Delhi is no fairytale city but a city where dreams come to reality. 
Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties 
chose it as their seat of power. Delhi is truly a symbol of the old and the new; a blend 
of ancient well preserved monuments and temples along with jam-packed burger joints and upmarket shopping malls.

The city is lushed with a plethora of temples, forts, mosques as well as parks, 
gardens and beautiful colonial mansions. Delhi may seem daunting to a first time 
visitor but as a national capital and the gateway to the North, it is a must visit city on 
any travelers itinerary. Impressive museums and interesting nightlife, Delhi has a lot to offer for everyone. 

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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The Origin: 
The earliest reference to a settlement at Delhi is found in the epic Mahabharata,
which mentions a city called Indraprastha, built about 1400 BC under the direction 
of 'Yudhistra', a 'Pandava' king, on a huge mound somewhere between the sites 
where the historic Old Fort and Humayun's Tomb were later to be located. 
Although nothing remains of Indraprastha, according to legend it was a thriving city.

The first reference to the place-name Delhi, seems to have been made in the 
1st century BC, when Raja Dhilu built a city near the site of the future Qutub Minar and named it after himself.

A Conglomerate Of Seven Cities: 
One of the most fascinating aspects of Delhi is the visibility of its historic past. 
Some of the large portions of the city could be well earmarked as archeological 
parks because the rulers of successive dynasties between the 13th and the 
17th centuries established seven cities in different parts of Delhi. 
A chronological review of these cities fortunately also serves as suitable itinery
for tourists and highlights the important monuments amongst the 1300's. 

Delhi's History goes much further back in time than the 13th century. 
The core of the first of the seven cities was created by Anagpal 
Tomar who is said to have built LAL KOT, which is the first known regular 
defence work in Delhi. The Chauhan Rajput's later captured Delhi from the 
Tomars. Prithviraj III, also known as Rai Pithora, extended Lal Kot, adding 
massive ramparts and gates and made Quila Rai Pithora the first city of Delhi. 
Today only, the ramparts are visible near the Qutub Minar, though the 
city is known to have had several Hindu and Jain temples. 

Soon afterwards, in two successive battles of Tarain 1191, the Rajputs first 
managed to hold off an invading force from Afghanistan, led by Muhammad 
Ghuri but surrendered a few months later. Unlike other invaders of Central 
Asia who swept into the northern plains, Muhammad Ghuri came to stay and not only plunder. 

After Ghuri's assasination in 1206, his provinces, forts and monuments 
were kept intact in the hands of his Turkish general, Qutub-ud-din-Aibak. 
Qutub-ud-din was the founder of the Slave or Mamulak dynasty also known as 
Delhi Sultanate and became the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. He also raised the 
construction of Qutub Minar. His successor, Iltutmish, was arguably the greatest of the early Delhi Sultans.
The Slave Dynasty (1211-1227) was followed by the Khalji dynasty (1296-1316)
and during the rule of Ala-ud-din Khalji, the second city of Delhi was built - 
"SIRI". Today Siri is situated where the Siri Fort and the modern day 
Asiad Village Complex are located. The third city of Delhi - TUGHLUQABAD was 
founded by the Tughluq dynasty soon after in 1320 AD but very little remains of this 
can be seen in present day Delhi. The fourth city of Delhi - JAHANPANAH was 
built between Lal Kot and Siri in 1327 AD. The next Sultan 
Firoz Shah built the fifth city of Delhi - FIROZABAD in 1354 AD. 

The Tughlaq's were followed by the Central Asian Turk-Timur, who was later 
succeeded by the Sayyid dynasty. The Lodi dynasty soon followed and the 
only interesting architectural features added by them were the tombs, 
the best of which may be seen at the Lodi Gardens. The famous battle of
Panipat fought in 1526 AD marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India, 
a period in history that was very significant. 

Babur and Humayun were the early Mughal rulers followed by a 15-year break in 
Mughal rule when Sher Shah Suri an Afghan king ruled over Delhi. 
He built the fort DIN-PANAH - the 6th city on the banks of the Yamuna, 
which in present day Delhi is known as the Purana Qila. When Emperor Akbar took over, 
the capital was shifted to Agra. However in 1628 AD, Delhi was once again 
made the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Shah Jahan. 
In Shah Jahan's rule, Delhi witnessed the construction of some of the finest pieces 
of Mughal architecture. There was the new walled capital of SHAHJAHANBAD - the 7th city of Delhi, 
which is now Old Delhi with the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid. 

The Colonial Era : For the next many decades, Delhi witnessed tumultuous times,
different rulers and dynasties and finally in 1803 AD, the British who had already 
established their presence in India, took over power in Delhi. Delhi was the focal 
point for the first war of independence in 1857. Though the revolt did not reach its 
desired conclusion, Delhi became a thorn in the eyes of the British. 

As the Britishers shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi, all the activities 
during the freedom struggle were directed towards Delhi. Thus, 
Delhi also bears the marks of the freedom struggle. 
The ultimate goal of the Azad Hind Fauz during the freedom struggle was to capture 
Delhi and established Swaraj. The slogan 'Dilli Chalo' is still used by leaders and 
political parties when they oraganise any rally or demonstration. It was the hosting 
of the tricolour at Red Fort in Delhi, which marked a chapter in the history of India. 
In 1950, Delhi was made the capital of Independent India and in 1992 it was declared a state

Old Delhi and New Delhi
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