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Delhi, where a empire rose and
fell before the dawn of history; where citadels
of emperors appeared and disappeared; a city of
mysterious eternity whose old ruins proclaim a majestic
and imperial past and whose present pulsates vibrantly
with the ever flowing life of India. The eternal
Jamuna bears witness to the glorious and tumultuous
5,000 year old history of Delhi. A history which
begins with the creation of Indraprastha by the
Pandavas and the transformation of this barren gift
of the Kauravas into an idyllic haven.
A history which encompasses all
the various kings and emperors who fixed their royal
citadels here- Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai
Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad,
Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad.
but, combined and integrated into one, these 'new
cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever
many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always
been intrinsically identified with power and imperial
sway.
There have been at least eight
cities around modern Delhi, and the old saying that
whoever founds a new city at Delhi will lose it
has come true every time - most recently for the
British who founded New Delhi in 1911.
The historic Purana Qila, which
has stood witness to Delhi's rejuvenation, periods
of anarchy, and the rise & fall of empires,
brings alive history of the capital. Amidst the
tranquility of the splendidly panoramic environs
of Purana Qila, Delhi's historic and legendary past
come to life. After Shah Jahan built Red Fort the
attention of administration shifted to gorgeous
palaces of the fort.
Today the fort is open for the
public but only limited area can be accessed. More
than half of the fort area has been taken over by
the Army. But even what is open to visit reminds
one of the splendour and lavish life style which
our rulers lived. Delhi has seen the death of many
empires and resisted bloody attempts to eliminate
her. Nadir Shah had ordered his soldiers to plunder
and massacre Delhi. It is said that he got so much
wealth from Delhi that he was not able to carry
in home. Abdali and Taimur Lane were no different
they had tried their best to demolish the city of
Delhi but it was some kind of a boon which helped
it to regain its lost glory each time Delhi was
plundered.
Delhi was the focal point for the
first war of independence in 1857. Though the revolt
did not reach its desired conclusion, Delhi became
a thorn in the eyes of the British. Not only in
ancient times or the mediaeval period, Delhi has
been the center of any activity at all times. As
the Britishers shifted their capital from Calcutta
to Delhi, all the activities during the freedom
struggle were directed towards Delhi.
Thus, Delhi also bears the marks
of the freedom struggle. The ultimate goal of the
Azad Hind Fauz during the freedom struggle was to
capture Delhi and established Swaraj. The slogan
'Dilli Chalo' is still used by leaders and political
parties when they oraganise any rally or demonstration.
It was the hosting of the tricolour at Red Fort
in Delhi which marked a chapter in the history of
India.
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The
most magnificent Fort and Palace of the Mughal
Empire. the Red Fore (Lal Quila) was built by
Shah Jahan when he transferred his capital from
Agra to Delhi. The fort was completed in 1648
after the construction of 9 years. A wall of about
2.4 km circumference built of red sandstone surrounds
it. Lahore Gate the main gate of the Red Fort
takes name from the fact that it faces towards
Lahore, Now in Pakistan. Now a day Lahore Gate
faces Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful
market of the old city called Old Delhi. 
The
senior wife of Humayun, Haji Begum in the mid
16th century, built the Humayun’s Tomb a
Wonderful example of early Mughal Architecture;
this red sand stone structure is considered to
be the predecessor of Taj Mahal.
One
of the fine examples of early Afgan architecture
is the Qutab Minar. The 73m high tower (tallest
minaret in India) of victory that was started
in 1193 and completed in 1239, immediately after
the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi.
Hotels in Delhi
