<p>Located in the grounds of Ambedkar University, near the GPO, Kashmere Gate is the erstwhile Dara Shikoh Library, the building of which now houses the Department of Archaeology, Delhi Administration. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The library was built by Shah Jahan’s intellectual son and chosen successor, Dara Shikoh. <br />Dara Shikoh, known for his liberal ideas and who translated the Upanishads into Persian, was murdered by his brother Aurangzeb in 1659 – in the fight for supremacy of the throne. <br />His property along with this library passed through several hands before the British finally took it from the Marathas in 1803.<br /><br />Dara Shikoh Library was later used as a residency by Sir David Ochterlony, the first British Resident of Delhi. <br /><br />Sir Ochterlony renovated the original building of the library, added pillars to the front facade to form a verandah to the older structure. <br /><br />The present building, experts say, is but one of the rooms used by Dara Shikoh. At a careful glance, one can differentiate between the architectural Mughal designs which still exist in the interior of the building and the British styles on the exterior of the building. <br /><br />The variations in architecture also occur because the building was damaged to a great extent during India’s first war of Independence in 1857. The priceless collection of books and documents of the Mughal era were burned down by the British. <br /><br />However, one can still imagine the grandeur and opulence in which the first British Resident lived in Delhi, by just looking at the majestic imposing building. <br /><br />The building also characterised the nature of its first occupant, Sir Ochterlony. He was one of the only British officers who fully adopted the Mughal culture, customs, traditions and lifestyle.</p>
<p>Located in the grounds of Ambedkar University, near the GPO, Kashmere Gate is the erstwhile Dara Shikoh Library, the building of which now houses the Department of Archaeology, Delhi Administration. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The library was built by Shah Jahan’s intellectual son and chosen successor, Dara Shikoh. <br />Dara Shikoh, known for his liberal ideas and who translated the Upanishads into Persian, was murdered by his brother Aurangzeb in 1659 – in the fight for supremacy of the throne. <br />His property along with this library passed through several hands before the British finally took it from the Marathas in 1803.<br /><br />Dara Shikoh Library was later used as a residency by Sir David Ochterlony, the first British Resident of Delhi. <br /><br />Sir Ochterlony renovated the original building of the library, added pillars to the front facade to form a verandah to the older structure. <br /><br />The present building, experts say, is but one of the rooms used by Dara Shikoh. At a careful glance, one can differentiate between the architectural Mughal designs which still exist in the interior of the building and the British styles on the exterior of the building. <br /><br />The variations in architecture also occur because the building was damaged to a great extent during India’s first war of Independence in 1857. The priceless collection of books and documents of the Mughal era were burned down by the British. <br /><br />However, one can still imagine the grandeur and opulence in which the first British Resident lived in Delhi, by just looking at the majestic imposing building. <br /><br />The building also characterised the nature of its first occupant, Sir Ochterlony. He was one of the only British officers who fully adopted the Mughal culture, customs, traditions and lifestyle.</p>
