Delhi: A Glimpse Into The Past

Delhi, the capital of world's largest democracy, India, is a perfect synthesis of a rich past and a vibrant present, a city resplendent with exotic monuments with some of the finest specimens of modern architecture. It is no mean task to describe a city which owes its existence to builders and designers who spanned 5000 years, from the celestial architect Vishwakarma to Edwin Lutyens, who designed the area of New Delhi that is the political seat of power now. 

Delhi was born as early as 1000 BC when a settlement sprung up near the Purana Quila on the banks of the river Yamuna. Hindu mythology, however, records a settlement many hundreds of years earlier at the ancient site of Indraprastha. Lal Kot, first of the cities to come into being, arose out of the dust of this north Indian plain in 736 AD. Six more followed each on the heels of the other. Siri, the second city (14th century AD); Tughlakabad, the third city (14th century AD); Jahanpanah, the fourth city (14th century AD); Ferozeshah Kotla (14th century AD), the fifth city; the Lodi Tombs provide evidence of the sixth city (16th century AD); and Shahjahanabad (17th century AD), the most prominent of the city's earlier seven avatars. 

Delhi today consists of the 'Old Delhi' and the 'New Delhi'. Old Delhi or 'Shahjahanabad' (17-19th century) as it was earlier known clearly bears the marks of the rich mughal culture with its mosques and monuments, as well as lively, populous colorful bazaars, narrow streets alive with mouth watering fares, all very chaotic yet nostalgic. Thousands of years of history get compressed into a living experience as one traverses through these narrow lanes, monuments, forts and mausoleums. 

New Delhi is the name given to the imperial capital created by the British. Great International events held in the city in the past two decades like the Asiad, CHOGM, NAMEDIA, XIX Commonwealth Games 2010,  and various cultural festivals have given rise to excellent infrastructure like flyovers, gigantic stadia, wide roads, a wide spectrum of hotels and restaurants, concert halls and other facilities.


New Delhi has undergone vast expansion and now encompasses residential and commercial development to the west and south, plus the satellite towns of Noida, Gurgaon, and Faridabad. The city has more than twenty five active galleries. Conducted tours, seminars, film shows and study classes on art appreciation, history and conservation are frequently organized. Most of the performing art centers are around Mandi House, Bhagwan Das Road in the New Delhi area. There is an amazing range of activity from cultural walks, talks, theatre productions and exhibitions to films by Indian and foreign directors: one can find an option  at India Habitat Centre (Lodhi Road), Max Mueller Bhavan (Kasturba Gandhi Marg), French Cultural Centre (Aurangzeb Road), Siri Fort Auditorium (Khel Gaon Marg), Lalit Kala Akademi (Mandi House) and other places.

Qutub Minar, New Delhi

Qutab Minar, a 73-meter tall tower in Delhi, India, was by Qutab-ud-din Aibak. 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.

Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1193 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey.

The tower (Qutab Minar) has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlak is quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even the materials used for construction differ. The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets.At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled. (The write-up up to this has been sourced from Delhi Tourism website).

There was a time when visitors were allowed to climb up to the top and down the years, it was restricted to the first storey of the twelfth century monument. I have myself gone up to the first storey. But that was a long, long time ago! That was way back in 1966! After a few people jumped to their death, it was restricted to the first storey. And, after a stampede some twenty years ago on the narrow starirs that led up to the first storey, climbing up was totally banned. However, they have kept a camera on top of the tower and one can view the snapshots from the camera on a monitor screen at the entrance of the tower on the ground. The intricate stonework and the inscriptions are a treat to watch. A must visit place in Delhi.