Karol Bagh

Etymology

The name Karol Bagh, also spelled Qarol Bagh, derives from the Hindi-Urdu words "Qarol" (क़रोल, قرول) meaning "curved like green chilly" and "Bagh" (बाग़, باغ) meaning "garden". The place was named for the numerous herbal gardens in the area.

History

In the 1920s, the villages of Madhoganj, Jaisingh Pura, Raja ka Bazaar, and others were evacuated to build Connaught Place and nearby areas. The villagers were relocated once to the west of Karol Bagh, then to a second rocky area populated by trees and bushes.

Karol Bagh was primarily populated with Muslims until the mass exodus to Pakistan at the time of the Partition of India in 1947, which also resulted in an influx of refugees from West Punjab and Sindh, many of whom were traders. There is a sizable Marathi-speaking population, a Tamil-speaking population, and a large Bengali community, most of whom are employed in jewellery manufacturing. Karol Bagh hosts one of the oldest Durga Puja in the city.

There were incidents at Karol Bagh during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, including burning of shops. Karol Bagh was the target of a terrorist bomb blast in Ghaffar Market in October 2008.

Education

The historic Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College was inaugurated here by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921,{{cite news|access-date=2007-12-15|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/25/stories/2003122501080300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041112093024/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/25/stories/2003122501080300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-11-12

Faith Academy Senior Secondary School is a Christian minority school on John L Dorsey Road. The school was founded in East Patel Pragar in 1964.

Markets

Karol Bagh is a popular shopping destination for affluent residents of West and Central Delhi. Known for its bustling markets, Karol Bagh features prominent shopping areas such as Ajmal Khan Road and Arya Samaj Road. The market is one of the oldest shopping centers in Delhi, offering a wide variety of goods from large air-conditioned showrooms to small, quaint shops in narrow alleys.

Specialized Market Areas

Several areas within Karol Bagh are known for their specialization in particular types of goods:

• Ajmal Khan Road: Initially famous for inexpensive ready-made garments, cotton yarn, and embroidered garments, Ajmal Khan Road now boasts large stores and international labels, alongside traditional Indian snacks and spices.
• Arya Samaj Road: This road is renowned for its second-hand bookshops, attracting book lovers and collectors.
• Bank Street: Known for its numerous jewelry shops, Bank Street is particularly famous for bridal trousseau jewelry.
• Ghaffar Market: A diverse market offering a wide range of products, including cosmetics, watches, cell phones, and footwear.

Karol Bagh's diverse shopping options and specialized market areas make it a prominent and attractive destination for shoppers in Delhi.

Transport

The nearest railway stations are Delhi Sarai Rohilla and Delhi Kishanganj, both about a kilometer from Central Karol Bagh. Karol Bagh is situated at a distance of 20 – 22 km. from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and 4.1 km. from New Delhi Railway Station. It is also serviced by the Karol Bagh Metro station, located on the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro.

Gallery

File:Karol Bagh Market - Revitalized 2019.jpg|Karol Bagh Market File:Karol Bagh Market New Look.jpg|Karol Bagh Market File:Karol Bagh.jpg|Karol Bagh 2019 File:Karol Bagh Metro Station - Revitalized 2019.jpg|Karol Bagh Metro Station File:Karol Bagh Without Traffic.jpg|Karol Bagh Market File:Karol Bagh Modern Look.jpg|Karol Bagh Market

In popular culture

• A TV series shown on Zee TV, 12/24 Karol Bagh (2009–2010), was shot and produced in Delhi. Its subsequent success started the trend for many TV serials being set in Delhi.
• Zoya Singh Solanki, the central character in the romantic comedy novel by Anuja Chauhan, The Zoya Factor (2008) lives in Karol Bagh, who ends up becoming the lucky mascot for the Indian cricket team in the novel.
• In recent years the 108-foot Hanuman statue has become an iconic landmark marking the entrance to Karol Bagh and is seen regularly featured in Bollywood movies showcasing New Delhi.
• In the 2021 movie Bell Bottom, Akshay Kumar's character lived in Gurudwara Road, Karol Bagh.
• In the movie Befikre, Ranveer Singh's character lived in Karol Bagh. There's a dialogue that says "you might have left Karol Bagh, but Karol Bagh hasn't left you".

References

References

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5. "क़रोल-बाग़". [[Rekhta (website).
6. (25 March 2007). "When the spoken word changes meaning". [[The Financial Express (India).
7. (1 September 2011). "A tale of two cities". Hindustan Times.
8. Singh, Andrea. (1976). "Neighbourhood and Social Networks In Urban India". Marwah Publications.
9. Ganesh, Narayani. (2002-09-15). "Ubiquitous 'Madrasi' in Delhi". [[The Times of India]].
10. Das, Veena. (2007). "Life and words: violence and the descent into the ordinary". University of California Press.
11. (17 October 2015}}{{Dead link). "Karol Bagh's markets live in constant fear of a terrorist attack".
12. (2023-03-07). "The Journey".
13. "New Delhi Railway Station Bhavbhuti Marg and Karol Bagh by Road, Distance Between New Delhi Railway Station Bhavbhuti Marg and Karol Bagh , Distance by Road from New Delhi Railway Station Bhavbhuti Marg and Karol Bagh with Travel Time, Karol Bagh Distance from New Delhi Railway Station Bhavbhuti Marg, Driving Direction Calculator from new delhi railway station bhavbhuti marg and karol bagh".
14. (17 December 2010). "Delhi's driving TV content". [[The Times of India]].
15. (21 October 2008). "Books: The Zoya Factor: Chick-lit cricket, Interview". CNN-IBN.