Meet man who was among first Delhi residents to own car, telephone, bought Fatehpuri Mosque from British for...

Chunnamal Ki Haveli, which is 170 years old, stands out as one of the most iconic landmarks in Delhi's Walled City. This haveli has managed to retain its grandeur amid several such in Old Shahjahanabad (now Old Delhi) and was originally owned by Lala Chunnamal, a wealthy merchant from Shahjahanabad.

As a wealthy textile merchant, primarily dealing in brocade, Lala Chunnamal owned much of the area around Chandni Chowk. Known as one of Shahjahanabad's wealthiest inhabitants, he also worked as a moneylender during the Mughal era, reportedly earning over Rs 1 lakh per month. He was among the earliest residents of Delhi to own a car and have a telephone connection.

Later, he ventured into banking, becoming a major shareholder in the Delhi London Bank. Favoured by the British post the Revolt of 1857, Lala Chunnamal was eventually elected as the Municipal Commissioner.

During this period, the British auctioned the Fatehpuri Mosque in Chandni Chowk to Lala Chunnamal for Rs 19,000. This mosque, built in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, one of Emperor Shah Jahan's wives, was preserved by Lala Chunnamal, an upper-caste Hindu from an orthodox family. Unlike the Akbarabadi Mosque, which the British demolished, Lala Chunnamal ensured the preservation of the mosque for 20 years.

When Muslims were permitted to return to Old Delhi, the Fatehpuri Mosque was returned to them, and Lala Chunnamal was compensated with four villages in return. It was restored to the Muslims at the Delhi Durbar.  The Khari Baoli, which is today Asia's largest spice market, gradually developed after the construction of the mosque.