugurated by then the President of India, Zakir Hussain on the death centenary of Ghalib, the great Mughal court poet who is regarded by many as the last classical poet and the first modern poet of India, the academy houses a rich library, museum and an auditorium.

The main attraction of the academy is its well-laid museum at the top floor with years old photographs and paintings of great poets like Bahadur Shah Zafar's court poet, Zauq, Abdur Rehman Chugtai, Mohd. Hussain Azad and Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali along with Ghalib's statue and portraits depicting different phases of his life. Do look at the farman (orders) of Balban, a Sultan of Delhi of 14th century A.D, rare manuscript of Dara Shikoh, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's elder son and Abul Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari in the museum.

The other interesting exhibits of the museum are the ornamented specimens of calligraphy or katabas and waslis, in kufic script, collection of coins and postal stamps of eighteenth century as well as of recent time, Ghalib's writings in his hand-written postcards and letters and some his personal belongings like clothes, his personal chessboard made out of cloth with wooden pieces, shoes, his walking stick and cutlery items. Carvings and paintings of modern artists describing the couplets of Ghalib are also displayed in the museum.

The unusual attractiveness of the museum is the section where dummies of Ghalib's favorite dishes like seekh kabab, shammi kabab, murg massalam, kofta, dal chana, yakhni and besani roti etc are displayed.

Since its inception, the Academy is striving hard to promote the study of Urdu literature through its different schemes and projects. Apart from teaching Fan-e-khattati (calligraphy), Urdu typewriting, Kitabat (composing of books and manuscripts), Urdu shorthand, proof reading, translation work and the training in Urdu journalism, the academy maintains a library containing collections of almost all of Ghalib's writings including the complete edition of his renowned work Diwan as well as relevant material for research on the great poet. The library also houses the writings and poems of all his contemporary poets and writers.

Special Event / Annual Event

Interesting lectures, mushairas, and talks are organized in the academy's auditorium from time to time.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Atgah Khan's Tomb, Mirza Ghalib's Tomb, Chaunsath Khamba, Nila Gumbad, Purana Qila, Delhi Zoo, Sabz Burz, Nili Chhatri, India Gate, Ashokan Rock Edict, Khairul Manzil Masjid.

Nearby Places to Eat

There are many roadside food stalls, which serve Islamic delicacies apart from the famous Nizamuddin's Karim. Hotel Oberoi in the vicinity, Sweet Corner, Nathu's (both in Sunder Nagar Market), Flavors of Defence colony and Indian Habitat Center in Lodi Road are some popular eating joints.

Nearby Shopping Venues

Sunder Nagar Market (antiques, jewellery, brassware), Lajpat Nagar (one stop for all your needs especially garments), Connaught Place (jewellery, books, art galleries, leather goods and the list goes on) Central Cottage Industries (merchandise and curios), Janpath (clothes and low priced gifts, souvenirs and curios) and Palika Bazaar (electronic items).

Last Updated On: 2011/07/04