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Delhi - a canvas that reflects the complexities, contradictions, beauty and
dynamism of a city where the past co-exist with the present. Many dynasties
ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments.
Diverse cultural elements absorbed into the daily life of city have enriched
its character. Exploring the city can be a fascinating and rewarding
experienceŠ
Modern Delhi, is a vast, sprawling city, of boundless energy, and the seat of
political power, Already the hub of industry and commerce, of prosperous North
India, it is poised to be the city of the future-recalling the days of
nostalgia, when Delhi ruled all over the Indian sub continent.
Distance from Palam Airport (Domestic) 16 Kms, Approx time 30 mins.)
(Distance from Indira Gandhi Airport (Intl) 25 Kms, Approx time 45 mins.)
Places of Interest
Old Delhi: The walled city called Shahjahanabad was established by Mughal
Emperor Shahjehan in 1648. While Louis XIV in France was building his
escapecity o Versailles, Shahjahan's city was being built and peopled. Traders
built katras and kuchas (enclosed markets and lanes), the aristocrats their
havelis and karkhanas (mansions and workshops), philanthropists serais,
shifakhanas and madarsas (inn, hospitals and schools) and the pious built
masjids (mosques).
It has to be experienced as a city as well as seen in terms of its
architecture. Shahjahanabad today is a thriving commercial and trading centre
and more people work here than ever before.
Red Fort, built of red sandstone; it houses the famous Diwan- I- khas, the
beautiful audience chamber where the Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan held court,
seated on the Peacock Throne. There is a Sound-and-Light show every evening at
the Fort.
Jama Masjid : Opposite the fort is the largest mosque in India - the Jama
Masjid and as you decend its steps, you walk into the teeming.
Chandani Chowk, the Moonlight Square :is the famous market place. The
historical accounts of this market are legion, of times when merchants came
from Turkey, China, Holland and other distant lands, with weapons, exotic
birds, pearls and tapestry. There was nothing that was not available here. Now
the Katras or wholesale markets are sandwiched between the shops, offices,
churches, mosques, temples and gurudwaras. The market has spread and is famous
for Silks, cotton, voiles, muslin, brocades, braids and much, much more.
New Delhi : Two architects, Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, were assigned the
task of designing and building the new capital of British India, styled as New
Delhi, which was formally inaugurated for occupation in January 1931.
Some of the landmarks of the Lytens-Baker Delhi are Rashtrapati Bhavan
(President House), official residence of India's President (the former
Viceregal Lodge) built in a commanding position on Raisina Hill with adjoining
administrative North and South Blocks and the Parliament House on one side,
beside the Memorial Arch of the First World War called India Gate, and
circular marketing center with double storied blocks around a park known as
Connaught Circus.
The Delhi is not just a city, it is an intricate weave of history, culture and
dreams. History lives in Delhi and two of the monuments, Humayun's Tomb and
Qutab Minar, have already been declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Mausoleum of Humayun. Humayun's Tomb, was built in the middle 16th century by
wife of Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor. This is an early example of Mughal
architecture built in Delhi. A rose petal sandstone mausoleum built in proper
Mughal style is a beautiful memorial to the poet king.
Spearing its way proudly into the sky, Qutab Minar with a height of 72.5
meters or 238 feet with five stores, is a landmark of Delhi. The most
outstanding feature of the tower is the stalactite support to the balconies
and a circular plan with its alternating semi-circular and angular flutings.
The entire Qutab complex is full of important monuments from 12th and 13th
century. The important of them are Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque, Iron Pillar,
Iltutamish Tomb, Alai Darwaza and Alai Minar.
 On the southeastern edge of Delhi lie the eerie remains of the sprawling
Tughlaqabad Fort, once an impregnable city built in 1321. Another important
Fort is Purana Quila or Old Fort, the foundations of which were laid in year
1538 by Emperor Humayun. The location of Purana Qila is not new to history, as
the earliest reference to this site is made in the Hindu epic - Mahabbharata,
which states that the Pandavas founded a city called Indraprastha beside the
river Yamuna. The recent excavations here have yielded Painted Grey Ware
pottery, which is dated to c. 1000 B.C.
The other important monuments are Lodhi Garden and Tombs built between 15th
and early 16th century, Safdarjang's Tomb built between 1753-54 AD, Jantar
Mantar (Observatory) constructed in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, Hauz
Khas (royal tank) and Madarsa (university) from the 14th century, and Lotus
Temple (Baha'i House of Worship).
Apart from the monuments, Delhi is famous for its Museums and Art Galleries.
The most important Museums are National Museum with a collection of Indian art
and sculpture which dates from the prehistoric era through the late medieval
period, Crafts Museum with an impressive collection of folk and tibal arts,
crafts and textiles; National Rail Museum, Shankar's International Dolls
Museum, Gandhi National Museum, Gandhi Smriti at Birla House where Mahatma
Gandhi was assassinated, Nehru Memorial Museum.
The city has more than 25 active galleries and important of them are National
Gallery of Modern Art with a collection of about 15,000 paintings, sculptures
and graphics that are exhibited from time to time. The gallery has
retrospective shows of Indian and foreign artists; Lalit Kala Akademi - a
large spacious gallery, spread over three floors and artists from all over
India show their work here; Triveni Kala Sangam; Art Heritage, Art Today,
Dhoomimal Art Gallery, Eicher Galery, Gallerie Ganesha etc.
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