Today, these areas are known for their markets, residential colonies and busy roads. From Sarai Kale Khan and Sheikh Sarai to Yusuf Sarai and Jia Sarai, the word ‘Sarai’ features in the names of several Delhi neighbourhoods. But the names have a much older connection to the city, dating back to a time when roadside inns offered travellers and traders a place to stop during long journeys.
Some also had wells, mosques, stables and spaces to store goods. (Also Read: ‘Don’t be in a hurry’: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon shares grandmother’s career advice ) According to historian Shama Mitra Chenoy’s research paper, Sanctity and Materiality: Sarais of Delhi 1739-1916, sarais once dotted the areas surrounding Delhi and played an important role in trade. A 2024 report by The Indian Express explored these accounts, including the possibility that a sarai was built by a man named Kale Khan. The word ‘Sarai’ refers to an inn or resting place. Many were large enclosed structures, with rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Merchants brought goods from different parts of the country to these establishments before transporting them into the city. This helped prevent caravans and large quantities of goods from crowding the already busy markets of Shahjahanabad. Sarais continued to be built under different rulers, including the Delhi Sultanate, Sher Shah Suri and the Mughals. Many eventually fell into disrepair, disappeared or were absorbed into settlements as the city expanded. Several neighbourhoods in Delhi still have ‘Sarai’ in their names. Sarai Kale Khan is one of the best-known examples. there are different accounts of how it got its name While the area has a long history. Other localities include Sheikh Sarai, Yusuf Sarai, Jia Sarai, Lado Sarai, Katwaria Sarai, Ber Sarai and Neb Sarai. the origins of their names are not equally well documented While they share the word ‘Sarai’. In some cases, the names are linked to older settlements or historical landmarks. As Delhi grew, many of its older settlements became part of the expanding city. Places that once served as stopping points for travellers and traders gradually developed into residential neighbourhoods. A Hindustan Times Delhiwale feature on Sarai Kale Khan also traces the area’s history as an old transit point. Yet the word ‘Sarai’ in their names offers a reminder of the travellers and traders who once passed through these parts of Delhi.
Historically, sarais were built along important trade routes and near towns to accommodate travellers, merchants and their animals. The area was also historically home to Gujjar settlements. its name continues to carry that association. (Also Read: Goose found bleeding with rusty metal ring stuck around its beak in US, rescued ) Today, residents are more likely to associate these localities with familiar markets, metro stations and residential areas than with old roadside inns Although much of the original sarai structure may no longer survive.
