History of Dara Shikoh Library

The Dara Shikoh Library in Delhi is an important library located near the General Post Office in Delhi, India. The building is historically very important because it was built by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal emperor Shahjahan, and was later used as the residence of Sir David Ochterlony – the first British resident of Delhi. After Aurangzeb murdered Dara Shikoh in 1659, the ownership of this library passed through many hands until it finally landed with the British who took it from the Marathas in 1803.

Sir Ochterlony revamped the original structure of the building by adding few pillars and a verandah. The room which now serves as the library was one of those used by Dara Shikoh. The interior of the building still reflects the architectural splendor of the Mughals while the exterior boasts of the typical British style. It was greatly damaged

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Located in the grounds of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, near the General Post Office, is the Dara Shikoh Library of the Department of Archaeology, Delhi Administration. The building is of immense historical importance as it was built by Shah Jahan's liberal intellectual son and chosen successor, Dara Shikoh, and was later used as a residency by Sir David Ochterlony, the first British Resident of Delhi. Dara Shikoh was murdered by his brother Aurangzeb in 1659 and his property along with this library passed through several hands before the British finally took it from Marathas in 1803.

Sir Ochterlony renovated the original building of Dara Shikoh and added the pillars and the verandah to the older structure. The present library was one of the rooms used by Dara Shikoh. If one looks carefully one can differentiate between the architectural designs of the interior (Mughal) and exterior (British) of the building. This task can be a bit time consuming because the building was damaged to a great extent during the 1857 war and robbed of its precious books. However, one can still imagine the grandeur and opulence in which the first British Resident lived in Delhi, by looking the majestic building. The building also characterized 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. Dara Shikoh Library Building is popularly known by its name due to its association with Dara Shikoh, eldest son of Shahjahan, the Mughal emperor. It was once the residence of Ali Mardan Khan, Mughal Viceroy of Punjab(1639 A.D.), later enlarged by the British and used as residency of Sir David Octherlony during 1803 AD. It had also housed a Govt. College and school from 1804 to 1904 A.D. During this period, the building had undergone considerable changes. There is a basement on the rear side of the building which was hidden by debris and stair case. After removing the debris and stairs, the original Mughal structure was exposed in the year 2001 thereby discovered red sand stone arches and ornamental pillars.

Dara Shikoh (1615–1659) was the eldest son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

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