Solo Explorer: September 2020

India Gate, New Delhi

New Delhi, India (Bharat)

Delhi is officially known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT): A city and a union territory of India comprising New Delhi, the capital of India since 1912. It is bordered by the state of Haryana on North, West & south and Uttar Pradesh bordered to the east. The NCT covers an area of 1,484 Km²(573 Mi²). Delhi's urban area now extends the boundaries and include the neighboring cities of Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon & Noida in an area called the National Capital Region (NCR) and had an estimated 2016 population of over 26 million people, making it the world's second-largest urban area according to the United Nations.

Delhi is of great historical significance as an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub of India. Since 6^th Century BC continuously inhabiting in Delhi most of its history serves as a capital of various kingdoms & empires. The Pandavas, The Delhi Sultanate & the Mughal Empire made the most impact on Delhi’s history. The city has been captured, Ransacked & rebuilt several times in history, particularly during the medieval period. Modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region. For many centuries, Delhi has been a dominant trading and commercial center in Northern India.

There are lots of myths about the name of Delhi. A Dhillu (Dilu) king built his capital at this location in 50 BCE then the city was named as his name. Another legend holds that the name of the city is based on the Hindi/Prakrit word "Dhili" (loose) and that it was used by the Tomaras to refer to the city because the iron pillars of Delhi had a weak foundation and had to be moved. According to Panjab Notes, the name of the city at the times of King Prithviraj was Dilpat and that "Dilpat"and "Dilli" are probably derived from the old Hindi word "Dil" (eminence). Some archaeological specialists describe that "Dilli" later became "Dihli" then Dehli.

History of Delhi

The city has been continuously inhabitated since 6^thBCE. The city is believed to be the site of Indraprastha known as the legendary capital of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata. According to the Mahabharata, this land was initially a huge mass of forests called 'Khandavaprastha' which was burnt down to build the city of Indraprastha. The earliest architectural relics date back to the Maurya period (300 BCE). As of the recent inscriptions of the Mauryan Emperor, King Ashoka (273 - 235 BCE) was discovered near Srinivaspuri. Remains of several major cities can be found in Delhi. The first of these were in the southern part of present-day Delhi.

A King 'Anang Pal' of the Tomara dynasty founded the city of Lat Kot in the 8th Century CE. Prithviraj Chauhan conquered Lal Kot in the 12^th Century and renamed it as Qila Rai Pithora. The Muhammad Ghori beated king Prithviraj Chauhan in the late 12^th Century and then he crumbled native Hindu resistance and created newfound dominance of foreign Turkic Muslim dynasties in North India till the 16th century.

In the 13th Century, Qutb-ud-din assumed control of Ghori's Indian possessions and laid the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mamluk Dynasty. He began construction of the Qutb Minar & Quwwat-al-Islam (Might of Islam) mosque which is the earliest extended mosque in India. It was his successor, Iltutmish, who consolidated the Turkic conquest of northern India. Razia Sultan,the daughter of Iltutmish, succeeded him as the Sultan of Delhi. She was the first and the only woman to rule over Delhi. Then Delhi Sultanate planned to increase the borders on how they could manage to get some control over southern and western part of India. Then they losed the same proportion of northern part, This battle run till 16th century. Finally the Delhi sultanate recovered after many battles with Punjab and the Gangetic plain to achieve domination over Northern India once again. However, the recovery was short-lived and the sultanates were destroyed in 1526 by Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty.

Babur was a descendant of Genghis Khan & Timur from the Fergana Valley in modern day Uzbekistan. In 1526, he invaded India and defeated the last Lodhi sultan in the First Battle of Panipat and founded the Mughal Empire that ruled from Delhi and Agra. Then Mughal ruled Delhi & Agra till next 3 centuries.

After the death of Aurangzeb: The Mughal Empire's influence declined rapidly as the Hindu Maratha Empire from Deccan plateau. In 1737, Maratha has beaten Mughal in the First Battle of Delhi. Then several invaders came to finally conquer the last Mughal Emperor Muhamad Shah who signed a treaty of a protector of the Mughal throne in Delhi. Then again several battles began with Afghan rulers in 1758 where Marathas occupied Delhi again from Afgan rulers. Then in 1783: Sikhs under Baghel Singh captured Delhi & Red Fort. In 1803, during the Second Anglo-Maratha war, the forces of British East India Company defeated the Maratha forces & got the control of Delhi to Britishes.

In 1911, it was announced that the capital of British-held territories in India was to be transferred from Calcutta to Delhi. The name "New Delhi" was given in 1927 and the new capital was inaugurated on 13 February 1931. Finally, India Got Independence on 15^th August 1947.

Climate

Delhi features a dry-winter Humid subtropical climate bordering a hot semi-arid. The warm season lasts from April to 15^th of July with an average daily high temperature rising above 39 °C (102 °F). With an average high temperature of 44 °C (104 °F) and low temperature of 28 °C (82 °F). The cold season lasts from November to March with an average daily high temperature below 20 °C (68 °F) alongside an average low temperature of 2 °C (36 °F) and high by 14 °C (57 °F). In early March, the wind direction changes from northwesterly to southwesterly. From April to October the weather is hot. The monsoon arrives at the end of June along with an increase in humidity. The brief, mild winter starts in late November which peaks in January and heavy fog also occurs.

Temperatures in Delhi usually range from 2 to 47 °C (35.6 to 116.6 °F) with the lowest and highest temperatures ever recorded being −2.2 and 48.4 °C (28.0 and 119.1 °F) respectively. The annual mean temperature is 25 °C (77 °F). Monthly mean temperature ranges from 13 to 32 °C (55 to 90 °F). The highest temperature recorded in July was 45 °C (113 °F) in 1931. The average annual rainfall is approximately 886 mm and most of which falls during the monsoon in July and August.

Tourism In Delhi

Delhi has several Tourism locations & it had become 28th most visited city in 2015. Delhi surrounded by many Historical Site Specially UNESCO World heritage site, such as Humayun's Tomb, Red Fort & Qutb Complex. Another prominent landmark of Delhi is the India Gate, which was erected in 1931 to the war memorial to soldiers of the British Indian Army who died during the First World War. Delhi has several famous places of worship for various religions. And Delhi hosts the World’s largest Hindu Temple complex of Akshardham. Delhi is also a hub of shopping for everyone.

Brief Information about Some Historical & Beautiful places your eyes can have a look onto

Ø Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

This is an important worship place for Sikh’s religion and is located nearby Connaught Place. This place was erected in the 18th Century. This Complex has a magnificent pool: The Sarovar: at the heart of this large complex & gold dome and flagpole.

Ø The Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is a magnificent Bahá'í House of Worship also known as the Lotus Temple due to its nine sides architectural design of the Lotus Flower and the stunning central dome. This is an architectural masterpiece constructed by white concrete and marble. The entire structure looks as delicate as the lotus flower which it resembles. Rising from the surroundings, Nine pools of water: It almost appears as if it might burst to bloom at any moment. This temple was built in 1986 and soon it became a very famous place for all travellers.

Ø India Gate

Looking a little like the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the equally impressive India Gate is a magnificent stone arch that was built as a memorial for Indian soldiers who got killed in World War Ι. An eternal flame burns beneath the massive structure and its walls are inscribed with the names of more than 90,000 soldiers who died in the conflict.

Ø Jama Masjid

This Jama Masjid is located nearby Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi. The Jama Masjid is one of India's largest mosques and was the final architectural feat of Shah Jahan that got completed in 1658. This beautiful structure features three gateways, four-angled towers, and two 40-meter-high minarets that were built using red sandstone and white marble and attractively alternated in vertical stripes.

Ø Humayun's Tomb

The Humayun's Tomb & large square garden is a lofty mausoleum constructed by white marble and red sandstone. It was designed as a prototype of the Taj Mahal in Agra and is an excellent example of Mughal architecture built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum as a memorial to her husband by Humayun's senior widow, The tomb is surrounded by lush formal gardens and other tombs, including Humayun's barber and the Tomb of Isa Khan (the architect of the Taj Mahal) is a fine example of Lodi architecture and octagonal in shape.

Ø Akshardham Hindu Temple

Although it got recently completed (and opened in 2007). This splendid Hindu Akshardham temple looks like as if it’s centuries old. Festooned with intricate and elaborate carvings, this magnificent building attracts countless visitors for its majestic beauty. Highlights include the stunning 43-meter-high main monument with it’s rich carvings of animals, plants, gods, dancers, and musicians: All made from pink sandstone and marble. Of particular note are the 234 ornate pillars supporting its nine domes as well as a stunning stone tribute to elephants, the centerpiece of which is a massive 3,000-ton statue of one of these beasts.

Other features of interest include a theater showing a movie tracing the building's construction: A fun 15-minute boat ride depicting India's rich history and diverse culture and the spectacular Yagnapurush Kund, A large musical fountain that is a particular treat that lits up at night.

Ø Purana Qila (The Old Fort)

Although often overlooked as most tourists head straight for the more famous Red Fort, Purana Qila (Old Fort) is well-worth squeezing. Boasting a past that stretches back some 2,500 years: Much of the current impressive edifice dates back to the 1500s. Although evidence of earlier structures dating back to the 3^rdcentury has been discovered. The present structure played an important role in the region's affairs for centuries and was particularly influenced by the Muslim religion as evidenced by the buildings such as the Qila-i-Kuna Mosque, a single-dome place of worship erected in 1541.

Ø The Jantar Mantar Observatory

Near Connaught Place, one of New Delhi's largest and best-known business districts: Jantar Mantar is one of the five astronomical observatories constructed by Maharajah Jai Singh I in 1725. Designed to enable occupants to observe the movements of the sun, moon and planets, This well-preserved historic site also boasts several other old instruments on display that were once used to track the course of heavenly bodies and predict eclipses.

Ø The Hauz Khas Complex

The Hauz Khas Complex is a fascinating urban village, a part of little south of New Delhi. In addition to its numerous ancient stone monuments, the entire village is dotted with domed tombs of minor Muslim royalty who were laid to rest here from the 14th to 16th centuries. Other highlights include the remnants of an ancient college and the tomb of Firoz Shah who ruled Delhi in the 14th century as well as Ki Masjid: A fine mosque built in Lodi style.

Things To Do In New Delhi

Ø Walk around India Gate - India is a monument to convey tribute to Indian war Heroes which is a very famous landmark in New Delhi. This is an ideal place to enjoy the evening when you are in New Delhi. And also with evenings lights India Gate offering mesmerizing views to enjoy the evening to all visitors.

Ø Night Out - If you are a party lover then New Delhi is one of the greatest locations for the parties and clubbing. New Delhi has a lot of night clubs and pubs to enjoy night time with quality music & delicious food.

Ø Shopping in New Delhi - In New Delhi, you can find so many shopping complexes. You can find all the branded clothes & all kinds of luxurious goods in all shopping malls.

Ø Enjoying Junk Food - In New Delhi, you can see so many Street food outlets when you are here. So don't forget to enjoy Indian junk food in New Delhi especially Panipuri (Golgappa).

Ø Historical Site Seen - New Delhi is hosting lots of historical monuments when you are visiting New Delhi. So don't forget to visit some historical monuments to see the ancient Indian Architectural Design & Indian culture.

Places To See In New Delhi

· Agrasen ki Baoli

· Akshardham Hindu Temple

· Feroz Shah Kotla

· Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

· Humayun's Tomb

· India Gate

· ISKCON Temple

· Jama Masjid

· Jantar Mantar

· Lodhi Garden

· National Museum