Commonly known as the Bhagirath Palace and North India's biggest electrical goods wholesale market, Begum Samru's Palace was originally owned by a witty Kashmiri Muslim woman, Begum Samru. Formerly known as Dilkhush Kothi, the palace was built in 1822 by the Begum. A splendid flight of steps marks the palace, forming the entrance and opening on to extensive grounds. Covering an area of 75 acres, the palace now houses the St. Charles' College.
Born in 1753, Begum Samru pompously lived in this mammoth white mansion that was once considered one of the grandest houses in Delhi with huge columns and large rooms. Such was her authority that even the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam called upon her trained private army when required. Begum Samru married an English mercenary soldier from Luxembourg named Walter Reinhard, who was lovingly called Sombre by his friends because of his long brooding face and thus the title Samru was derived and became locally popular. Begum Samru was also famous in the European social circle for throwing lavish social gatherings at her residence, in the early 19th century, before her death in 1836.
Now a very busy commercial place, it is difficult for a visitor to imagine the building in its original grandeur with a lovely sprawling garden stretching till Chandni Chowk. Incidentally, this building is also the same place where the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah was brought as a captive after the 1857 war of independence. He was later sent to Rangoon in exile.
Address – Main Chandni Chowk Road (Near Kumar Cinema Hall), Delhi
How to Reach – The best way to get here is to take a Metro to the Chandni Chowk station. One could also hire an auto or take local buses going towards Old Delhi but not recommended due to the chaotic traffic situation in this area.
Timings – Sunrise to Sunset