Delhi is A Evolution through
Time - As the travelers walk along the narrow bylanes of
this city of dreams, stride softly. Here every crumbling
wall has a story to tell. Every yesterday is stuffed with
many histories. Many rulers have come and gone. The city
has lived through wars and renaissance, repeatedly rising
from the ashes.
Cradling civilizations since times immemorial Delhi goes
back hundreds of thousands of years back into time.
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.
In accordance with the Mahabharata, the Pandavas founded
their capital Indraprastha in the region known as
Khandava-prastha. Delhi is 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.
Many other namely, Taj Mahal, Laal Quilla, Qutub Minar,
Humayun Tomb, Jama Masjid, City Palace, Jantar Mantar,
Lotus Temple, Purana Quilla and Indian Gate are also the
wonders to attract the visitors to Delhi.
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In the 11th
century, Lal Kot, the first city of Delhi was
founded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal and ruled up
by him. It was unmitigated to Qila Rai Pithora by
King Vigraharaja IV (Circa 1153-64).
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| In 1206,
Qutbuddin Aibak became Delhi's first Sultan and laid
the foundations of the Qutub Minar, which is the
India's tallest stone tower at the site of the first
city of Delhi. |
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Consequently the kings of
the Sultanate dynasties, Khaljis, Tughluqs Sayyids and Lodis
continued to build new cities as the glory of Delhi grew.
The
second city around Siri, was built up by Alauddin Khalji
around the year of 1296-1316. The third city, Tughlaqabad
was built by Ghiysuddin Tughlug around the year of
1321-1351.The fifth city of Delhi namely, Firuzabad which
is now represented by Kotla Firuz Shah, founded by Firuz
Shah Tughluq around the year of 1351-1388.
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| Taj Mahal |
Humayun Tomb |
Purana Quilla |
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| Sikandra |
Jantar Mantar |
Jama Masjid |
Humayun laid the foundations of the sixth city namely,
Dinpanah. This was destroyed and reconstructed as the
Purana Qila by Sher Shah Suri. However, it was the Mughals
who took Delhi to the pinnacle of architectural glory.
While some constructional activities did continue during
the reign of Akbar in the year of 1556-1605 and Jehangir
in the year of 1605-1627, it was Shah Jahan in the year of
1628-1658 who built the seventh city, Shahjahanabad which
remained the Mughal capital until 1857.
In 1911, the British shifted the capital of India to
Delhi. The eighth city of New Delhi took shape in the
imperial style of architecture. From then onwards Delhi
continues to throb with vitality and hop.
The ruins and fortifications still stand tall in dignity -
and in the middle of them raises 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 future.
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