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INDIA > PLACES TO VISIT
DELHI
Delhi is the capital city of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It is
situated in the northern India, on the Yamuna River - the tributary of the Ganges
River-also called the Jumma River that bordered by New Delhi - the India national
capital -- on the south. This city is enclosed by a high stone wall built in
1638 and is approached through seven arched gateways, among others the Delhi
Gate in the south, the Ajmer Gate in the east, and the Kashmir Gate in the north.
The maze congested narrow streets, pathways, hectic bazaars, many impressive
Indo-Muslim architectural features are among the attractions within the walls.
Along the Chandni Chowk (Silver Street), once considered the most lavish street
in the world, is a major commercial area of the city. Delhi is a foremost transportation,
commercial, and industrial center. Major manufactures include electronic and
electrical equipment, textiles, jewelry, chemicals, precision instruments, and
motor-vehicle parts. The University of Delhi established in 1922 is in the city.
Points of Interest
Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) is the foremost landmark of Delhi. This imposing
mosque features the tapering ujminarets and bulbous domes dominate the city's
skyline. Nearby this fabulous structure, stands the amazing Red Fort. This a
complex of buildings completed in 1648, which surrounded by a high, red sandstone
wall that occasionally functioned as the majestic palace of India's Mughal emperors.
Diwan-i-am and Diwan-i-khas are the most popular buildings within the Red Fort.
Diwan-i-am is the hall of public audience where the grand Mughal presided from
a royal alcove with jewel-encrusted marble walls, while Diwan-i-khas is the
hall of private audience which features smaller space.
A couplet in Persian inscribes the decorated white marble walls - which considered
a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. The couplet translated as: If there is
a heaven on earth, it is this-it is this". Other attractive things within
the Red Fort are the Rang Mahal (Painted Palace) and the Moti Masjid (Pearl
Mosque), while Qutb (Kutb) Minar -- a tall decorated tower (13th century), the
royal tomb (16th century) of Humayun; and Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was
cremated are among the noteworthy historical landmarks just outside Delhi
History
The name Delhi, earliest documented in the 1st century BC, was related to a
series of cities constructed on this site before the present city was established
in 1638 by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. Prithviraja, a Cahaman ruler was firstly
constructed the city in the 12th century AD. The Muslims captured it in 1193
and became capital of a Muslim empire in India under Qutubuddin Aybak, founder
of the Qutb Minar tower. Muslim hegemony ended with the confine and damage of
Delhi in the late 14th century by the Turkic conqueror Tamerlane.
Delhi was restored to gain its capital status in 1526 by Babur, the founder
of the Mughal dynasty. Humayun, Babur's son built a new city in this site. But,
in 1540 it was detained and smashed by the Afghan invader Sher Shah, and it
was replaced by another new city. Later, Delhi was recaptured by Akbar, the
son of Humayun, but moved his capital to Agra and let Delhi fall into ruins.
Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan in the 1600s rebuilt it in its present form and
restored as the Mughal capital until 1739, when Delhi conquered and plundered
of its treasures, including the famous Peacock Throne, by the Persian ruler
Nadir Shah. The Marathas gained control in 1771 and held the authority until
British forces detained the city about thirty-two years later. Delhi was the
momentary capital of British India from 1912 to 1931, when New Delhi was officially
instated as the capital. Delhi has grown swiftly, in both industry and population,
since India gained independence from Great Britain in 1947. Up till now, Delhi
ranks as the third largest city in India, after Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta).
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