Faqir Chand Bookstore: A 73-Year-Old Haven For Bibliophiles

Tapping into nostalgia is something Delhi does best. From the bustling bazaars of Purani Dilli to monuments that transport you back in time, the capital city effortlessly takes you to an era of love letters, horse-drawn carriages, and post offices. Roaming through its lanes, I often stumble upon things that carry the old-world charm of a bygone India, and it warms my heart to see fragments of it still alive. One such place is Faqir Chand Bookstore in Khan Market, a 73-year-old bookstore, basically a narrow lane with books above books, stacked to the roof. 

The sign outside reads "Established in 1951," but the bookstore's story goes back further. It began in Peshawar, Pakistan, about 20 years earlier. After partition, the family fled to Delhi and was allotted a shop and flat in Khan Market. Mr Faqir Chand restarted his bookstore here from scratch, and today, it’s one of the city's most iconic spots—where visitors come to read, share stories, click pictures, and take home more books than they planned.

Now, the fourth generation of the family runs this store and to keep the old-world look alive, the furniture has been kept as it is. There is some unexplainable connectivity that everyone feels. Even the elderly come accompanied by their grandkids and then they start recounting stories from their time. Just one single lane in one of the poshest markets in Delhi, and once you step there, you'll step right into the 1950s. Yes, that's the beauty the place holds dear. 

Even though the store may look like it has not been changed in ages, they do update and replace their stacks with all the popular, classic, as well as rare books. There are no strict divisions by genre—you’ll find a delightful mix of everything, making the experience feel like a treasure hunt. Although, there are dedicated stacks for Hindi literature, self-help books, and children’s reads, which add some order to the charming chaos.

There is a little aesthetic corner on the backside where they have kept a photo frame displaying Faqir Chand Book Store's sketch complimented with a vase with beautiful flowers. Adding to the emotional depth of the space is a hanging poster of "Mai Tenu Phir Milangi," along with heartfelt notes left by customers on a wall.

The nearest metro station to Faqir Chand Bookstore is Khan Market on the Violet Line. From the station, the bookstore is approximately 500 meters away, which is about a 7-minute walk or just a 4-minute drive by car.