I am not a historian nor someone who fared very well in history in school, but over the years I hav...
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I am not a historian nor someone who fared very well in history in school, but over the years I have begun to love places and monuments that will outlive me ands many others and speak of a civilization we call, Indian. And in that respect, I am a proud Indian.
So, let us take a tour around Delhi, through my eyes.
The star attraction of the Qutb complex is, of course, the
Qutb Minar (1200-1210) itself, started by Aibak but finished by Iltutmish. The decreasing in size as the tower moves up and so if you look up it looks really high. The two topmost storeys, were added later by Feroze Shah Tughlaq. It is an excellent example of Afgan architecture. The Minar is 72.5 metres high.
Design on the inside of the many domes at the Kutub Minar...
Crowd at The Baha'i House - Lotus Temple
Baha’I House of Worship is also known as
The Lotus Temple. It was built in 1987 and signifies the purity and equality of all religions.
Lotus Temple
The Main tomb at Lodi Garden....
Lodi Gardens With the Lodi dynasty and most Mughal kings sthe capital had shifted to Agra. Delhi wasn't really abondoned but its importance played down.
Yet the buildings that stand in Lodi Gardens today are a joy forever and a remembrance of the austerity and impressiveness of Tughlaq times.
A glace of the same from a different angle
Lodi Gardens, was landscaped in 1968 by the famous Joseph Allen Stein. It has the mid-15th century Bada Gumbad and the Shish Gumbad. And the Tomb of Sikandar Lodi (1517), near a bridge called Athpula, the latter built in Akbar's time. Lodi Garden continues to remain the joggers and walkers paradise.
Isha Khan's tomb
Humayun's Tomb It is a place of silence, the Tomb as well as its surrounding garden. You can sit there for hours, just lost in thoughts. Such a quiet dignity surrounds it. Babur's son Humayun and daughter-in-law Haji Begum had spent a good five years in Persia in exile. When they returned they came with a retinue of Persian architects and artisans. And thus began the formal interface of Persian trends with Indian architecture, which you find in the Taj Mahal as well.
Humayun's Tomb (1565-66) was built by Haji Begam. It is a prototype of The Taj and replicates the garden tombs of that era.is thus the first of the famous garden tombs of the Mughals, the first tomb in . We are grateful that this building has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (1993).
Inside Isha Khan's tomb Tomb
Humayun's Tomb
Without mention of the silence of Humayun’s tomb and the surrounding areas, it is in fact a sin to leave this short account. Blissfully, silent, one which everyone must experience.
Red Fort This was built by Shah Jahan who also built The Taj Mahal. The historic Red Fort at Chandni Chowk (Shahjahanabad) is a perfect example of Persian urban-planning precepts, which believed in expressing the relation between human beings and the world when designing cities.
Shahjahanabad (1648) was established when Shah Jahan desired a formally planned capital as opposed to the sporadic collection of buildings that was Agra. It's a travesty to speak of 'Shahjahanabad', since the city was systematically destroyed by the British after the Revolt of 1857, cut through by a railway line, turned over to the Army in independent India.
Inside The Red Fort - Deewan'i Khaas, Dewan'i aam...
Entrance of The Red Fort
The Red Fort houses the Diwan-i-Aam with its painted marble canopy; Khaas Mahal (the king's quarters) with its incredibly intricate marble jaali; the adjacent Diwan-i-Khaas ('Hall of Private Audience'); the Shah Burj in a secluded corner, built for no other known purpose except the emperor's luxury of whiling away time... 'marble tents' all of them. The construction of Red Fort started in 1639 and ended in 1648.
Outside Red Fort
Opposite the Red Fort you have the Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India and stands across the road from Red Fort. It was built in 1656 by Shahjahan. Also opposite are the
Jain temples.
At Raj Ghat - The Father Of The Nation -
Hey Ram
Note: To look at more pictures of Delhi, please view the photo album - Delhi Photos
Hi Julia,
Thanks for the tip. I go to India for a 1mth visit once in few years. Not sure if I will get a chance to visit Delhi as my parents and in laws are in Hyderabad. But I will keep your point in mind when I visit. :-)
Madhuri
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Hi Madhuri,
If you are like me, then Delhi is a must. No other city in this country gives you so many monuments in one place but remember to spend an entire day in Kutub Minar - its awsome!
Julia
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Hi Julia,
A very informative and nice post. I always wanted to visit Delhi. Did not get a chance till now.
I agree with you in -
" I am not a historian nor someone who fared very well in history in school, but over the years I have begun to love places and monuments"
Madhuri
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Thanks Buns. Merry X'mas to you too.
Julia
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Hiya Julia,
Loved this one! Have been to most that you mentioned here. Just Isha Khan's tomb & Raj ghat are two places I havnt visited.
Good show! Merry christmas!
Bunty.
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My Utterance,
Absolutely! Tommorow, shall we say? LOL
Julia
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Then, let's meet up at Lodhi Gardens.... lol
JK. Cheers and Regards.
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Sandeep,
Yea, that real good idea. Check them out.
My Utterance,
That little kid on the page lives in Pune and as this blog is dedicated to her, it says Pune. I live in Delhi - so far! Thanks for reading.
Lovestruck,
Julia
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Hi Keshu,
You are right that Delhi is a treasure trove of the old and the new. As an architect it must have some special value for you. Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar are my favourites too but Humayuns Tomb scores for it silence. It is really beautiful.
Perpetual crisis,
For India you have a fine name - they say in business that if you have learnt the art of Crisis management in India, then you know it all
Thanks both for visiting,
Julia
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Hey Julia
Were you in Delhi?? Are you still in Delhi?? Just curious?? Your profile shows you are located at Pune. So, I presume you were on a holiday here. If you are still around, I'd love to get in touch with you. I can see, you liked Delhi. The pics are beautiful. Cheers and Regards.
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