Dariba Kalan

Location: The street next to the Esplanade Road before just before Gurdwara Sisganj on the Chandni Chowk road

Famous as: Street of the Incomparable Pearl/ Jewelers' street

Time to visit: Open on all days, except on Sunday

Preferred Timings: 11.30 am to 8.00 pm

Admission Fees: Free and open to all

Photography charges: nil

How to Reach:Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this market, or they can hire auto-rickshaws, taxis and metro rail.

Nearest Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station

Nearest Metro Station: Delhi Main

Functional Metro Station: Delhi Main

Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport

Time required for sightseeing: About 35 minutes

After crossing the Esplanade Road, a left turn just before Gurdwara Sisganj on the Chandni Chowk road will take to the 'Street of the Incomparable Pearl', Dariba Kalan. The street derives its name from a Persian phrase 'Dur e be baha', meaning 'pearl without compare' because since the period of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the street used to be the popular market of precious stones, gems, gold and silver jewelry. Till today it is known as jewelers' street although most of shops in the street now deal in silver and costume jewelry. It is a very good market for purchasing new or old silver jewelry, because of the wide choice available. Apart from jewelery, some shops of the market also deal in authentic itra, a special type of perfume and attar and claim to be in the trade from the early 19th century.

As far as history is concerned, the street witnessed the bloody massacre of 1739, ordered by the cruel invader Nadir Shah. It was here that the soldiers of the Persian army killed many innocent citizens of Delhi and looted the precious gem stones and gold jewelry stored in the shops at Dariba Kalan.

Last Updated On: 2011/09/07