Heritage in Delhi

Delhi is the city which lived through wars andDelhi is the city which lived through wars and
resurrection, repeatedly rising from the ashes.resurrection, repeatedly rising from the ashes.
Every crumbling wall has a story to tell. EveryEvery crumbling wall has a story to tell. Every
yesterday is replete with history. You willyesterday is replete with history. You will
experience a transition through time as you walkexperience a transition through time as you walk
along the narrow bylanes of this city of dreams,along the narrow bylanes of this city of dreams,
tread softly.tread softly.
Cradling civilizations since times immemorial DelhiCradling civilizations since times immemorial Delhi
goes back hundreds of thousands of years backgoes back hundreds of thousands of years back
into time.into time.
Stone tools belonging to early Stone Age wereStone tools belonging to early Stone Age were
discovered from the Aravalli tracts in and arounddiscovered from the Aravalli tracts in and around
Anangpur, the Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityAnangpur, the Jawaharlal Nehru University
Campus, the northern ridge and elsewhere -Campus, the northern ridge and elsewhere -
evidence that the Early Man lived here.evidence that the Early Man lived here.
Dating back to 2nd millennium BC, Excavations atDating back to 2nd millennium BC, Excavations at
Mandoli and Bhorgarh in east and north-west DelhiMandoli and Bhorgarh in east and north-west Delhi
respectively have thrown up remains ofrespectively have thrown up remains of
chalcolithic period. 1st millennium BC as wellchalcolithic period. 1st millennium BC as well
remains of 4th-5th century AD has been tracedremains of 4th-5th century AD has been traced
here.here.
The excavations of the ancient mound ofThe excavations of the ancient mound of
Indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas, locatedIndraprastha, capital of the Pandavas, located
within the fold of the sixteenth century Puranawithin the fold of the sixteenth century Purana
Qila revealed evidence of continuous habitation ofQila revealed evidence of continuous habitation of
the site for almost 2500 years.the site for almost 2500 years.
The capital Indraprastha in the region known asThe capital Indraprastha in the region known as
Khandava-prastha also witness to the glories ofKhandava-prastha also witness to the glories of
the Maurya Empire during 3rd century BC. This isthe Maurya Empire during 3rd century BC. This is
the fact according to Mahabharata. The Ashokanthe fact according to Mahabharata. The Ashokan
edict engraved on a rock in East of Kailash as welledict engraved on a rock in East of Kailash as well
as remains found in Purana Quila excavationsas remains found in Purana Quila excavations
belonging to the Mauryan period pointing to Delhi'sbelonging to the Mauryan period pointing to Delhi's
importance during this era.importance during this era.
Founded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal, the cityFounded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal, the city
was first known as Lal Kot discovered in the 11thwas first known as Lal Kot discovered in the 11th
century. It was extended to Qila Rai Pithora bycentury. It was extended to Qila Rai Pithora by
King Vigraharaja IV (Circa 1153-64). QutbuddinKing Vigraharaja IV (Circa 1153-64). Qutbuddin
Aibak became Delhi's first Sultan in 1206 and laidAibak became Delhi's first Sultan in 1206 and laid
the foundations of the Qutb Minar, India's tallestthe foundations of the Qutb Minar, India's tallest
stone tower at the site of the first city of Delhistone tower at the site of the first city of Delhi
subsequently the kings of the Sultanate dynasties,subsequently the kings of the Sultanate dynasties,
Khaljis, Tughluqs Sayyids and Lodis continued toKhaljis, Tughluqs Sayyids and Lodis continued to
build. New cities as Delhi grew.build. New cities as Delhi grew.
The second city around Siri by Alaud-Din KhaljiThe second city around Siri by Alaud-Din Khalji
(1296-1316); Tughlaqabad, the third city built by(1296-1316); Tughlaqabad, the third city built by
Ghiysud-Din Tughlug (1321-51); Firuzabad, the fifthGhiysud-Din Tughlug (1321-51); Firuzabad, the fifth
city of Delhi, is now represented by Kotla Firuzcity of Delhi, is now represented by Kotla Firuz
Shah, founded by Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-88).Shah, founded by Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-88).
The sixth city Dinpanah has its foundation laid byThe sixth city Dinpanah has its foundation laid by
Humayun. This was destroyed and reconstructedHumayun. This was destroyed and reconstructed
as the Purana Qila by Sher Shah Suri however; itas the Purana Qila by Sher Shah Suri however; it
was the Mughals who took Delhi to the zenith ofwas the Mughals who took Delhi to the zenith of
architectural glory.architectural glory.
During the reign of Akbar (1556-1605) andDuring the reign of Akbar (1556-1605) and
Jehangir (1605-27), there are some constructionJehangir (1605-27), there are some construction
activities. It was Shah Jehan (1628-58) who builtactivities. It was Shah Jehan (1628-58) who built
the seventh city, Shahjahanabad which remainedthe seventh city, Shahjahanabad which remained
the Mughal capital until 1857.the Mughal capital until 1857.
The British in 1911 shifted the capital of India toThe British in 1911 shifted the capital of India to
Delhi. The eighth city of New Delhi took shape inDelhi. The eighth city of New Delhi took shape in
the imperial style of architecture. From then tothe imperial style of architecture. From then to
now Delhi continues to throb with vitality andnow Delhi continues to throb with vitality and
hope.hope.
Standing tall in dignity are the ruins and ramparts.Standing tall in dignity are the ruins and ramparts.
Modern buildings and giant skyscrapers are alsoModern buildings and giant skyscrapers are also
present here. It's a breathtaking synthesis ofpresent here. It's a breathtaking synthesis of
yesterday and tomorrow, the holding on to theyesterday and tomorrow, the holding on to the
past and surging ahead to the future. It's yourpast and surging ahead to the future. It's your
own choice; give whatever name you alwaysown choice; give whatever name you always
wanted to give it. It's Delhi, your own Delhi.wanted to give it. It's Delhi, your own Delhi.