Delhi History and Tourism

Delhi has a strong historical background, owing to the fact that it was ruled over by some of the most powerful emperors in Indian history. The history of the city dates back to the time of Mahabharata, when it was known as Indraprastha, the city of Pandavas. According to the great epic, the place was originally a barren piece of land and was converted into a wonderful city by the efforts of the Pandavas. As other kings occupied the neighboring region, some other cities came up like Lal Kot, Siri, Dinpanah, Quila Rai Pithora, Ferozabad, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad and Shahjahanabad.Later, these cities merged into one hustling and bustling metropolitan city, which finally emerged as the political capital of free India. Delhi has been a witness to the political turmoil for over five centuries. It was ruled by the Mughals in succession to Khiljis and Tughlaqs. In the year 1803 AD, the city came under the British rule. In 1911, British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi. It again became the center of all the governing activities. But, the city has the reputation of throwing the one who sits on its throne. It included the British and the current political parties that have had the honor of leading free India.

After independence in 1947, New Delhi was officially declared as the seat of the Government of India. During the Partition, of India thousands of Hindu and Sikh refugees from West Punjab migrated to Delhi. Since then, the city has not looked back. Delhi presents a beautiful blend of the varied cultures. The beauty of the city lies in the diversity it exhibits. In some places it is a garden city with beautiful parks, while in some places, it’s crowded with heavy traffic. Turbaned Sikhs, colourfully dressed Rajasthani and Gujarati women, Muslim shopkeepers in Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi, Tibetans and Ladakhis along Janpath and Kashmiris in the handicraft emporia around Connaught Place, all add to the cosmopolitan feel of the city.

Soaring skyscrapers, posh residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes can be seen adding on to its metropolitan characteristic. This is complimented by the ancient historical monuments. The traditional and contemporary art and crafts from all over the country are available in boutiques and shopping arcades here. Other than this, Delhi has become the center stage for all the political activities in the country. The premier government, administrative and judiciary buildings are also located here. The leaders of the nation run the nation and write the future of millions of people from Delhi itself.

Delhi Tourist Attractions

Besides the majestic forts and monuments, the capital city of India houses several other attractions that lure the tourists. Delhi sightseeing tour will give you a first-hand experience of the co-existing cultures, lifestyles and magnanimity of the city. New Delhi is the capital of India and therefore exhibits all the features of a cosmopolitan city. It presents a unique blend of the antiquity as well as the modernity of the time.

The city has served as the hub of activity since the Mahabharta age. Many emperors and rulers dominated the city leaving their imprints behind in the form of various buildings and structures. It has acquired pace with time and is moving in sync with the fast changing world. A tour of the Delhi is one of the best ways to witness the versatility of this amazing Indian city.

Rashtrapati Bhawan

Rashtrapati Bhawan was formerly known as ‘Viceroy’s House’ and was occupied by the Governor-General of India, until independence. Also known as President’s House, the building holds a prominent position in New Delhi. Designed by the British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, this classical building uses colors and details peculiar to Indian architecture. It was completed by 1929 and was officially inaugurated in 1931. It was in 1950 that President started living in this ceremonial building and the ‘Viceroy’s House’ was renamed as ‘Rashtrapati Bhavan.’ It has 340 decorated rooms and a floor area of 200,000 square feet.

It presents a blend of Mughal and European architectural styles. While Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India, Sansad Bhawan or the Parliament House is the center of political power in India Parliament House is one of the most magnificent buildings in New Delhi. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, it took six years to be constructed. It was inaugurated on 18th January, 1927 by the then Governor-General of India, Lord Irwin. The massive circular edifice has a circumference of about one-third of a mile and stretches across six acres.

The beautiful works that make the architecture of the Parliament House so special include the layout of fountains both inside and outside the building, statues, murals and marble ‘jali’ (mesh) that adorn its windows. It houses Lok Sabha (House of the People), Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the erstwhile Library Hall (formerly the Princes Chamber). Along with this, there are well-planned garden courts, accommodation for Ministers and Chairmen, Parliamentary Committees, Party Offices, important offices of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha here. Secretariats and the offices of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs are also located here.

Rajghat

Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most visited sites in Delhi. It consists of a simple square black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru – the first Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Raj Ghat is situated to the south of Red Fort and is very peaceful. The black marble tomb is inscribed by the words ‘Hey Ram!’, the last words that were spoken by Mahatma Gandhi, as he fell down after being shot by Nathuram Godse. The whole edifice of the Samadhi reflects the simple and nature-loving personality of the great leader. The cenotaph stands surrounded by earthworks that protect it from the flooding of the Yamuna. These walls have resulted in the open space of the memorial being converted into an enclosed garden.

It is customary to circumambulate the tomb three times. The powerful spiritual aura of the place touches one’s heart. This national shrine has an eternal flame and the sandstone walls enclosing it are inscribed with various passages written by Gandhi. The entire area of Rajghat stands surrounded by trees and here, one can see some of the most exotic shrubs of the country. This greenery is what lends such a serene aura to the Samadhi. The affairs of the Rajghat are being managed by an autonomous statutory body.

It is known by the name of Rajghat Samadhi Committee and was created by an Act of Parliament in 1951. One can also visit the National Gandhi Museum in the vicinity, which houses a collection of rare photographs and trivia related to Gandhiji. Vijay Ghat is the memorial of Prime Minister Lal Bhadur Shastri, while Indira Gandhi was cremated in Shakti Sthal. Rajeev Gandhi followed his mother’s footsteps and was the most beloved Prime Minister of India, when he was slaughtered in a terrorist attack. He was cremated at the Veer Bhoomi.

India Gate

The war memorial arch, India Gate, was built by the British in the honor of the unknown martyrs, who lost their lives in the First World War and Second Afghan War. Vijay Chowk (the Victory Square) is the site of ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony held annually in New Delhi, on 29th January. Originally known as All India War Memorial, it has the names of the soldiers who died in the wars inscribed on its walls. Since 1971, there is the eternal soldier’s flame burning under it, known as ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’.

It is said that Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed India Gate and its surrounding area. India Gate is situated on Rajpath (the Royal Road). It is the ceremonial boulevard of the Indian republic that boasts of ornamental parks, pools and gardens alongside. It is here that the much-awaited event of Republic Day Parade takes place on 26th January every year. Rajpath runs through India Gate and Vijay Chowk and has Rashtrapati Bhavan at one end and National Stadium at another.

As we go along Rajpath, across Raisina Hill – the administrative center of India, we find the two secretarial buildings – North Block and South Block on its either side. One can also see Sansad Marg and the Parliament House along the stretch of this wide road. North Block houses the offices of Finance and Home Ministries, while South Block is home to External Affairs and Defense Ministries. Other than this, Rajpath is surrounded by many official buildings and museums. There is Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts as well as National Museum, famous for its archaeological collections.

Old Delhi

Old Delhi was once known as the city of Shahjahanabad. Shah Jahan established it and made it his capital. This fortified city has a long and interesting history and even today, the remains of its glorious past can be seen in the form of Kashmiri Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate, Delhi Gate and Feroz Shah Kotla. The ever-increasing population in this area has resulted in extremely dense housing overlapping the small industries and commercial activities in the region. Purani Dilli, the capital of Muslim India, from 17th to 19th century houses a number of forts, monuments and mosques.

Chandni Chowk, Red Fort and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, are also a part of Old Delhi. The prime attractions of Old Delhi include Kashmiri Gate, which was witness to the desperate fighting where mutineers of 1857 were crushed by the British with an iron hand. Then, there is the British-erected Mutiny Memorial, the Ashoka pillar brought here by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, Digambar Jain Mandir, Sunehri and Fatehpur Masjid, the ruins of the city of Feroz Shah Kotla, erected by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354, and Raj Ghat.

Today, Purani Dilli is a labyrinth of tiny lanes lined, with the remnants of 17th century havelis (mansions), inhabited by a predominantly Muslim population. Yet other attractions of Old Delhi include Zinat-ul Masjid in Daryaganj, which is also known as Cloud Mosque and was built in 1710 by one of Aurangzeb’s daughters. Then, there is the Gandhi Memorial Museum and the St. James Church, the oldest church of Delhi built by Col. James Skinner, who was the son of a Scotsman and his Rajput wife.

Chandni Chowk

The antiquity of the main market area of Chandni Chowk has rendered it a venerated place in the markets of Delhi. It is said that it was once lined with beautiful fountains. However, with time, it grew as crowded as it is today. Situated opposite the Red Fort, Chandani Chowk houses the Digambar Jain Temple, Fatehpuri Mosque – built by the wives of Shah Jahan – and Sunheri Masjid.

It was from here that the troops of Nadir Shah started their mission of plundering and massacring the ‘infidels’ at Delhi. One of the most prominent wholesale and retail markets of India, Chandni Chowk is more than 300 years old. It was established in 1650, when Mughal Emperor Shahjahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, as an accompaniment to the fort. Jahanara, the Emperor’s favorite daughter, is credited with designing this market, where an arcade of shops was built in a half-moon shape around a pool.

It soon budded into a prosperous trading center and branched into a number of by-lanes and soon stretched from the Fort to Fatehpuri Mosque. A canal known as Faiz Nahar, renovated by Ali Mardan Khan, is said to have run through the entire length of Chandni Chowk, providing water for both drinking and irrigation, but it went into disuse later. Besides the Red Fort situated nearby, one can also visit the famous Chawri Bazaar.

It is one of the narrowest, busiest and most prosperous trading centers of Delhi, dealing in iron and hardware, paper, utensils of brass, copper and stainless steel. You can see traditional framework of Chandni Chowk consisting of ‘Havelis’, ‘Kuchas’ & ‘Katras’. Visit the seven major Hindu and Jain temples, two Churches, three Mosques and two Gurudwaras in the area. These places of worship include Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Shish Ganj, Gauri Shankar temple and Sunahari Masjid.

Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple is a magnificent Hindu shrine, situated in the east region of New Delhi. Located on the banks of River Yamuna, it was inaugurated in November 2005, by the former President of India – APJ Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister – Manmohan Singh and Pramukh Swami Maharaj – the spiritual leader of BAPS. Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the current spiritual leader of Swaminarayan Sanstha, BAPS. Swaminarayan Akshardham was constructed under his guidance, after his guru, Yogiji Maharaj, expressed a wish for the same.

As a spiritual leader, Swamiji constantly travels and meets people across the world, to help them lead better lives. There are various cultural and educational activities conducted by the Swaminarayan Sanstha. Akshardham is also a part of BAPS’s initiative to promote Indian art, culture and values. BAPS also has a charitable arm, known as BAPS Care, working for the betterment of the people. The main shrine in the complex is dedicated to Bhawgwan Swaminarayan.

The temple enshrines 11 ft tall gilded statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The building is constructed entirely from Pink Sandstone and Italian Marble, without any concrete or steel. The intricate carvings, magnanimous structure and the backdrop of River Yamuna, render the temple a masterpiece of art. Other than the main temple, there are a number of buildings in the complex where you can enjoy cultural and spiritual activities.

The Halls

‘Sahajanand Pradarshan’ is the first Hall in the complex. It features life size robots, dioramas, and incidents from Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s life. It also houses world’s smallest animatronic robot, in the form of Ghanshyam Maharaj, the child form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

‘Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra’, Hall 2, houses a large format screen. Here, a movie, specially commissioned for the complex, shows the journey of Bhagwan Swaminarayan throughout India.

‘Sanskruti Vihar’, Hall 3, takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of Indian history in 10 minutes. Visitors are seated in specially designed peacock boats that make their way around an artificial river.

The Yagnapurush Kund
The Yagnapurush Kund is India’s largest step well. It descends down, via a series of steps, to a traditional ‘yagna kund’. At night, a musical fountain show, representing the circle of life, is played for an audience, seated on the same steps.

The Bharat Upavan
The Bharat Upavan, or ‘Garden of India’, has sprawling lawns, varied trees and shrubs, dotted with bronze sculptures of the contributors to India’s culture.

The Yogi Hraday Kamal
It is a lotus shaped garden, containing stones engraved with quotes from world luminaries, ranging from Shakespeare and Martin Luther King, to Swami Vivekananda and Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Other Features

• Nilkanth Abishek Mandapam
• Narayan Sarovar
• AARSH Centre
• Premvati Ahargruh

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