Travel Online Delhi :: Places to See
Places to See
Qutab
Minar Delhi’s landmark, 73 mtr. tall victory tower was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak,the first Muslim ruler in 1193 but could finish only the 1st storey of sand stones. Iltutmish succeeding him added 2nd & 3rd floor in sand stone and later in 1368 Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed 4th & 5th storey in both sand stone and marble.
It has some special features- at its root the radius is being 14.40 m, which gradually reduced at its top to 2.44 m. In Kupee language it has been inscribed on Kutub that- The Tower was erected to cast the shadow of God over both East and West. Aayaat from Quran is also inscribed. At the foot of the Minar a Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque was built in 1197. However, the earthquake of 1803 destroyed it, in 1829 British Major Robert Smith re-built the tomb. Later the tomb was brought down from the Minar and reset it in the garden beside.
Alai Minar When Ala-ud-din made his additions to the mosque, he also conceived a far more ambitious construction programme. He would build a second tower of victory, exactly like the Qutab Minar, except it would be twice as high! When he died the tower had reached 27m and no one was willing to continue his over ambitious project. The uncompleted tower stands to the north of the Qutab Minar and the mosque. Iron Pillar This seven metre high pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque and has been there since long before the mosque's construction. A six line Sanskrit line indicates that it was initially erected outside a Vishnu Temple, possibly in Bihar. It was raised in memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta Vikramaditya who ruled from 375 to 413.
Humayun’s
Tomb 1564-1572 built by Haji Begum, the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun's, nine years after his death and took eight years to complete. It is designed by the Persian architect Misak Mirza Ghiyaz. Octagonal in shape, raised on a plinth, with double domes, high arches, laid in the centre of a large walled enclosure, the monument is an imposing structure. A baradari (pavilion) occupies the centre of the eastern wall and a hamam (bath chamber) the centre of northern wall.
Approached from four sides by paved stone paths which divide the garden into four squares, the red sandstones and white marble tomb is regarded as an example of an early Mughal architecture-synthesis of Persian and Indian architecture and an outstanding landmark in the development of the later Mughal style and a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra. The tomb has the distinction of having several of the Mughal rulers buried here. Besides Haji Begum herself, Hamida Begum (Akbar's mother), Dara Shikoh (Shah Jahan's son), Bahadur Shah II (the last Mughal Emperor) and many others. The garden at this tomb has been laid out in the Persian style of a Chahr Bagh, with paved stone avenues and narrow water channels. It is still maintained in its original grandeur.
Lotus
TempleCompleted in 1986, the Bahai temple is set amidst pools and gardens is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in south Delhi. The structure is in lotus shape so it often called the lotus temple.and adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. The view of the temple is very spectacular just before dusk when the temple is flood lit.
India Gate
Sir Edwin Lutyens designed this war memorial to 90,000 Indian soldiers who died on the North-west Frontiers during World War I. The Duke of Connaught laid the foundation in 1921 and was completed in 10 years. The names of both British and Indian soldiers killed are engraved on it. Below this 42mtr.arch burns a flame beside an inverted rifle and a helmet and a sentry ceremonially guards the site.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The house that houses the President of India and the house that boasts of having welcomed the most powerful men in history. The Rashtrapati Bhavan was designed by Edwin Lutyens and built in 1931, to be the central point of the British power in Delhi. Originally called the Viceroy's House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan covers an area of 4.5 acres of land. It has 340 rooms, 37 salons, 74 lobbies and loggias, 18 staircases and 37 fountains.
The most magnificent room in the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the Durbar Hall, which lies directly beneath the main dome. All important Indian State and Official ceremonies are held here. To the west, is the famous and beautifully landscaped Mughal Gardens, designed after the terraced gardens the Mughals built in Kashmir. The garden is famous as the 'Butterfly Garden' for the numerous butterflies that visit the varied flowers. The garden is open to the public in February.
Raj Ghat
The cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of Nation is well kept in undulating garden and a broad footpath. Every year on his death anniversary (30 January) and Birth anniversary special functions are organized and thousands come to celebrates.
Red
FortAnother marvel of architecture is the Red Fort and it could perhaps be singled out as yet another monument, which should not escape the tourist's eyes. Known as Lal Qila (lal means red and qila means fort). It is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon.
It is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 Kilometers in circumference and is built of Red Sandstone. It was built by Emperor Shah Jehan, in 1638 A.D. Enclosed in this glorious Fort is Diwan-i-am, the hall meant for public audiences; Diwan-i-Khas, where private audiences were granted; Rang Mahal, the water cooled apartment of the royal ladies; the Pearl Mosque, a lovely, ornate dream in white marble.
The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and the fort was completed in 1648, nine years after the king shifted to this city. Besides this, is the Rang Mahal, the water-cooled apartment for the royal ladies. In the basement of the fort is a market where several traditional Indian goods can be purchased at nominal rates. Another attraction is the Light and Sound Show held in the evenings. The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate, which faces the famed Chandni Chowk market. The Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from this age old Fort, on the Independence Day, 15TH August.
Jama Masjid
The largest mosque in India was built by Shah Jehan in 1644-1658. The three black & white marble domes covering the prayer hall can accommodate 20,000 people. Inside prayer hall there is a pulpit carved on one piece marble and one of the pillars enclosing corridors have old world map engraved. One of the corner room inhouse the foot prints of Prophet Hazrat Mohammed.
