Why it belongs in ORBIS
Delhi attar house founded 1816 by Lala Gulab Singh and his son Lala Johrimal, originally 'Gulab Gundhi ki Dukaan.' Still family-run in its seventh generation, producing natural fragrance oils via traditional deg-bhapka distillation.
Gulab Singh Johrimal is a Delhi perfumery founded in 1816 by Lala Gulab Singh, originally from Jhajjar, and his son Lala Johrimal. It began as an attar-manufacturing business known as 'Gulab Gundhi ki Dukaan' and, according to local accounts, counted the poet Ghalib among its early customers. The company's head office has long been on Dariba Kalan, considered Old Delhi's oldest retail market. Still run by the family - now in its seventh generation - the house produces natural fragrance oils using traditional deg-bhapka distillation, a copper-still method for extracting scent from flowers, wood and other botanicals.