The grand old man of Prithviraj

A city landmark glimpsed through a citizen's biography

- Mayank Austen Soofi

The grand moustache gives the shopkeeper the vibes of an army general. Indeed, Inder Parkash Narula has been victoriously commandeering a Delhi landmark through these long volatile decades.

Over the years, as his city changed, he astutely adapted his business to the change. Today, at “81 plus,” Inder Parkash is among the elders of Prithviraj, the rather subdued market separated by a narrow lane from the la di da of Khan Market.

This afternoon, Narula’s Stationery is densely crammed with the items. Like many veteran establishments of New Delhi, the shop traces its origins to a tragic episode of Indian history. Inder Parkash, the friendly proprietor, graciously agrees to sketch the outlines of this past, in his homey Punjabi accent.