No other city in India can give a sneak peak of the glorious past of the country as Delhi can. This Historical city has a story to tell to every tourist who comes from abroad to know about India. The architectural monuments, palaces and the forts give an insight of rich Indian culture and history, which helps the people to know why the country is famous and is one of the most preferred destinations for most of the tourists abroad.
Indian Mythology and Delhi have a strong association with each other. In the prehistoric period, the city was also known as Indraprastha, the place where Pandavas used to reside. In the later period, it was Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor who built a city named Shahjahanabad that is today known by the name of Old Delhi. A bevy of foreign tourists regularly arrive here in large numbers every year to unlock the hidden past of the bygone era.
The majority of the historical master pieces in Delhi find their place in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites thus making them must see places on a tour of the capital city. You can find the name of some of the important monuments in the paragraph given below:
Qutub Minar: This 73 meter high tower was constructed in the year 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak. This five storey tower is made up of red sandstone and marble. Though the reason behind the construction of this tall tower is not known, but it is said, that it was constructed in order to call the Muslims for their prayer. The construction of the tower was completed by Illtutmish, the son of Qutab-ud-din Aibak. Situated in Mehrauli, the park is open all days in a week and charges an entry fee of Rs 250 for the international tourists. Every year many cultural programs are held here on the eve of Independence Day or any patriotic events.
Jantar Mantar: It is an observatory that was built by Maharaja Jai Singh. One can find the other observatories in places like Mathura, Varanasi and Ujjain. Since it was difficult to take measurements with the help of small instruments, the observatory was helpful in taking the measurements. Due to the tall buildings that have been constructed today around Jantar Mantar, it is not possible to take accurate observations. It is open throughout the week.
Red Fort: Also known as Lal Qila this 33 meter describes the greatness of the Mughal and was constructed in the year 1638. One of the main purposes of constructing this giant monument was to keep the invaders away from entering the city. The other places of attraction are the white marble Hall of Private Audiences, Pearl Mosque and Palace of Color. Another important attraction is the lighting show that is held every evening.
India Gate: Similar to the architecture of Arc-de-Triomphe, India Gate was constructed to commemorate the sacrifice that Indian soldiers made in fighting with the British during the First World War. Names of all the 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan war of 1919 are encrypted in the monument. In order to have the best view you should always visit the fort at the evenings when it is illuminated with flood lights. It is also the hot spot for picnics during winters.
Martin Wynn
