Ghantewala facts for kids
The Ghantewala Halwai was a very old and famous sweet shop in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. It opened way back in 1790. This made it one of India's oldest traditional sweet shops. Many important people bought sweets here. These included Mughal Emperors and even Indian Presidents and Prime Ministers. People like Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi enjoyed its treats. The shop was also a popular place for visitors in Old Delhi. It was especially known for its delicious Sohan Halwa. Sadly, in July 2015, the shop closed. This happened because fewer people were buying sweets and there were some legal problems.
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History of Ghantewala
The Ghantewala shop was started by Lala Sukh Lal Jain. He came to Delhi from Amber, India. This was during the rule of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. Lala Sukh Lal Jain's family ran the shop for seven generations.
How Ghantewala Got Its Name
There are two main stories about how the shop got its unique name, "Ghantewala." "Ghantewala" means "bell-man" in Hindi.
One story says that Emperor Shah Alam II named it. He lived in the Red Fort. From there, he could hear a bell ringing from a school near the sweet shop. When he wanted sweets, he would tell his servants to get them from the "shop below the bell." Over time, this became simply "Ghantewala."
Another story is about the founder, Lala Sukh Lal Jain himself. When he first started, he would walk around the streets. He would ring a bell to let people know he was selling sweets. People started calling him "Ghantewala" because of this. Later, when he opened his shop, he decided to name it "Ghantewala."
Fame and Products
Ghantewala's sweets were famous even before the Indian Rebellion of 1857. A newspaper from that time, 'Dihli Urdu Akhbar', wrote about how good the sweets were. It said that even rebels would stop fighting to enjoy the sweets from Ghantewala.
Lala Sukh Lal Jain first sold a Rajasthani sweet called Mishri Mawa. By 2015, the shop offered many different kinds of sweets. They had about 40 to 50 varieties. These sweets would change depending on the season or special festivals. The family later split, and another branch opened a shop nearby. One of the original shops closed. However, another shop, "Ghantewala Confectioners," is run by a family member named Nirmal Jain. It is located near Gali Paranthe Wali in Chandni Chowk.
Popular Sweets and Snacks
The 'Sohan Halwa' was a very popular sweet. People from far away, even from the Gulf region, loved it. Other favorites included Pista Burfi and 'motichoor ki ladoo'. Kalakand and Karachi halwa were also popular. The shop also sold snacks like makkan choora. Before it closed, Ghantewala offered traditional Indian snacks. These included namkeen, samosa, and kachori. During festivals like Holi, they would sell special sweets like gujiyas.
Why Ghantewala Closed
The famous Ghantewala shop closed in July 2015. Many people were very sad and surprised by this. The Indian Express newspaper said it caused "shock and a sense of loss." The Hindu newspaper compared it to a "funeral service" for a city icon.
There were a few reasons for the closure. One reason was that people's tastes were changing. More people started buying chocolates instead of traditional sweets. Another big reason was legal problems. Sushant Jain, who was the seventh generation owner, explained his difficulties. He said his workshop had been sealed in 2000. He had to go to court hearings for 15 years. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee wanted them to move their workshop. He felt he did not have the money or strength to do this. He said, "This system has defeated me." The family was heartbroken to close the shop.
See also
- Punjabi Chandu Halwai Karachiwala, Mumbai
- K.C. Das Grandsons, Kolkata
- Kesar Da Dhaba, Amritsar
- Badkul Mishtan Bhandar, Japalpur
