Delhi – The Eternal city
Delhi is the symbol of old & new. Even the stones here whisper to our ears of the ages of long ago and the air we breathe is full of the dust and fragrance of the past, as also of the fresh and piercing winds of the present. The tradition of the millenia of our history surrounds us at every step and the procession of innumerable generations passes by before our eyes.
– Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
History
Once upon a time, the Aravalli hills, carpeted with the growth of keekar tapered of in the wide channels of Yamuna. Then came the settlers. The Mahabharata mentions how the entire Khandava forests were burnt by Arjuna with the help of Krishna to lay down the foundation of the sprawling city of Indraprastha. After more than a millenium the Tomar Rajputs built Qila Rai Pithora in Delhi’s southern ridge. It was successfully taken by the Mohhammed of Ghur in the last decade of the 12th century.
What’s in the name
The Pandavas named the city Indraprastha. With every change in the dynasty, the city changed. The Lalkot of Mamluks gave way to the Siri of Khiljis, which in turn paved the way for Tughlaqabad and Jahapanah of the Tughlaqs. With the rule of Mughals, the city was named Dinpanah and Shahajahanabad.
Delhi
Delhi was the site of royal power but after the fall of Baghdad in 1358, it became the capital of Islam in India. Along with Ajmer it was a major centre of Sufi mysticism. Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, Nizamuddin Auliya & Roshan Chirag Dehlavi became famous far beyond the walls of Delhi & their final resting place continue to afford solace.
Lutyen’s Delhi
Following the examples set in Ottawa, Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to build a ‘New’ Delhi, the seat of British empire in the subcontinent. Lutyens, viewing the ground from elephant-back, noticed that Dinpanah, the site of ancient Indraprastha lay directly east from the Raisina Hill and hence the spot was chosen for Rashtrapati Bhavan or the place of Governer General.
The 7 Cities of Delhi
Delhi is one of the greatest cities of antiquity. It was first called Indrapat…..
Humayun restored the citadel of Indrapath and called it Dinpanah
– Abul Fazal, minister in the court of Akbar
Over the last 1000 years, as many as seven cities were created in Delhi by different rulers. The credit of finding the first city of Delhi goes to Prithviraj Chauhan. Qutubuddin Aibak marked the beginning of his new city with the mammoth Qutb Minar.
16th century tomb of Quli Khan was converted to residence in the 19th century by Sir Thomas Metcalfe who gave it’s name Dilkhusha meaning ‘heart attracting’. With a rise in population, Mehrauli started facing acute shortage of water. To overcome this, Alauddin Khilji laid the foundation of the city of Siri, 5 miles northeast of Mehrauli. In the centre of his new city, Alauddin excavated a huge tank named Haus Khas.
Unknown Monuments
Shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya
The dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin , one of the most celebrated and loved Sufi saints in Delhi is just 8 kms south of the present-day Parliament House. Here also lies the shrine of Jahanara, daughter of Shah Jahan, Amir Khusro, a famous Urdu poet, Atgah Khan, a favourite of Humayun & Emperor Akbar.
Tomb of Razia Sultan
Delhi’s first woman Muslim ruler rests in the heart of Chandani Chowk at Bulbul-i-Khana. Her tomb lies among the narrow lanes of Old Delhi ( Shahajahanabad) near the Turkman Gate entrance.
Tughlaqabad Fort
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq ws a trusted general of Khilji. Once while travelling, he pointed on a hill to the southwest of Delhi and said, “O Master, it would be a fitting if a city is build here.” The Sultan replied, “When you become the king, build it.”
As was the turn of fate, Ghiyasuddin came to rule over Delhi & indeed built a city called Tughlaqabad. It is said that he was cursed by Nizamuddin Auliya with whom he quarelled. The saint said, “Yo rahe ujjar, ya rahe gujjar” (this fort will either remain barren or will be overrun by herdsmen) ; a prophecy which has eerily come true.
Adilabad Fort
The fort built on the southern hills to the south of Tughlaqabad fort has massive ramparts on it’s bounbdary around the city of Jahanpanah. It is much smaller than the Tughlaqabad fort, but of similar design.
Isa Khan Tomb
Isa Khan Niazi was an Afghan noble in the court of Sher Shah Suri. His tomb is built near the Humayun’s Tomb complex in Delhi. Restoration work on his tomb led to the discovery of India’s 1st and oldest sunken garden. The technique used to build the tomb can also be seen in the Humayun’s tomb, Akbar’s tomb & even at the Taj.
- Isa Khan’s Tomb
Sher Mandal at Purana Qila
- Sher Mandal, Purana Qila
The Sher Mandal was erected by Sher Shah Suri. Soon after Humayun recaptured Delhi, he converted a pleasure resort into his private library. One day, as the emperor heard the muezzin call for prayer, he seated himself on the top of the stairs. After the prayer as he attempted to rise, his foot got entangled in his own robe & he fell to his death down the torturous staircase. The date was 24 Jan 1556. The Sher Mandal is one of the 1st observatories of Delhi.
Delhi- A Timeline
1400 BC- Indraprastha
100 BC- Raja Dhilo established Delhi
900AD- Tomars’ rule
1151AD-Chauhans captures Delhi
11991AD- Mohhammed Ghori captures
1200AD- 1ST Storey of Qutb Minar built. 1305AD- Siri built
1323AD-Tughlaqabad built
1354AD- Firoz Shah Kotla built
1538AD- Dinpanah built
1565AD- Humayun’s Tomb built
1648AD- Capital shifted to Shahajahanabad
1724AD- Jantar Mantar build.
1803AD- British capture Delhi
1857AD- Uprising & seige of Delhi
1911AD- Capital of British India shifted to Delhi.
1931AD- New Delhi inaugrated.
1947AD- India gains independence
1950AD- Delhi made capital of India
1962AD- Master plan for Delhi drawn up
1982AD- Delhi hosts Asian Games
1985AD- NCR demacrated.
1992AD- Delhi becomes a state
2010AD- Delhi hosts XIX Commonwealth Games.
Delhi- Foodies’ Paradise
Karim’s
Karim’s is a historic restaurant located near Jama Masjid Gali Kababian, Old Delhi. Established in 1913, the restaurant has been described as “synonymous with this area”.(Old Delhi) and “arguably the city’s most famous culinary destination”.
Religious Delhi
Jhandewalan Temple
Jhandewalan temple, is Hindu temple near Karol Bagh, Delhi, dedicated to the goddess Aadi Shakti It is a popular attraction for the faithful.
- Hanuman Temple
Gurudwara Shree Sisganj Sahib
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib is built at the site in the Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi, where the revered ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded, on Wednesday, November 24, 1675, on the orders of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam.
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