Why Is Faqir Chand Bookstore In Khan Market So Popular On Instagram?
Faqir-Chand Bookstore, located in New Delhi's upscale shopping district Khan Market, has become a celebrity of sorts on Instagram.
In the quest to bless their followers' feeds with aesthetic content shot in and around India, Instagram influencers have unironically visited places such as Udaipur and Kochi with their rose-tinted glasses and journalled them as 'hidden gems" of the country. What next, Taj Mahal? While the common (read: lazy) criticism towards the 'influencer" community can easily tiptoe into condescension and snobbish territory, the chronically online janta doom scrolling their nights away on their smartphones has developed a Geiger counter that starts going off when they come across something that is perceived as pretentious by the 'cool" lot.
Cue, Faqir-Chand Bookstore in New Delhi.
Faqir-Chand Bookstore
This book shop, located in the heart of New Delhi, has achieved a cult-like status on the Internet. Founded in 1951, the bookshop has remained a popular presence in Khan Market since the retail market was established that same year. It has not only survived but thrived in one of India's most expensive commercial spaces across generations. According to visitors, the shop evokes nostalgia, offers a diverse selection of carefully curated books, and features a warm, welcoming staff. With an unassuming entrance, the bookstore has seen the who's who of the world, including journalists, bureaucrats, and prominent figures of society.
The store has, over the years, become a favourite pitstop for book lovers to grab one during their visit.
Faqir-Chand Bookstore (Instagram Edition)
The bookstore has over 1 lakh followers on Instagram. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Faqir Chand & Sons attracts a lot of people from the younger demographic, including the 'influencer" community. Take a stroll in the Khan Market and you'll witness photoshoots taking place outside the entrance of the bookstore. Is that a bad thing? No. Are they harming anyone? No again. Has it become a spot that guarantees social media likes? Internet thinks so.
A Reddit user recently took to r/delhi Subreddit and asked the following: 'Why's Faqir-Chand Book store so hyped?"
'Went to the Faqir-Chand Book store today in Khan Market, Delhi and I failed to understand the hype. The customer service was poor, and the collection of the books they had was poorer. Why's this book store so hyped?" the OP wrote.
The responses poured in quickly.
'People just want to take their pictures in front gate of the store in kurta/kurti with tote bag," wrote one.
'Because of social media posts," a second chimed.
'I have never found any books on my list from khan market. There is no sense of cataloguing at faqir chand. It's a big mess and they are like just whadyougonnado hands in the air about it. Just piles and piles of books scattered around .. and the anarkali kurta 'teri deewani' crowd clicking pictures outside (new phenomenon), (sic)" a third added.
What Do The Rest Say?
Away from Reddit, the popular bookstore has generally popular and favourable reviews on Google.
'A hidden gem in the lanes of Khan Market! Fakir Chand Bookstore has an old-world charm and a wide selection of books—from classics to contemporary reads. The staff is polite and helpful, and the vibe is peaceful—perfect for book lovers who enjoy browsing at their own pace. A must-visit if you're in the area," a person awarding the store 4 out of 5 stars wrote.
'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.." a second reviewer added.
A third visitor who didn't have an enjoyable experience at the store criticised the congested nature of the shop and the selfie takers flocking outside.
'Owner is Friendly, but the Bookstore was more like a meeting place of Localites rather than a proper Book Lovers' Bookstore. Many local young people come here to take Selfies and make short reels. The Bookstore is very much Congested, one would not be able to browse Books patiently here. It's a fusion of a Retail Bookshop and a Small Warehouse of Books (sic)."
About the Author
Anurag Verma
Anurag Verma, News Editor at News18.com, works independently for the Viral section. Bollywood, Cricket, Science, Tech, YouTube, Reddit, Meme Origins and everything Pop-culture are his forte. He covers humourous...Read More
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New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
August 08, 2025, 18:08 IST
News explainers Why Is Faqir Chand Bookstore In Khan Market So Popular On Instagram?
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