Neharwali Haveli
An interview broadcast on a popular news channel by the President of a neighboring country suddenly created interest in one of the Havelis of the old walled city, located at Kucha Saadullah Khan, behind Golcha cinema of Daryaganj. Overnight the Haveli became popular and one of the favorite tourist destinations of Old Delhi. The Haveli is Neharwali Haveli, the current Pakistani President, General Pervez Musharraf’s ancestral home. It was in this haveli that General Musharraf was born and spent the first four years of his childhood. Though now in a dilapidated condition as it has given way to a residential and commercial complex, Neharwali Haveli was bought by Musharraf’s grandfather Qazi Mohtashimuddin after he retired as the commissioner of Punjab. General Musharraf’s father Syed Musharraf Uddin later moved to Pakistan with his whole family deserting the haveli during the partition of India.
However, apart from being associated with Musharraf’s family, Neharwali Haveli also has historical significance as the main minister or wazir of the court of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar lived in it. The haveli is located in that area of the walled city where Muslim culture, traditions and etiquette flourished as this part housed the havelis of many Mughal noble families who had commanded much respect and esteem in the court.
At present, the haveli is occupied by more than 5 families and is situated between crowded clusters of narrow alleys and it is difficult for anyone to imagine its original grandeur.
