Sweet victory at Pul Mithaiwala. That’s what the locals say. Pul Mithaiwala isn’t just a name. It’s a story whispered on the Delhi wind. A story of sweets and Sikhs and a Mughal emperor.
In 1783 Sardar Baghel Singh and his Sikh army conquered the Red Fort. They celebrated their victory in a most unusual way. They distributed sweets from a bridge. This bridge became known as Pul Mithai. Pul Mithaiwala is the name of that place today.
The Mughal emperor Shah Alam II wasn’t amused. He negotiated with Baghel Singh. The deal was simple. Baghel Singh would get to build gurdwaras at significant Sikh sites in Delhi. In return he would leave the Red Fort. He would also get a share of the taxes collected by the Mughals. He agreed to this four-year arrangement.
Dr Mohinder Singh from the National Institute of Punjab Studies says it’s common. Conquerors celebrate their victories. Baghel Singh’s celebration involved sharing sweets with the poor. He did this from Pul Mithai. The bridge wasn’t there much longer.
The bridge itself is a mystery. It existed in 1783. The first railway lines arrived decades later in the 1860s. How could a bridge exist before the railways? No one knows for sure. The area is now crowded. Cars are parked haphazardly. Spices dry fruits and grains are sold from temporary stalls. The sweet history however remains. It’s in the name Pul Mithaiwala. A lasting reminder of a sweet victory long ago. A sweet reminder of a past that lingers in the air of Delhi. Pul Mithaiwala whispers stories of sweets power and a unique deal struck centuries ago. Come and taste the history of Pul Mithaiwala.