Located on the sprawling banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi, the
capital of India, represents an intriguing blend of a myriad of
ancient and the modern civilizations, reflected not only in its
diverse cultural heritage and historical monuments but also in
the present social structure and lifestyles. The city chronicles
the history of the various civilizations and dynasties that
flourished here for over 3000 years. Their legacy survives in
the many ancient monuments left behind by their rulers, each a
chronicle of the glory of its times and a reflection of the
prevailing cultures. The remains of seven distinctive capital
cities can be seen here.
Here is a pick of the top five tourist attractions in Delhi:
Qutub Minar
A mammoth minaret (238 feet tall) built from the remains of 27
Hindu and Jain temples during the years 1193–1369, commemorating
the victory of Qutab-ud-din over the city's last Hindu kingdom,
Qutub Minar is one of Delhi’s oldest monuments. Decorated with
calligraphy representing verses from the Koran, it tapers from a
50-feet diameter at the base to just 8 feet at the top. The
first three floors are built with red sandstone, and the upper
two with white marble.
In the same complex stands a mysterious Iron Pillar, bearing
fourth-century Sanskrit inscriptions from the period of King
Chandragupta II, that has intrigued scientists to no end
because it has withstood centuries of climatic upheavals and
remained rust-free till today. A popular legend says that if you
can encircle it with your arms while standing with your back
touching it, any wish will be fulfilled.
Red Fort
Popularly known as Lal Quila and built by Shah Jahan during the
years1618–1647, Red Fort, with its massive sandstone walls and
exquisite architecture, is the ultimate reminder of the sheer
wealth, splendor and power of the Mughal Empire. There are many
must-see places within the fort, resplendent with intricate
decoration, with separate rooms and balconies for the womenfolk,
swimming pools, and natural air conditioning. It also houses an
Archaeological Museum.
Jantar Mantar
Built in 1724 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, this esoteric,
awe-inspiring salmon-colored stone-and-brick structure is an
observatory used by the king for measuring time and calculating
the positions of the stars and planets, and for prediction of
eclipses. It houses multiple buildings with unique architectural
combinations of geometrical forms, each meant for a specialized
purpose of astronomical measurement.
Purana Qila (Old Fort)
Believed to have been built on the ruins of the ancient
original city of Delhi (Indraprastha, founded in 3rd or 4th
century B.C.), by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah during the years
1538–1545, the Old Fort with its massive walls and three
imposing gateways gives a fair idea of its lost grandeur. It
houses a small octagonal red sandstone tower, used by King
Humayun as a library, the Qila-i-Kuhran Mosque, and a small
archaeological museum.
India Gate
Built in sandstone, India Gate is a war memorial to commemorate
the sacrifice of Indian soldiers during World War I. The sheer
grandeur of the architecture of the neighboring Parliament House
and Rashtrapati Bhawan must not be missed, either.
