New Delhi: Delhi is one of the most historically-rich cities in India. The lanes and by-lanes, the streets and roads of the city scream of some incidents in the ancient times. Delhi has been a prominent place since the time of the Hindu epic Mahabharata and after the rise of the Delhi Sultanate, the place has played a crucial role in shaping the journey of India.
It also became the capital of the Mughal Empire since the time of Shah Jahan and also during the time of the British Empire in India. As we all know, it remained the capital even after India gained Independence. Since Delhi is a rich in heritage, in this article, we will take a look at six famous historical places in the national capital.
Six famous historical places in Delhi
Red Fort
The Red Fort is a Mughal fort and was the main residence of the Mughal emperors. It was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639 after he decided to relocate the capital of the empire from Agra to Delhi. Originally adorned in red and white, the fort’s design is attributed to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the architect behind the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort is the peak of Mughal architecture during the reign of Shah Jahan, blending Persian palace influences with indigenous Indian architectural traditions. Every year on Independence Day, the Prime Minister ceremonially raises the Tricolour flag at its main gate and delivers a nationally broadcast address from its ramparts.
Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun’s tomb is the tomb of the second Mughal Emperor Humayun. His first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum commissioned it. The tomb was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son, Sayyid Muhammad. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and also the first structure to use red sandstone extensively. In 1993, the tomb became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in the country was constructed by Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656. It is located in Old Delhi, which was then the Mughal capital of Shahjahanabad and was the imperial mosque of the Mughal emperors till 1857. It is considered a symbolic gesture of Islamic power across India. It remains in active use, and is one of most iconic sites in Delhi.
Qutb Minar
The Qutb Minar is a minaret and victory tower in the Qutb complex, It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was mostly built between 1199 and 1220. It has 399 steps, and is one of the most-frequented heritage spots in the city. Its construction was initiated by Qutab-ud-din Aibak and his successors continued the construction, and, in 1368, Firuz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the top parts and added a cupola.
Agrasen Ki Baoli
Agrasen Ki Baoli near Delhi’s Connaught Place is a historical stepwell which is 60-meter long and 15-meter wide. The monument is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958. While there is a lack of accurate historical record about who built it, it is believed that members of the Aggarwal community initially built it in the name of Agrasen, their ancestor. In the 14th century, the present architecture was possibly rebuilt during the Tughlaq or Lodi period of the Delhi Sultanate.
India Gate
The India Gate is a war memorial located near the Kartavya path. It is a memorial to 74,187 soldiers of the Indian Army who died between 1914 and 1921 in World War I. The names of 13,300 servicemen including some soldiers and officers from the UK are inscribed on the gate. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed it and the structure is often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the Gateway of India in Mumbai. It has a structure called Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of the Immortal Soldier), which since 1971 has served as India’s tomb of the unknown soldier.
Delhi has been a prominent place since the time of the Hindu epic Mahabharata and after the rise of the Delhi Sultanate, the place has played a crucial role in shaping the journey of India. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
