Historian Eric Chopra brings Delhi’s ghost stories to life in new book ‘Ghosted’

Delhi, a city known for its grand forts, ancient tombs, and royal palaces, has always carried whispers of mystery and the supernatural. Historian Eric Chopra’s new book, “Ghosted: Delhi’s Haunted Monuments,” brings those whispers to life. The book explores Delhi’s most haunted places and the ghostly legends that continue to live in its air.

Published by Speaking Tiger and set to release on November 25, the book is a fascinating journey through the capital’s forgotten corners. From old mosques and Mughal tombs to abandoned palaces and gateways, “Ghosted” uncovers the hidden side of Delhi — one filled with stories of saints, sultans, poets, and lovers who seem to still wander through its ruins.

Chopra’s book takes readers on a historical adventure to famous yet eerie sites like Jamali-Kamali, Firoz Shah Kotla, Khooni Darwaza, the Mutiny Memorial, and Malcha Mahal. These places are not only rich in history but also known for their strange stories — of jinns who listen to prayers, queens who never left their palaces, and Sufi saints who continue to bless people even after centuries.

In his book, Chopra describes Delhi as “a city between two worlds” — one that exists in reality and another that lives in memories and myths. “Ghosted,” he says, was born from his curiosity and years of exploring Delhi’s ruins. “As a historian and a Dilliwala, I have always been drawn to the stories and legends that wrap around this city’s monuments. People often ask me about the ghosts and jinns in Delhi, and why its history feels so haunted,” he shared.

Chopra is not new to history. He is the founder of Itihāsology, a platform that celebrates Indian history and art. Through his heritage walks across Delhi, he has guided many people through ancient lanes, explaining how the past still speaks through the stones. His new book continues that journey — blending facts from archives with folklore and oral stories that have been passed down for generations.

According to the publisher, “Ghosted” reveals the many layers of Delhi — from its royal past to its spiritual mysteries. “Eric is a natural storyteller,” said Sudeshna Shome Ghosh, Executive Publisher at Speaking Tiger. “His passion for history and deep research make him a writer who connects the past with the present. We believe readers, both young and old, will enjoy discovering Delhi through his words.”

What makes “Ghosted” special is how it turns history into living stories. Chopra doesn’t just list facts; he paints pictures of the city’s mood, showing how every broken wall and crumbling arch holds a memory. He mixes history with emotion, inviting readers to imagine the city’s nights filled with echoes of prayers, poetry, and footsteps from the past.

Through this book, readers can expect to meet Delhi’s forgotten characters — not only rulers and saints but also common people who loved, lost, and left their marks on the city. Chopra’s writing makes Delhi feel like a living museum where history, legend, and mystery blend together.

For many, “Ghosted” will be more than a history book. It is a reminder that cities like Delhi are made of stories — stories that breathe in the silence of old buildings, in the chill of the evening air, and in the memories that never fade.

With “Ghosted,” Eric Chopra invites readers to walk through Delhi not just as tourists, but as listeners — to feel the spirits of time, to hear the whispers of history, and to see how the city’s haunted beauty connects its glorious past to its mysterious present.