: Once Patronised by the Mughals, Delhi’s 205-YO Perfumery Still Smells of Success #IndiaNEWS #Delhi Established in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Chandni Chowk is undoubtedly one of Delhi’s

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Once Patronised by the Mughals, Delhi’s 205-YO Perfumery Still Smells of Success #IndiaNEWS #Delhi
Established in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Chandni Chowk is undoubtedly one of Delhi’s busiest marketplaces. One can spend an entire day in this market and still come back feeling like they haven’t visited every shop. Each little gulli (lane) has a story to tell and almost every shop adds to its charm.
Home to the famous poet Mirza Ghalib, Chandni Chowk also houses a perfumery established in 1816 by Lala Gulab Singh and his son Lala Johrimal called Gulab Singh Johrimal, at 320 Dariba Kalan.
Lala Banarsi Das
The perfumery continues to be operated and managed by the same family and while the fragrances that were sold in the early days continue to be bestsellers, with every new generation there have been new additions to the product lines. The youngest of the three brothers, Mukul Gundhi, who manages the business and takes us through the many years of its existence not before listing out the ‘right way’ to apply perfume.
“Never apply perfume directly on the skin, even if it is in its purest form.
Just another day at the store.
Dab a little perfume onto your palm, rub both the palms together and then dab your palm on the apparel you are wearing. This will ensure that even if you sweat the fragrance is not lost,� he lists, excitedly.
“My brothers, Atul and Praful and I are seventh-generation entrepreneurs in this shop,� Mukul proudly says, adding that his nephew has recently joined the business, ushering in the eighth generation. While there are no official records, according to stories that have been passed on through the generations, the shop has enjoyed patronage from the daughters of Akbar Shah II, Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Emperor of India and many nawabs and poets over the years.
Groomed for business
Mukul Gundhi and Atul Gundhi
Mukul says that since he can remember, he knew that he would be a part of the business. His ‘internship’ at the store started off rather early in life. “Our home is very close to the shop and that, in a way, helped a great deal. It was always easy to reach the store and we were called any time help was needed,� he says. He recalls festivals like Diwali being the busiest at the store and has very fond memories of helping out.
“The number of people required to man the store during festivals always increased, and our father, Ram Singh, would turn to the three of us to assist,� he adds. There was also a lot of enthusiasm amongst the brothers to be at the store. Being in Chandni Chowk during the festival was just another factor that attracted them to do their job. “The festivities started way before the actual festival and it felt like everyone was out celebrating,� he says.

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