Travel Guide Delhi, Delhi At a Glance,Delhi Information

Area : 1438 sq. Km.
Capital : Delhi.
Languages : Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
Museums : Delhi Museum, National Museum, National Children's Museum, Crafts Museum, Gandhi Smarak: Sangrahalaya, Gandhi Smriti Museum, Nehru Memorial Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Philatelic Museum, Rail Transport Museum, Red Fort Museum and International Dolls Museum.
Airport : Indira Gandhi International Airport and Palam Airport.Sprawling on the banks of the Yamuna river-Delhi, the Capital of India-combines in its folds the ancient with the modem. Amidst the fast spiralling skyscrapers, the remnants of a bygone time in the form of monuments stand as silent reminders to the region's ancient history.

History
History of Delhi dates back to the Mahabharata period and much earlier as this was the site of the ancient Indraprastha. The city of Delhi was founded in the11th century by a Rajput chieftain of Tomara clan. Chauhans had obtained possession of the city from the Tomars. Prithvi Raj, the Chauhan ruler of Ajmer and Delhi made the city of Delhi famous by his heroic valour and romantic adventures. Delhi under Prithvi Raj and Kanauj under Jai Chand were the principal kingdoms of North India at that time.The invasion of India by Muhammed Ghori was beaten back by Prithvi Raj in the first Battle of Taran in 1191 AD. Next year Ghori came back to avenge his defeat and in the second Battle of Taran in 1192 AD, the Rajput army was routed. Prithvi Raj was captured and put to death. Delhi thus passed into the hands of Muslim rulers for six centuries. Delhi was here after ruled by a series of Muslim dynasties, the Qutub Shahis Khiljis; Thghluqs; Sayyids and Lodis, each of whom built forts, tombs and palaces of different artistic styles. After the 1857 the mutiny by Indian troops the British deposed the titular Emperor Bahadur Shah. They formally annexed Delhi in 1912 and transferred the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi. A New capital was designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, English architect.New Delhi-a city of imposing dimensions was laid out by the side of the old city by the British Indian Govermnent. Independent India has retained this historic capital.

Places of Interest
Qutub Minar : The tallest stone tower in .India was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak as a memorial of victory and also as an accessory to the adjoining mosque to call the faithful to prayers. The Qutub was built in three stages. Qutub-ud-din raised the first storey while the rest three were added by Iltutmish, son-in-law and successor of Qutub-ud-din Aibak. The minar was damaged in 1382 A.D. and then repaired by Muhammad bin Tughlaq. All the storeys of Qutub Minar are clearly defused with ornamental bands of Quranic inscriptions. The most outstanding feature of the tower is the stalactite support to the balconies and the circular plan. with semi-circular and angular flutings. The attached Quwwatul-Islam Masjid was erected pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns.

Alai-Darwaza, Alai-Minar And Iron Pillar : Alauddin Khilji, in 1300 A.D. added a court to the east of QuwwatulIslam mosque and the magnificent Alai-dar-waza (gateway). It is profusely carved with inscriptions in the Naksh character and has other decorative details in red stand stone and white marble. North of Qutub Minar is a gigantic rubble structure known as Alai-Minar. In the centre of the great courtyard of the tapering 7.20 m. long iron pillar belonging to Gupta period (early 5th C. A.D.). It is believed that Anangpal, the Tomar king, brought it here.

Siri : Siri, the second city of Delhi, was built by Alauddin Khilji in about 1303 A.D. Presently it accommodated Asian Game Village complex. Only few remains of rampart with bastions, loopholes for arrows and flame-shaped battlements, traces of a gateways, etc. are visible.

Kotla Firoz Shah : Replete with history is the abandoned capital of Firozabad, the fifth city of Delhi, of which only broken remains pay a silent homage to a bygone era. Firoz Shah Thghlaq 1351-88 A.D. had built the city with Kotla Firoz Shah as his citadel, called Kushki-i-Firoz. The most remarkable structures located inside the complex are, Ashoka pillar, standing on the top of a pyramid structure, Jami-Masjid, some ruins of residential areas and a baoli.

Haus Khas : In 1300 A.D. Sultan Alauddin Khilji excavated a Hauz (tank or a reservoir), today known as Hauz Khas, to supply water to his new city of Siri. The large tank known as Hauz-i-Alai was later cleaned and repaired by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who built a college on the southern and western banks of the Hauz.

Tughluqabad : The third city of Delhi, Ghyyas-ud-din's Delhi (15th century A.D.), is noted for remains of some palaces and his tomb. His tomb is connected with Tughluqabad fort by a causeway, pierced by Mehrauli-Badarpur road. Inside the tomb are graves of Ghiyasuddin, his wife and son and successor Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.Purana Quila : Built on the site of the most ancient of the numerous cities of Delhi, Indraprashtha, Porana Quila is roughly rectangular in shape built on a hill, besides the Yamuna river, by Afgan ruler Sher Shah Suri (1538 to 45 A.D.). Sound and Light show is performed every evening by Delhi Tourism to capture the highlights of the legendary historic past of Delhi. The show begins with the dramatic happenings at Indraprastha and conclude with India gaining independence in 1947 A.D.Humayun's Tomb : Located near the crossing of Mathura road and Lodi road, this magnificent garden tomb is the first substantial example of Mughal architect in India. It was built in 1565 A.D., nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begum. Inside the all enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chacharbagh) with pathways, water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome. There are several graves of Mughal rulers located inside the walled enclosure and from here in 1857 A.D. Lieutenant Hudson had captured the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II. Lodhi Tomb : The old lady Whilington park, now known as Lodi Garden, is dotted with monuments of Sayyid and Lodi periods which include tombs, mosques and bridge.Shahjanabad : Shahajahan's Delhi was the seventh city of Delhi. Its foundation was laid in 1683 A.D. after the decision to shift the capital from Agra to Delhi was taken. The grandiose city walls today gives a picturesque setting to motorways that weave in and out through its massive gateways. Out of fourteen gates, just six known as Delhi gate, Kashmere gate, Ajmeri gate, Turkman gate, Lahori gate and Nigambodh gate now exist.Red Fort: Built with red sandstone by the great Emperor Shah Jahan, when he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. The foundation of the citadel was laid on the 16th April 1639 A.D. the construction took about nine years and it covers an area of 124 acres. Its fortification walls covering a perimeter of 2.41 km have height varying from 18 m, along river side 33.5 m on the other side. A wide moat (22.8 m wide and 9. 14 m deep), surrounding the fort was originally connected to Yamuna river. Originally it had six gates but now entry into the fort is through Lahori and Delhi gates. The fort houses Diwane-e-Aam, the hall of public audience and Diwan-e-Khas, the hall of private audience, the Moti Masjid or Pearl mosque, Rani Mahal and Hammam (royal baths) .Red Fort is the most prestigious place where Independent day celebration is held every year. Each evening the Sound and Light show recreates events of Indian history. Jama Masjid : Built in red sandstone, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, was built by Shahjahan. It has three gateways and two minarets, which stand 40 m high and are constructed of alternative vertical strips of red sand stone and white marble. The courtyard of the is enclosed by an arched colonnade with domed pavilions at the corners. Along the western front is the prayer hall which can accommodate 20,000 worshippers. Jantar Mantar : The unique observatory with masonry instruments was designed by astronomer king - Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1724 A.D.It is a popular place for staging dharanas (protests) and hunger strikes.Safdarjung's Tomb : Built in the 18th century by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah (1753-54 A.D.). It is the last enclosed garden tomb in Delhi. It has several small pavilions with evocative names like Jangli Mahal (Palace of Woods), Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) and Badshah Pasand (King's favourite). The complex also has a madarsa. The Archaeological Survey of India maintains a library over the main gateway.Lutyen's Delhi : New Delhi, the eighth Delhi, was constructed by the Britishers in the 20d1 century. The architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker chose a style that was classical, yet not Indian, nor English or Roman but was imperial. Lutyen's Delhi 5 kms South-West of Shahjahan's Delhi, set the pace for New Delhi's well planned residential districts.Rastrapati Bhawan : Standing on Raisina Hill, it was earlier the Viceroys's House is today the official residence of the President of India. Built in the imperial style, the mansion comprises of 340 rooms and 12 separate courtyards. This massive building is surrounded by 330 acres of land.On the west, the Rashtrapati Bhawan overlooks the raised and terraced Mughal garden which is open to Public in FebruarySecretariat: On the either side of the central vista leading up from Rajpath to Rashtrapati Bhawan, are the two blocks of the. Secretariate buildings.Parliament House : The Parliament house is a circular colonnaded building. It also houses ministerial offices, numerous committee rooms and library. Conceived in the Imperial style, the Parliament house consists of an open verandah with 144 columns.India Gate: Further east from the Secretarial Building lies the All India was memorial Arch, now known as India Gate. The 42 meter high free standing arch was designed by Luteyens and built in 1931. India Gate was raised in the memory of 90,000 Indian soldiers killed during the World War I. On the arch itself are inscribed the names of 13,516 British and Indian soldiers, who died in the north west frontier and the third Afghan war.Now a days, it has also become a memorial to the unknown soldiers and popular evening spot./How To Reach Air: Delhi is the main gateway city for northern India. All major international carriers operate direct services to New Delhi from various centres in the world. Domestic Airlines connects the city with all major centres of tourist and business interests in the country. Rail: Delhi is the hub of the Indian Railways network with express trains to all parts of the country. Delhi has three major railway stations-Old Delhi, New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin. Roads: Delhi is linked by bus services-air-conditioned, deluxe and ordinary-to all major destinations in North India. Delhi Transport Corporation and Road Transport Corporations of neighbouring States provide frequent bus services. Inter State Bus Terminus, the focus of all inter-city bus services, is located at Kashmiri Gate. Taxis, cycle rikshaws and city bus services are available at the ISBT for transfers. Important Road Distances From DelhiAgra 200 km; Ajmer 389 km; Amritsar 446 km; Bharatpur 190 km;, Bhopal 741 km; Chandigarh 249 km; Corbe