Heritage in Delhi
Cradling civilizations 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.
Dating back to 2nd millennium BC, Excavations at Mandoli and Bhorgarh in east and north-west Delhi respectively have thrown up remains of chalcolithic period. 1st millennium BC as well remains of 4th-5th century AD has been traced here.
The excavations of the ancient mound of Indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas, located within the fold of the sixteenth century Purana Qila revealed evidence of continuous habitation of the site for almost 2500 years.
The capital Indraprastha in the region known as Khandava-prastha also witness to the glories of the Maurya Empire during 3rd century BC. This is the fact according to Mahabharata. 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 pointing to Delhi"s importance during this era.
Founded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal, the city was first known as Lal Kot discovered 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).
The sixth city Dinpanah has its foundation laid by Humayun. 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.
During the reign of Akbar (1556-1605) and Jehangir (1605-27), there are some construction activities. 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.
Standing tall in dignity are the ruins and ramparts. Modern buildings and giant skyscrapers are also present here. It"s a breathtaking synthesis of yesterday and tomorrow, the holding on to the past and surging ahead to the future. It"s your own choice; give whatever name you always wanted to give it. It"s Delhi, your own Delhi.
Delhi is the city which lived through wars and resurrection, repeatedly rising from the ashes. Every crumbling wall has a story to tell. Every yesterday is replete with history. You will experience a transition through time as you walk along the narrow bylanes of this city of dreams, tread softly.
Cradling civilizations 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.
Dating back to 2nd millennium BC, Excavations at Mandoli and Bhorgarh in east and north-west Delhi respectively have thrown up remains of chalcolithic period. 1st millennium BC as well remains of 4th-5th century AD has been traced here.
The excavations of the ancient mound of Indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas, located within the fold of the sixteenth century Purana Qila revealed evidence of continuous habitation of the site for almost 2500 years.
The capital Indraprastha in the region known as Khandava-prastha also witness to the glories of the Maurya Empire during 3rd century BC. This is the fact according to Mahabharata. 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 pointing to Delhi"s importance during this era.
Founded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal, the city was first known as Lal Kot discovered 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).
The sixth city Dinpanah has its foundation laid by Humayun. 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.
During the reign of Akbar (1556-1605) and Jehangir (1605-27), there are some construction activities. 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.
Standing tall in dignity are the ruins and ramparts. Modern buildings and giant skyscrapers are also present here. It"s a breathtaking synthesis of yesterday and tomorrow, the holding on to the past and surging ahead to the future. It"s your own choice; give whatever name you always wanted to give it. It"s Delhi, your own Delhi.