History of Delhi
An Introduction
It's hard to think of Delhi as anything but the capital of India but for a surprisingly long time Delhi was not the hot seat of power. Having said that, however, it's also true that Delhi was never exactly a sidekick on the scene of Indian history. All through its long innings, the present capital of India has been an important player.
Reasons for this might be found in its geographical location. Delhi has always been a convenient link between Central Asia, the northwest frontiers and the rest of the country. An inscription dating from the time of Asoka, the famous Mauryan king, tells us that Delhi was on the great northern highway of the Mauryas and linked their capital Patliputta (near modern Patna, Bihar) with Taxila (Takshashila), now in Pakistan. This was apparently the route that Buddhist monks took on their way to Taxila, the intellectual hotbed in those days, and Central Asia. What one can read between the lines is that it was also the route that the Mauryan armies took enroute to quelling the frequent rebellions and foreign insurgencies in Taxila and other such border trouble spots. So, this gave Delhi considerable strategic importance.
The story of Delhi unfolds far back in the dark mists of history.
City :- IndraprasthaIt's hard to think of Delhi as anything but the capital of India but for a surprisingly long time Delhi was not the hot seat of power. Having said that, however, it's also true that Delhi was never exactly a sidekick on the scene of Indian history. All through its long innings, the present capital of India has been an important player.
Reasons for this might be found in its geographical location. Delhi has always been a convenient link between Central Asia, the northwest frontiers and the rest of the country. An inscription dating from the time of Asoka, the famous Mauryan king, tells us that Delhi was on the great northern highway of the Mauryas and linked their capital Patliputta (near modern Patna, Bihar) with Taxila (Takshashila), now in Pakistan. This was apparently the route that Buddhist monks took on their way to Taxila, the intellectual hotbed in those days, and Central Asia. What one can read between the lines is that it was also the route that the Mauryan armies took enroute to quelling the frequent rebellions and foreign insurgencies in Taxila and other such border trouble spots. So, this gave Delhi considerable strategic importance.
The story of Delhi unfolds far back in the dark mists of history.Date :-1450 BC (approx.)
Site :- In Purana Qila
Remains :- Archeological finds now support the view that this was indeed Delhi's earliest city. This has not surprised anyone in Delhi, for popular opinion had never doubted the existence of Indra-prashtha. Reasons for its decline are not known.
City :- Lal Kot or Qila Rai Pithora
Date :- 1060 AD; built by Rajput Tomaras. 12th century; captured and enlarged by the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan.
Site :- QutubMinar-Mehraulicomplex.
Remains :- Very little remains of the original Lal Kot. of the 13 gates of Rai Pithora fort, now only three remain.
City :- Siri
Date :-1304 AD; built by Alauddin Khilji of the Delhi Sultanate. Alauddin Khilji was well-known for his trade reforms, so it's not surprising that Siri was a major trading throughout the centre the Hauz-i-Alai, 14th century.
Site :- Near Hauz Khas and Gulmohar Park.
Remains :- Some portions and walls remain. Alauddin Khilji also built other things around Siri. Like, the beautiful Alai Darwaza, the south gate of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and reservoir in present-day Hauz Khas.
City :- Tughlaqabad
Date :- 1321-23 AD. Built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
Site :- 8km from the Qutub complex.
Remains:- Walls and some ruined buildings.
City :-Jahanpanah
Date :- Mid-14th century. Built by Mohammad- bin-Tughlaq, the so-called lunatic king. Actually he had some brilliant ideas but fumbled badly in their execution.
Site :- Between Siri and Qutub Minar.
Remains:-A few remnants of defensive ramparts.
City :-Ferozabad
Date :- 1354 AD; by Feroze Tughlaq. It remained the capital until Sikander Lodi moved to Agra.
Site:- Kotla Feroze Shah.
Remains:- Only the Asoka Pillar rising from the ruins remains. There is stadium for cricket which is called Feroze Shah Kotla grounds. It is also a regular bus stop.
City :- Dilli Sher Shahi (Shergarh)
Date :- 1534; This Delhi was actually started by Humayun, the second Mughal emperor. After he was defeated and forced into exile, his far more able overthrower Sher Shah
Suri completed it.
Site :- Opposite the zoo. Around Purana Qila.
Remains:- High gates,walls,mosque and a great baoli(well). Kabuli and Lal Darwaza gates and the Sher Mandal.
City :- Shajahanabad
Date :- Mid-17th century. Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor moved his capital from Agra to here.
Site :- The existing Old Delhi.
Remains :- The Red Fort, Jama Masjid, main streets of Old Delhi (like Chandini Chowk), long sections of walls and several city gates. Old Delhi might be congested, but it still retains its medieval charm. The people are very warm and welcoming, even though riots between Hindus and Muslims are quite common.
City :- New Delhi
Date :- 1920s. The formal announcement to move the seat of power from Calcutta to Delhi was made during the famous Delhi Durbar in 1911. Contractors and workers working from the designs of Edward Lutyens completed the main buildings 20 years later. Since then Delhi has remained the capital of India.
Site :- Connaught Place and Rajpath.
Remains:- All the main British buildings, which include the spacious bungalows of the now elite New Delhi area, the President's House, the Parliament and Supreme Court.
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