Ancient Mughal tradition of pigeon-rearing thrives in India’s capital

In the heart of New Delhi, a small group of enthusiasts continues to practise kabootarbaazi, an ancient pigeon-rearing tradition dating back to the era of the Mughal Empire. The practice, once patronised by emperors, is now kept alive by dedicated trainers who pass the skill down through generations.
In the bustling lanes near Jama Masjid, 30-year-old Azhar Udeen gathers daily with his younger brother and friends on a rooftop terrace. Together, they release more than 120 pigeons of various breeds from their cages, watching as the birds circle the sky in coordinated formations above the dense neighbourhood.
The pigeons are carefully fed and trained to fly in patterns, often competing in informal races as onlookers cheer from nearby rooftops and balconies. For Udeen, the tradition is deeply personal. “I saw my grandfather doing this when I was a child, and as I grew up, I learned from my ustad (teacher)”, he said, describing years of observation and practice.
Kabootarbaazi derives from the Hindi and Urdu word for pigeon and has roots in a time when birds were trained not only for sport but also to carry messages across long distances between cities and battlefields. Today, while their role as messengers has faded, the discipline and patience required to train them remain unchanged.
Training typically takes up to four months. Handlers teach pigeons to fly against the wind, maintain formation and return home after covering significant distances. Trainers sometimes create loud sounds — such as striking a whip against a hard surface — to encourage the birds to fly farther and build endurance during practice sessions.
Beyond the technical skill, practitioners say the tradition offers something more intangible. Rooftop gatherings have become a social ritual, where friends and students come together in a shared space of calm amidst the city’s intensity and noise.
For many, kabootarbaazi is as much about community as it is about the birds. “We sit together and all the tensions from work or home disappear”, said fellow pigeon-keeper Kahlifa Mohsin. “That sense of peace is the true purpose behind pigeon keeping”. — Reuters