Ridge Through the Ages: Dacoits | White Nawabs | Rebellion

Do you know that the first city for the Britishers in Delhi was not Lutyen’s Delhi but 100 years before that there was the Delhi of Fraser Metcalfe and Skinner! Let's explore Delhi's northern ridge while soaking in the winter sunset with stories of a changing city.

The year was 1803 the land north of the Mughal Capital Shahjahanabad was considered the backwaters of Delhi with a vast green cover and several small streams that fed a dilapidated Tughlaqi fortress. Its inhabitants were villagers and dacoits always at odds with the city folks. But within a few years this same area of the northern ridge boasted three of the most expansive estates of colonial India. These backwaters were now dotted with a castle a bungalow and various big and small residences all owned by the new power in Delhi… The British.

During the Ghadar of 1857 these grand residences became the target of disgruntled sepoy’s assault and a year later as the English laid siege to the Mughal Capital the Ridge served as their base. In the aftermath of 1857 as the world turned its attention to the horrors of the massacre… the ridge gained the status of a memorial commemorating the slain British soldiers and civillians and in 1911 it was the first choice for the new capital.

Join us in the Ridge to understand how this area was transformed into Delhi’s first British quarters. Travel through the pages of history to understand the making and unmaking of Delhi’s ridge… The laying out of Civil Lines… Establishment of the Delhi University… And even the genesis of many horror stories surviving in the forest.

Ltd seats so book your spot now!

DAY DATE & TIME: Saturday 31st Jan 2026 || 3:30 PM Onwards

MEETING POINT: Civil lines Delhi

CHARGES: Rs.750/person

DISCOUNTS:

* Rs 400/person for students participants below the age of 10 can join free.

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