Famous Indian author Khushwant Singh once said “I asked my soul: What is Delhi? She replied: The world is the body and Delhi its life.” The crowned capital city of India. It’s residents, polite and welcoming with open arms. It’s delicacies and cuisines, alluring and mouthwatering.
A city with a population of a crore and a union of over various cultures from both southern and northern parts of India. It is a culturally deep and colourful city known to wear these very values on its sleeves. Parts of its distinct cultural history are still resonated by its monuments.
Here’s a list of some of Delhi’s historical places that you should unequivocally consider for a visit:
1. Red Fort
“A palace worthy of kings.”
If Delhi is the crown capital of India, Red Fort is the crown jewel. Nearly 400 years old today, it was home to four heirs of the Mughal dynasty for over 200 years. Built in the year 1639, Red Fort is a prime example of human ingenuity and craftsmanship as it still stands tall, in a pristine condition, like it was built just yesterday.
It was built under the orders of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, as the palace of his then capital city Shahjahanabad (currently: Delhi). A monument that still resonates with Delhi’s colourful history. A fair choice for a fair king. A symbol of strength and valour.
2. India Gate
“A monument fit to honour the dearly departed.”
Built to honour the memory of Indian war heroes, India Gate is a 138-foot tall war memorial monument situated in Rajpath (Kingsway) boulevard of New Delhi.
Built in the year 1921 (unveiled in 1932) it is a gargantuan archway which houses the “Amar Jawan Jyoti” an immortal flame which burns to this day in the honour of every Indian soldier that has laid down his life in the service of this great nation, since the year of 1914. It gives every Indian a sense of pride and duty, felt by all those who visit this location till date.
3. Qutub Minar
“Move aside, leaning tower of Pisa. We have a real champion here.”
The world’s tallest minaret built solely with bricks, the Qutub Minar is a monument built in the structure of a tower in Mehrauli region of Delhi, India. Standing 73 meters tall (or five stories) it is another example of Mughal architectural excellence. The story behind its construction is one to behold.
Construction started in Qutab-Ud-Din-Aibak in the year 1192, He built only the first storey, his successor Iltutmish added 3 more floors in the year 1220. The top floor of the minaret was destroyed due to lightning and reconstructed by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Finally, it was made the way it was by the Afghan Sher Shah Suri who added a staircase of 379 steps inside it. A place definitely worth a visit for all history buffs.
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4. Jantar Mantar
“An instrument to measure and map the heavens.”
Wikipedia
One piece of five structures built all across India by Maharaja Jai Singh II, ‘Jantar Mantar’ is an astronomical structure consisting of 13 instruments. Built in the year 1724 under the orders of the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah of Delhi.
It was built with the purpose of astrology to predict the movements of the sun, the moon and the planetary bodies in the solar system. A historical piece of human engineering, it stands to erect till date as a symbol of Indian scientific prowess in historic times.
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5. Sheesh Mahal
“The garden of kings, for kings, by kings.”
Wikipedia
Another construction under the rule of the ever so romanticised Mughal ruler Shah Jahan the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ is the primary palace built as a part of a huge garden estate, ‘Shalimar Bagh’. Built under the orders of Akbarabadi Begum, one of Shah Jahan’s many wives, it is a breathtaking garden estate covered with exotic shrubberies and fruit-bearing trees.
It’s glory only shy to the garden of Eden itself. Built using exotic Lahori bricks and red sandstones. Although he built several other such estates for his other begum’s, this one was amongst Shah Jahan’s favourite Bagan’s to lounge during his travels. Whenever you visit this beautiful city, do walk through these gardens. Don’t forget to carry some sunscreen though.
6. Pataudi Palace
“From nawabs of Pataudi to nawabs of Bollywood.”
This palace situated in Gurgaon, Delhi NCR has both a rich past and a tasteful present. Also known as Ibrahim Kothi, this palace was built as a result of a matrimonial union between the Nawab of Pataudi and the Begum of Bhopal.
The Nawab had reservations about the grandeur of his former home, he thought it was not grand enough for his bride-to-be, so, at the behest of the 8th Nawab of Pataudi, Iftikhar Ali Khan, the architect Robert Tor Russell fashioned this colonial-era mansion.
The current residential owners of this fine estate are none other than Bollywood superstars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. It currently evaluates to 800 crores in monetary value.
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7. Farrukh Nagar Fort
“Octagonal ornament of Faujdar Khan.”
Farrukh nagar fort (also known as Dilli Darwaza) is an Indian monument situated near Gurgaon, Delhi NCR. An octagonal shaped fort with a brilliant design and impressive bastions was a part of the Mughal empires defensive effort. It is one of the 5 surviving entrances to the city built under the reign of Faujdar Khan the first nawab of Farrukhnagar.
It has been through the reigns of not one but three different rules: The Mughals, The Jaat and The British. There is a Farrukh nagar community around it today, which has a rich cultural history reflected by this very moment that once defended it.
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8. Qutub Khan’s Tomb
“A monument built to remind, not to remember.”
A monument built in memory of emperor Akbar’s foster brother and a general in his army. Adham Khan was executed by the orders of Akbar himself when Khan committed an act of treason by murdering Akbar’s favourite general, Ataga Khan. Soon after in grief, Adham’s mother passed away as well. Both were buried under the same roof of the monument.
It is a rare example of a something built as a reminder of treason as opposed to most monuments which are built in honour one’s memory. Another reminder of the city’s rich history. It’s octagonal shape is also a rare piece of engineering, never seen in monuments built as a sign of endearment or honour.
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9. National Zoological Park
“Where there is man, there is beast, there is nature.”
A residence for 1350 animals of 130 different species, the “National Zoological Park” is almost an allegory of Delhi’s own diverse and multicultural population. It is located in the dead center of the metropolitan city. Spread across an area of 176 acres near old fort Delhi, an oddly fitting location which entertains people visiting from different parts of the world.
The park not only houses animals from Indian sub-continent but also from areas around the world. White tigers, deers, squirrels, etc, you name it and it can be found here. If you do decide to visit this place, remember one thing – no food is allowed inside.
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10. Purana Qila
“The four walls of the fort, each tell a different story.”
Wikipedia
Purana Qila or Old Fort is as the name suggests, one of the oldest forts in Delhi. It is believed to have been built under the reign of Mughal emperor Humayun and Afghan Sher Shah Suri. Under Suri’s rule the fort was renamed “Shergarh’ after he defeated Humayun’s forces in the Battle of Chausa. It’s history however, is not rooted in war but also art.
The premises has housed several theatre plays conducted by the likes of Ebrahim Alkazi. Inside the fort, Sher Shah Suri also constructed the Qila Kuhna Masjid, a brilliant pre-mughal architectural piece. This location is a sight for sore eyes.