New Delhi - History at every turn
Description:
Mesmerizing. Modern. Ancient. Diverse.
Delhi overwhelms at first sight. Stand resolute and the city lifts its varied veils to reveal gems of history at every turn.
Delhi has been almost continuously inhabited since sixth century B.C.
With the rise of the Delhi Sultanate in 1200 A.D, Delhi became the most important city in India. The Qutub Minar, completed in 1386, is the landmark structure of this period. At 72.5 meters it is the tallest brick minaret in the world.
The Mughal emperor Shahjahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi in 1639. The result was a walled city called Sahjahanabad. It exists today as 'old delhi' with the Red Fort, Chandani Chowk and Jama Masjid as its architectural linchpins.
When the British decided to shift their capital to Delhi, they settled on the relatively open area to the south of the walled city. Designed to project British Imperial ambitions, this part of Delhi is known for its imposing colonial architecture and wide, tree-lined boulevards.
Visit it for its buildings, its eclectic mix of cultures from all across India, the bustle of its bazaars, the smile of its people. Delhi, in the end, lets you find exactly what you came looking for. You just have to stay long enough...
(Photo Credit: mpnchar/flickr)
Delhi overwhelms at first sight. Stand resolute and the city lifts its varied veils to reveal gems of history at every turn.
Delhi has been almost continuously inhabited since sixth century B.C.
With the rise of the Delhi Sultanate in 1200 A.D, Delhi became the most important city in India. The Qutub Minar, completed in 1386, is the landmark structure of this period. At 72.5 meters it is the tallest brick minaret in the world.
The Mughal emperor Shahjahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi in 1639. The result was a walled city called Sahjahanabad. It exists today as 'old delhi' with the Red Fort, Chandani Chowk and Jama Masjid as its architectural linchpins.
When the British decided to shift their capital to Delhi, they settled on the relatively open area to the south of the walled city. Designed to project British Imperial ambitions, this part of Delhi is known for its imposing colonial architecture and wide, tree-lined boulevards.
Visit it for its buildings, its eclectic mix of cultures from all across India, the bustle of its bazaars, the smile of its people. Delhi, in the end, lets you find exactly what you came looking for. You just have to stay long enough...
(Photo Credit: mpnchar/flickr)
Author: Sanjay Kumar
Day 1 - New Delhi
Delhi before the Mughals. Experience the architecture of the period leading up to Mughal Rule. Locations: CBD, South-west Delhi, South Delhi.
Transport Tip: Book a full-day taxi, Radio taxis are available, they are clean, air-conditioned, and generally charge Rs. 15 ($ 0.34 approx) per kilometer. Ask your Hotel Travel Desk to help, or go online to any of these sites: www.merucabs.com, www.carzonrent.com, www.quickcabs.in, www.smartcabs.com
1
Park (The)
Location:
view in google maps15 Parliament Street
110001 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2374 30002
Jantar Mantar
Location:
view in google mapsConnaught Place
110001 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00054
Ugrasen Ki Baoli
Location:
view in google mapsNear Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
Connaught Place
110001 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist Information)5
Alai Darwaza
Location:
view in google mapsQutub Minar Complex
110016 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist Information)6
Qutub Minar
Location:
view in google mapsMehrauli
110030 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00057
Alai Minar
Location:
view in google mapsQutub Minar Complex
Mehrauli
110016 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist Information)8
Iron Pillar
Location:
view in google mapsQutub Minar Complex
Delhi-Gurgaon Road, Mehrauli
110030 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00059
Tomb of Iltutmish
Location:
view in google mapsQutub Minar Complex
Mehrauli
110030 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist Information)10
Jamali Kamali
Location:
view in google mapsNear Qutub Minar Complex
Mehrauli Road
110030 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist Information)11
Bijai Mandal
Location:
view in google mapsSarvapriya Vihar
110017 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2462 936512
Lal Gumbad
Location:
view in google mapsPanchshila Park
Malviya Nagar
110017 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2464 7005(Tourist Information)13
Bukhara
Location:
view in google mapsMaurya Sheraton
Diplomatic Enclave
110021 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2611 2233Day 2 - New Delhi
Mughal Delhi: Spend a day revisiting the pomp and grandeur of Mughal times. Mostly in and around the walled city. Also, spice up the day with a visit to Khari Baoli.
1
Purana Qila (Old Fort)
Location:
view in google mapsOff Mathura Road
110034 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist Information)2
Khari Baoli
Location:
view in google mapsNear Turkman Gate
Near Turkman Gate
110006 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00053
Fatehpuri Masjid
Location:
view in google mapsChandni Chowk
Lal Kuan Bazar
110006 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2464 7005(Tourist Information)4
Jama Masjid
Location:
view in google mapsChandni Chowk
110006 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00055
Chandni Chowk
Location:
view in google mapsRed Fort
110006 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00056
Lahore Gate (The)
Location:
view in google mapsRed Fort
110006 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00057
Red Fort
Location:
view in google mapsOff Mahatma Gandhi Marg
Chandni Chowk
110006 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 (0)11 2464 70058
Sound and Light Show
Location:
view in google mapsRed Fort
110006 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 (0)11 2328 1802 / +91 (0)11 2327 4580 (India Tourism)9
Karim's
Location:
view in google maps16 Gali Kababian
Jama Masjid
110006 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2326 9880Day 3 - New Delhi
Colonial Delhi with a Mughal intermission: See India's center of power, imperial architecture at its glorious best, two Mughal memorial tombs that still mesmerize. End the the day in serene wonder with a visit to a mammoth white lotus floating on water.
1
India Gate
Location:
view in google mapsRajpath
110001 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 (0)11 2464 70052
Sansad Bhavan
Location:
view in google mapsSansad Marg
110001 New Delhi, India
3
Rashtrapati Bhavan (President House)
Location:
view in google mapsRajpath
110001 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 332 00054
Secretariat (The)
Location:
view in google mapsRajpath
110001 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00055
Safdarjung Tomb
Location:
view in google mapsLodhi Road
Near Safdarjung Airport
110003 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00056
Humayun's Tomb
Location:
view in google mapsNizamuddin
110013 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00057
Bahai Temple
Location:
view in google mapsNehru Place
110017 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 11 2332 00058
Chor Bizzare
Location:
view in google maps4/15A, Hotel Broadway
Asaf Ali Road
110002 New Delhi, India
Phone:
+91 (0)11 2327 3821 / +91 (0)11 2327 3825