Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Book Examines Culture, Conflict in Delhi's Urban Villages
Imagine Delhi is a really big city with famous old castles and new tall buildings that people always talk about.
But there are also many villages that are now inside this big city.
These villages used to be separate places, but now they are surrounded by the city.
A book called 'Sheher Mein Gaon' looks at these 'urban villages'.
The author talks to people who live there, both those who have lived there for a long time and those who have recently moved in.
She explores how these villages have changed, the problems they face like land issues and government rules, and the different kinds of people who live there.
It's like a hidden history of Delhi, showing that these villages are an important part of the city's story too, not just the big famous buildings.
Ekta Chauhan's book 'Sheher Mein Gaon' explores the complex issues within Delhi's urban villages.
The book examines nine villages, detailing their history, evolution, and inhabitants.
It highlights the challenges faced by these villages, including land pressures and government policies.
Chauhan weaves together facts, opinions, and personal stories from villagers and migrants.
The book offers an empathetic yet objective perspective on the 'sheher' (city) and its relationship with its 'gaons' (villages).
- Who
- Ekta Chauhan, author and assistant professor
- What
- A book titled 'Sheher Mein Gaon: Culture, Conflict and Change in the Urban Villages of Delhi' which examines the history, evolution, inhabitants, and livelihoods of Delhi's urban villages.
- When
- The book has been published recently.
- Where
- Delhi, India, focusing on nine specific urban villages.
- Why
- To articulate the many tangled issues and examine the past, present, and future of Delhi's urban villages, highlighting their often-overlooked significance.
Traditional View
Modern View
Definition of a City
Traditional View
A city is defined by its historical rulers and grand structures.
Modern View
A city is defined by migration and the arrival of diverse groups with new trades and skills.
- Book Title
- Sheher Mein Gaon: Culture, Conflict and Change in the Urban Villages of Delhi
- Author
- Ekta Chauhan
- Publisher
- Penguin India
- Number of Villages Examined
- Nine
- Author's Background
- Degrees in history, public policy, and World Heritage Studies
- Author's Affiliation
- Assistant Professor at OP Jindal Global University