The
history of Delhi is as interesting and as grand as the city itself. It
was not since its inception that Delhi got the status of a capital city.
However, because of its strategic location, it always counted amongst
the major and important cities. It is believed that the city was first
formed around 1450 BC, at the site of the Old Fort, as the royal
fortress of Indraprastha, the capital of Pandavas. Thereafter was
formed, the city of Lal Kot or Quila Rai Pithora in the year 1060 AD, by
Rajput Tomaras. Sited at the Qutub Minar-Mehrauli complex, it was
further expanded by Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan. The history of Delhi takes us further to the city of Siri built in 1304 AD, by Alauddin Khilji near Hauz Khas and Gulmohar Park. In 1320s, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq built the city of Tughlaqabad near Qutab Minar complex. The rulers of Tughlaq dynasty kept on building their empire in Delhi by further founding Jahanpanah and Ferozabad, in the 14th century. After Tughlaqs, came Humayun who constructed Dilli Sher Shahi (Shergarh), around the Old Fort area, in 1530s. The history of Delhi continued with the city of Shahjahanabad that was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid 17th century, still known as the Old Delhi.
The city was also the focal point for the first war of independence in 1857. New Delhi history and origin dates back to the 1920s, after it was decided to shift the seat of power from Calcutta to Delhi in Delhi Durbar of 1911. The entire area of Connaught Place and Rajpath came into existence then only. Each and every era of Delhi has left reminders of their existence. From the 3 gates of Quila Rai Pithora to the ruins of Tughlaqabad to the Old fort of Shahjahanabad, we are reminded of the history of Delhi through the various remains and monuments that stand proudly on its soil.
