Trivial Pursuit 153

( Pic : Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, noted Lyricist-Director Gulzar, Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Pavan Varma and Kathak Danseuse Uma Sharma after unveiling the bust of Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib at his house 'Ghalib Haveli' in Gali Qasim Jaan, at 'XY' in Chandni Chowk in Delhi on December 26, 2010. )







One of the streets that branches out of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, leads to 'XY'.


In the Mughal period during the time of Shah Jahan, 'XY' was home to Delhi’s boat rowers; i.e. seasoned oarsmen whose wooden boats would gently ferry refined folks across the Yamuna River. Since this area was inhabited by people who rowed boats, it got the name 'XY'.

'X' is a Hindi word for bamboo or the pole with which a boat is propelled and 'Y' signifies the action of steering a boat.


The most famous resident of 'XY' was poet Mirza Ghalib who lived in his Haveli in Gali Qasim Jan.

'XY' is famous as a market for leather accessories, footwear, tailors, opticians and bangles. It is also known for 'Unani Hakeems' and exquisite Kabuli cuisine.


Another street that branches out of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, leads to 'Z'. 

'Z' derives its name from the Persian 'Dur-e be-baha', meaning 'pearl without comparision' because since the period of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the street used to be a popular market of precious stones, gems, gold and silver jewellery. Till today, it is known as jeweller's street although most of the shops in the street now deal in silver and costume jewellery.

Apart from jewellery, 'Z' is also famous as a market for old original wood work, and authentic 'Itr', i.e. special types of perfumed oils.


'XY' and 'Z' are referred and used beautifully as metaphors, in a famous Gulzar saab song.




Identify 'XY', 'Z', and the famous Hindi film song.