Delhi Tourism
About Delhi
One
of the most fascinating aspects of Delhi is the "visibility" of its
historic past. Were it not for the demands of urbanization, large portions of
the city could well be earmarked as archaeological parks. This is because the
rulers of successive dynasties between the 13th and the 17th centuries established
seven cities in different parts of Delhi. A chronological review of these cities
fortunately also serves as a suitable itinerary for tourists and highlights
the important monuments amongst the 1300 officially listed.
Delhi's history goes much further back in time than the 13th century. In 1955,
excavations at the Purana Qila revealed that the site was inhabited 3000 years
ago. Ware pottery known as Painted Gray Ware and dated to 1000 BC confirmed
this as being yet another site associated with the epic Mahabharata. The excavations
also cut through houses and streets of the Sultanate, Rajput, post-Gupta, Gupta,
Saka-Kushan and Sunga periods, reaching down to the Mauryan era (300 BC), thus
revealing almost continuous habitaion. The association of Emperor Ashoka (273-36
BC) with Delhi has come to light with the discovery of a Minor Rock Edict in
the locality known as Srinivaspuri.
A clearer picture of the city emerges from the end of the 10th century, when
the Tomar Rajputs established themselves in the in the Aravalli hills south
of Delhi. The isolated, rocky outcrop facilitated the defence of the royal resort
which the Rajputs called Dhilli or Dhillika. The core of the first of the seven
cities was created by Anangpal Tomar who is said to have built Lal Kot, which
is the first known regular defence work in Delhi. The Chauhan Rajputs later
captured Delhi from the Tomars . Prithviraj III, also known as Rai Pithora,
extended Lal Kot, adding massive ramparts and gates, and made Qila Rai Pithora
the first city of Delhi.
Today, only the ramparts are visible near the Qutub Minar , though the city
is known to have had several Hindu and Jain temples. Prithviraj was ruling Delhi
when Muhammad of Ghur invaded India, and died fighting the invader at the Second
Battle of Tarain in 1192. Ghur returned, but left as his viceroy, his slave
Qutbuddin Aibak.
In 1206, Qutbuddin crowned himself as the Sultan of the Slave or Mamluk dynasty,
and became the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. Qutbuddin, had however, commenced
his architectural career even before he chose to become the sultan. The mosque
was essential to the Islamic emphasis on congregational prayer, while the burial
of the dead, as opposed to cremation, introduced the tomb to India.
The earliest of these Islamic structures are to be seen in the Qutub complex
and the incorporation of many Hindu elements is due to the ready availability
of building material and the use of local craftsmen. Qutbuddin raised the Quwwat-ul-Islam
(might of Islam) mosque, which is the earliest extant mosque in India. Within
its spacious courtyard he retained the 4th century Iron Pillar, probably the
standard of an ancient Vishnu temple. The pillar has puzzled scientists, as
its iron has not rusted in all these centuries.
In 1199, Qutbuddin raised the Qutub Minar either as a victory tower or as a
minaret to the adjacent mosque. From a base of 14.32 mtrs it tapers to 2.75
mtrs at a height of 72.5 mtrs. It is still the highest stone tower in India,
one of the finest tower Islamic structures ever raised and Delhi's recognized
landmark. It was completed by the Sultan's successor and son-in-low, Iltutmish.
The tomb of Iltutmish, which he himself built in 1235, is nearby. Its interiors
are profusely decorated with calligraphy, thought the dome has collapsed.
The Khalji rulers displaced the Slave dynasty in 1290, and when Alauddin Khali
ordered renovations of the mosque in 1311, he also raised the impressive Alai
Darwaza, the southern entrance to the mosque. It is the first example of a building
employing wholly Islamic principles of construction, including the true arch.
In 1303, Alauddin, established the second city of Delhi, called Siri, of which
nothing remains but the embattlements. He also had dug a vast reservoir, Hauz
Khas, to sypply water to his city.
Contemporary historians describe the Delhi of that time as being the "envy
of Baghdad, the rival of Cairo and the equal of Constantinople". (for the
sake of convenience, tourists visiting the Qutb complex could also see the Tomb
of AdhamKhan and Zafar Mahal in Mehrauli, and the Tomb of Jamai-Kamali behind
the Qutb Minar. These, however, belong to a later date.) The Khalhjis were replaced
by the Tughlaq dynasty in 1321. of its eleven rulers, only the first three were
interested in architecture and each of them established a new city.
Places to See in Delhi
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.
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.
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.
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 completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling. Located in
an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms.
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.
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