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Delhi City Travel
The first city of Delhi, Lal Kot was founded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal,
in the 11th century. It was extended to Qila Rai Pithora by King Vigraharaja
IV (Circa 1153-64). Qutbuddin Aibak became Delhi's first Sultan in 1206
and laid the foundations of the Qutb Minar, India's tallest stone tower
at the site of the first city of Delhi subsequently the kings of the Sultanate
dynasties, Khaljis, Tughluqs Sayyids and Lodis continued to build. New cities
as Delhi grew.
The second city around Siri by Alaud-Din Khalji (1296-1316); Tughlaqabad,
the third city built by Ghiysud-Din Tughlug (1321-51); Firuzabad, the fifth
city of Delhi, is now represented by Kotla Firuz Shah, founded by Firuz
Shah Tughluq (1351-88).
It was Humayun who laid the foundations of the sixth city - Dinpanah. This
was destroyed and reconstructed as the Purana Qila by Sher Shah Suri however,
it was the Mughals who took Delhi to the zenith of architectural glory.
While some construction activities did continue during the reign of Akbar
(1556-1605) and Jehangir (1605-27), it was Shah Jehan (1628-58) who built
the seventh city, Shahjahanabad which remained the Mughal capital until
1857.
The British in 1911 shifted the capital of India to Delhi. The eighth city
of New Delhi took shape in the imperial style of architecture. From then
to now Delhi continues to throb with vitality and hope.
The ruins and ramparts still stand tall in dignity - and amidst them rise
modern buildings and giant skyscrapers. It's a breathtaking synthesis of
yesterday and tomorrow, the holding on to the past and surging ahead to
the furture.
As you walk along the narrow bylanes of this city of dreams, tread softly.
Every crumbling wall has a story to tell. Every yesterday is replete with
history. Rulers have come and gone. The city has lived through wars and
resurrection, repeatedly rising from the ashes.
Cradling civilisations since times immemorial Delhi goes back hundreds of
thousands of years back into time.
Stone tools belonging to early stone age were discovered from the Aravalli
tracts in and around Anangpur, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Campus, the
northern ridge and elsewhere - evidence that the Early Man lived here.
Excavations at Mandoli and Bhorgarh in east and north-west Delhi respectively
have thrown up remains of chalcolithic period dating back to 2nd millennium
BC, 1st millennium BC as well remains of 4th-5th century AD have been traced
here.
The excavations of the ancient mound of Indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas,
located withing the fold of the sixteenth century Purana Qila revealed evidence
of continuous habitation of the site for almost 2500 years.
According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas founded their capital Indrapratha
in the region known as Khandava-prastha. Delhi was also witness to the glories
of the Maurya Empire during 3rd century BC. The Ashokan edict engraved on
a rock in East of Kailash as well as remains found in Purana Quila excavations
belonging to the Mauryan period point to Delhi's importance during this
era.
Tourist Places in Delhi
India Gate
Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World
War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931.
Rashtrapati Bhawan
Formely the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight of Lutyen's
New Delhi and was com
pleted in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling.
Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms.
Red Fort
So called because of the red stone with which it is built, the Red Fort
is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. India's history is
also closely linked with this fort. It was frorth here ht the British
deposed the last Mughal ruler, Bhadur Shah Zafar, marking the end of the
three century long Mughal rule. It was also fromits ramparts that the
first prime. Minister of India, pandit Jawharlal Nehru, announced to the
nation that India was free form colonial rule.
Qutub Minar
The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it
was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim
rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call
the faithful to prayer. No one can, however, dispute that the tower is
not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world.
Purana Quila
The fort is said to be constructed on the historic site of Indraprastha
(900BC) by Humayun and Sher Shah. Covering a circuit of about a mile,
the walls of the fort have three gates and are surrounded by a mat fed
by the river Yamuna.
Jantar Mantar
At first sight, the Jantar Mantar appears like a gallery of modern art.
It is, however, an observatory. Sawai Jia Singh II of Jaipur (1699-1743),
a keen astronomer and a noble in the Mughal court, was dissatisfied by
the errors of brass and metal astronomical instruments.
Humayun's Tomb
The mughals brought with them a love for gardens, fountains and water.
The first mature example of Mughal architecture in India, Humayun's Tomb
was built by the emperor's grieving widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD.
Jama Masjid
Work on the Jama Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor
Shah Jahan to complement his palace at the Red Fort. More than 5,000 workers
toiled for six years to complete the largest mosque in India. Every Friday,
the emperor and his retinue would travel in state from the fort to the
mosque to attend the congressional prayers.
Safdarjung's Tomb
Representing the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture, Safdarjang's
Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden.
Rajghat
The mortal remains of mahatma Gandhi were cremated on this spot on the
west bank of the river Yamuna on the evening of January 31, 1948.
Lakshmi Narayan Mandir
Built in 1938, the temple is an ideal introduction to some of the gods
of the India pantheon. The temple contains a large number of idols and
visitors can also watch priests performing ritualistic prayers.
Excursions of Delhi
Agra
Agra was once the capital of the Mughal empire and even today it seems to
linger in the past . Not surprising , for the Mughal emperors with their
passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures
in the world . It is very easy to slip away here through the centuries into
the grandeur and intrigues of the Mughal court.
Jaipur
Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and forms the most chosen tourism golden triangle
of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre
with all the trapping of modern metropolis but yet flavoured strongly with
an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The old Jaipur
painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop
of ancient forts Nahargarh, Amer, Jagarh and Moti Dungri are dramatic testimonials
of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance.
Bharatpur
The legends say that the place was named as Bharatpur after the name of
Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama, whose other brother Laxman was worshipped
as the family deity of the Bharatpur rulers, Laxman's name is engraved onthe
state arms and the seals. The city and the fort have been believed to be
founded by Rustam, a Jat of Sogariya clan. Maharaja Surajmal took over from
Khemkaran, the son of Rustam and established the empire. He fortified the
city by building a massive wall around the city
Mathura
widely known as birth place of lord Krishna is located on the western bank
of river Yamuna at latitude 27degree 41 Minute N and 77Degree and 41 Minuete.
It is 145 Km south-east of Delhi and 58 Km north west of Agra in the State
of Uttar Pradesh. For about 3000 Year it was the hub of culture and civilization.
How to Reach Delhi
Air : All the major National and International Air Lines have their
flights operating from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Rail : The Indian Railway with their modern and organised network connects
Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India. There are three important
Railway Stations in Delhi namely New Delhi Rly. Station, Old Delhi Rly.
Station and Hazarat Nizamuddin Rly. Station.
Bus : Delhi is well connected by road to all major destinations in North
India. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) are located at Kashmiri Gate,
Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar. Delhi Transport Corporations of the neighbouring
states provide frequent bus services through Air Conditioned, Deluxe and
Ordinary Coaches.
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