Why visit Delhi
- Delhi is the capital of the largest democracy of the world
- City that is a blend of several historical eras
- Delhi houses two World Heritage sites
Delhi was established from as early as 900B.C to 1930 when the British completed construction of New Delhi as the capital of Imperial India. It is, therefore not surprising that the monuments of Delhi successfully mirror the development of the architectural styles in the country. Delhi's famous "seven cities" range from the 12th century Quli Rai Pithora, built by Prithviraj Chauhan, to the imperial Shajahanabad, constructed by the Mughals in the 17th century. After Delhi Sultans consolidated their territories they moved their defensively situated capital into the rocky outcrops of the Aravallis, to the northeast, towards the open plains by the banks of Yamuna. Today Delhi is an amalgam of the ruins of medieval citadels, palaces, tombs and mosques, and an ever-expanding, modern concrete jungle. Of the many attractions in Delhi, the major sites are the Rashtrapati Bhawan designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens as the British Viceroys Palace, Shahajahanabad (Old Delhi) where the Red Fort is, or Jami Masjid in the famed Chandni Chowk in the heart of Old Delhi. The tomb of Emperor Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, is the first great example of a Mughal garden tomb and inspiration for several later monuments such as the incomparable Taj Mahal. The Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage monument, was built over Rajputs territories, by Qutubuddin Aibak. India's highest single tower, the Qutub Minar marked the site in north India for the first Muslim kingdom established in 1193. A mix of four major religions, thousands of years of history and cultural development, significant movements of different populations, invasions and colonialisation, Delhi has one of the most vibrant and profound cultures in the world.
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