Jama Masjid
This largest mosque in India, standing opposite
the Red Fort, was built by Shah Jehan between 1650 and 1656 as
the central place of worship in his newly established city of
Shahjehanahad. Five thousand workmen are said to have labored
for six years to construct it, at the cost of Rs. 10 lakhs. then.
The pulpit here has been carved out of a single block of marble.
The prayer hall with its three great domes of white marble with
strips of in laid black marble and surmounted by golden spires
is superb, Its tapering minarets made of red sand-stone with vertical
white marble strips rise to the height of 130 feet. One hundred
and thirty spiral lead to the top. In one corner of the hall is
installed the foot prints of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad. The mosque
can accommodate a congregation of 20,000 men. Its three gates
are reached by flights of steps.
Feroz Shah Kotla
Now famous for the cricket stadium, this
small fort is located near Delhi Gate. It was constructed by Feroz
Shah Tughlak in 1354 when he shifted his capital to this new city
called Ferozabad. The ruins of the city and the fort now have
a mosque and an Ashokan Pillar of 3rd Century BC. bearing an inscription
in Brahmi script.
Khooni Darwaja
Just west of Feroz Shah Kotla ruins, stands
the Khooni Darwajaor the Bloody Gate. Originally it was an entrance
Gate to Old Delhi. During Jahangir’s reign, the sons of
Abdul Rahim Khan i-Khana were beheaded here. It was only here
that the head of Prince Darashikoha was chopped off after his
defeat against Aurangzeb in the war of succession. Again in 1857
the three Sons of Bahadurshah Zafar were shot dead here by Captain
Hudson.
Raj Ghat, Shantivana
and Shaktisthal
These are respectively the cremation spots
of Mahatma Gandhi. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
the three great leaders of the country. Lying on the left bank
of the river Yamuna, these three places draw lots of devout Indians
to pay their regards to the architects of Modern India. This whole
area is a beautiful green stretch full of trees, flowering plants
and shrubs.
Purana Quila
This spectacular monument, standing on Mathura
Road about 3 km. south of Feroz Shah Kotla, built on a small hill
with massive stone walls and imposing gateways, by Shershah Sun,
the Afghan ruler who defeated Humayun during l54l Traditionally
it is supposed to be the site of ancient Khandavprastha and indraprastha.
the original cities of the Delhi region
Humayun’s Tomb
Not far from Purana Quila. on Mathura Road.
near Nizamuddin Aulia’s Dargah. is a grand mausoleum. built
in 1574 by Humayun’s widow Begum. This tomb marks the beginning
of’ a new architectural era of Mugal masterpieces in Agra
and Delhi; and a fine example of the synthesis of India and Persian
architectural styles. Built in red sandstones and white and black
marbles, with high arches it has been a burial ground for many
nobles of the Mugal Dynasty. The lastMugal Emperor was captured
here in 1857 by the British troops. Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian
architect, was its builder.
Dargah Nizamuddin
Aulia
It is a holy place of piligrimage for Muslims
though people of every faith pay their tribute here to he fourth
saint in line of the Chisti saints. The original shrine built
by Alauddin Khilzi, has been added to by many royal personages
and devotees since the death of the saint. in 1325 AD. Other royal
personages buried here are Amir Khusro, Mirza Ghalib, Jahanara
(daughter of Emperor Shahjahan). During the Urs festival, celebrated
twice each year to mark the death anniversaries of Saint Nizamuddin
and Amir Khusro, pilgrims from all over the Muslim world assemble
here.
Pragati Maidan
Near Purana Quila is the Pragati Maidan,
a vast exhibition complex and the site for many fairs. Appu Ghar
is additional attraction here for children. There are many auditoria,
cinema halk etc. and is a very important tourist centre of modern
Delhi.
Safdarjung Tomb
Nearby Safdarjung Airport stands this famous
tomb, built by Shuja-ud-daula, the Subedar of Oudh, in 1753-54
on the pattern of Humayun’s Tomb, as a tribute to his father
Safdarjung. This “last flicker of the lamp of Mughal architecture
in Delhi”, stands on a high structure in a sprawling garden.
The marble and red stone for the mausoleum were removed from the
tomb of Abdur Rahim-Khan-i-Khana - the famous Hindi poet and courtier
of Akbar’s time.
The Qutab Minar
The tallest free-standing stone tower of
victory in the world, the Qutab Minar is 234 feet high. Qutb-ud-din
Aihak. the first Slave Sultan, laid its foundation in 1199. He
died only when the first story was completed. It was completed
by his successor Iltutmish. It is made of red stone and marble.
Its five stories have projecting balconies. It was originally
attached to Quwwat-ul-Islam (The Might of Islam) Mosque for the
muezzin to call the faithful to the prayer. The muezzin had to
climb 376 steps every lime. Aibak began building it in in 1192
and completed in 1198 by using the stones of the 27 Hindu and
Jam Temples demolished there. The famous ALAI DARWAZA was added
to in 1300 by Ala-ud-din. Now the entry is lest restricted.
Iron Pillar
In the Qutub complex stands this ancient
monument. It is a wonderful solid iron shaft, 24 feet high and
standing rust free for more than 15 centuries in rains, winds
and the sun. The Pillar’s Brahmi inscription tells us that
it was erected by the Hindu King Chandra to commemorate his victories
over enemy hordes of Vahliks. Some people erroneously ascribe
it to the Tomar King Anangpal. Perhaps it was brought by Anangpal
here.
Tughlakabad
East of Qutub Minar, on Mehrauli Badarpur
Road, lie the massive ruins of a fort built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlak
in 1321-25. The ruins overshadow the entire landscape. On the
opposite side stands the citadel of Adilabad. The ruins of the
third city of Delhi are extant there, along with the tomb of Ghiyas
ud-din Tughlak.
Lodhi Gardens
Laid by the Sayyids and Lodhis, these lush
green gardens are the popular picnic spot for the Delhities. The
Tombs of Muhammad Shah and SikanderLodhi lie here.
India Gate
This great monument of modern time is 42
meter high with stone arch. It has the names of 90,000 Indian
Soldiers inscribed, who died in the First World War. Below, in
the centre of the arch way burns the Amar Jawan Jyoti, in the
memory of unknown Indian soldiers, who died in various battles
fighting for the British Raj.
Rashtrapati Bhawan
Opposite India Gate. at the other end of
the Raj Path, stands the magnificent Residence of the President
of India on Raisina Hill. This Palatial building was designed
by Edward Lutycns arid Herbert Baker in 1929.
Parliament house
Parliament House or the Sansad Bhawan stands
near the President’s House. It is a Circular Colonnaded
edifice which was completed in 1927. It has two Chambers: The
Rajya Sahha or the Upper House and the Lok Sahha or the Lower
House.
Jantar Mantar
This elaborate abservatory was built in
1725 by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur, a noted scholar
of mathematics and astronomy himself. The huge structures and
various yantras ol the observatory are a sure sign of its builder’s
great astronomical prowess.
Lakshmi Narain Temple
It is a modern Hindu Temple constructed
by the Birlas in 1938. The temple houses the life size images
of Narain (Lord Vishnu) and his consort Lakshmi, the goddess of
wealth. There are images of other gods and goddesses as well.
Baha’i House of Worship (The Lotus Temple)
Near Nehru Place is situated this architectural building with
a distinctive design amidst sprawling lawns and large placid pools.
This temple, shaped like a huge lotus flower has 27 petals made
of white concrete and clad in white Greek marble panels. Here
people of all faith are welcome to visit the temple and to pray
and meditate there in total silence. The temple is closed on Mondays
for visitors. Its construction began in 1980 and was completed
in 1986. This magnificent structure is nine sided. Nine is the
highest digit and symbolizes comprehensiveness, oneness and unity.
Accordingly there are 9 pools and 27 petals (2÷7=9, by
numerological consideration).
Other Places of Entertainment
Museums & Art
Galleries
The National Museum on Janpath just south-west
of India Gate presents a splendid collection of ancient and medieval
art objects. Near India Gate is the National Gallery of Modern
Arts, a permanent collection of rare paintings and sculptures.
The Rail Museum in Chanakyapuri is of great interest, as it houses
many vintage locomotive engines.
The other museums include the Nehru Memorial Museum and Planetarium
at Teen Moorti Indira Smriti at 1, Safdarjung Road; the National
Museum of Natural History near Mandi House; the Dolls Museum on
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg near Feroze Shah Kotla; National Philaletic
Museum of Dak Tar Bhawan on Parliament Street, near Pate! Chowk;
and Ti bet House Museum on Lodi Road. The various Art Galleries
in the city hold exhibitions all the year round.. The best season
to visit these places being between Nov. to March.
