The capital of India, Delhi is a cosmopolitan city with a historic old Delhi and the modern New Delhi. From historical monuments to crowded shopping malls, from an extensive network of the modern metro system to Delhi University campus, Dilli has multiple personalities and is considered to be the city with a heart.
The narrow, winding lanes and bylanes of old Delhi are a testament to the former Mughal rule. Old Delhi houses one of the country’s oldest and busiest market – Chandni Chowk.
Take time to explore historical monuments such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb and Purana Qila if you want to explore the Mughal History. Delhi has famous temples scattered all across the city, a few noteworthy ones being the Akshardham Temple, the Lotus Temple (also known as the Bahai Temple), and the ISKON Temple.
Central Delhi is the concentration of the country’s political power, and the must-visit places here include the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Raisina Hill, the Rajpath, and the India Gate. The best place to visit this area is in the evening, as all the buildings are lit up, and you can see the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate shining brightly.
People in Delhi love to eat, and tourists will find themselves spoilt for choice between the multitude of dishes on offer at every corner of every street. From kebabs and tikkas to Chhole Bhature, Delhi is a melting pot of diverse cultures, and this fact is reflected in the culinary palette of the city.
Delhi is a shopper’s paradise with some colourful bazaars and upscale markets. The wide variety of markets in Delhi ensure that travellers go back home with double the luggage they came with!
Humayun’s Tomb
As the name suggests, Humayun’s tomb is the final resting place of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Located in the Nizamuddin East area of Delhi, it is the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent. This splendid piece of architecture was commissioned for construction by Humayun’s chief consort empress Bega Begum in the year 1569-70 and is one of the very few structures that used red sandstone on such a massive scale at that time. The design of Humayun’s tomb is a typical Mughal architecture with Persian influences and was conceptualised by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath. Owing to its magnificent design and illustrious history, Humayun’s Tomb was featured in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in the year 1993.
The architectural genius of Humayun’s tomb is hard to miss. This magnificent tomb sits in the middle of a huge, ornate Mughal Garden and its beauty is only enhanced during the winter months. Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, this mausoleum is also home to the remains of many other Mughals, including his wives, son and descendants of the later Emperor Shah Jahan, as well as numerous other subsequent Mughals.
Hauz Khas Village
An affluent neighbourhood in South Delhi, Hauz Khas has been well known since medieval times. A reservoir is circumferenced with beautiful buildings and a well-maintained park around. View of the fort during sunset and sunrise is beyond words. There are remnants of Islamic architecture roughly coloured by splotches of urban culture. The existing status of the village retains the old charm of the place along with an enhanced aesthetic appeal through the well-maintained green parks all around with walkways, and the urbane refurbished upmarket and quirky places of interest that have spruced up the old Mughal surviving structures. Hauz Khas Village is also known for its electric nightlife with countless cafes, bars and pubs. No matter whether you are a Delhiite of not, you eventually find yourself at the most happening place in the city.
The Hauz Khas complex is replete with a water tank, an Islamic educational institution, a mosque, a tomb and the semi-urbanized village of Hauz Khas. The compound is dotted with domed structures which are tombs of royalties during 14th to 16th century. The tomb of Feroz Shah Tughlak, a renowned ruler of the Tughlak dynasty is at the end of the road.
Hauz Khas has now turned into a posh locality with a number of restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques. The cafes around have impressive food to offer and the place adds bass and beats to its mood during the night. It has an infectious energy and you may catch a lot of live events hosted by several cafes during the weekends ranging from stand-up comedy to live jazz. It is one of the top places for the people of the metropolitan to head out for all their party woes. Be it cafes, pubs, restaurants or bars, the Hauz Khas Village is always the first choice.
Qutub Minar
The soaring and brave tower that allures tourists despite being destroyed by ravages of natural apocalypses several times, Qutub Minar is the tallest individual tower in the world and second tallest monument of Delhi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is located in Mehrauli and its construction was started in 1192 by Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, founder of Delhi Sultanate. Later, the tower was built by various rulers over the centuries. The sight of this glorious monument takes you back to the rich history of India.
The astounding architecture which includes immaculate carvings will leave you bewitched. Besides Qutub Minar, the Qutub Complex has many other ancient structures to offer you like Iron Pillar and the Alai Darwaza. As you roam around, the place will surely compel you to immerse deeper into India’s past and admire the vintage architecture. The architecture aficionados will never have enough of Qutub Minar. It has become a favourite picnic spot for Delhiites where they just relax with the Minar in the backdrop. Also, the opulent Qutub Festival which brags about the glory of the tower is a major attraction for tourists. So, live the illustrious history of India with Qutub Minar and other different monuments erected at one place.
Red Fort
The Red Fort is a historical fortification in the national capital of New Delhi. Located in the center of the city, it was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty. It was constructed by Shah Jahan in the year 1939 as a result of a capital shift from Agra to Delhi. This imposing piece of architecture derives its name from its impregnable red sandstone walls. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political center of the Mughal state and the setting for events critically impacting the region. Today, this monument is home to a number of museums that have an assortment of precious artifacts on display. Every year, the Indian Prime Minister unfurls the national flag here on the Independence Day.
Formerly known as Quila-e-Mubarak or the Blessed Fort, the Red Fort lies along the banks of the river Yamuna, whose waters fed the moats surrounding the fort. It was a part of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad, popularly known today as ‘Old Delhi’. The entire fort complex is said to represent the architectural creativity and brilliance of Mughal architecture. With so much history and heritage associated with it, the Red Fort is one of the most popular monuments in India and a major tourist attraction in Delhi. It became a UNESCO world heritage site in 2007. The Archaeological Survey of India is at present responsible for the security and preservation of this magnificent monument.
India Gate
The All India War Memorial, popularly known as the India Gate, is located along the Rajpath in New Delhi. The imposing structure of India Gate is an awe-inspiring sight and is often compared to the Arch de Triomphe in France, the Gateway of India in Mumbai and the Arch of Constantine in Rome. This 42-meter tall historical structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is one of the largest war memorials in the country. India Gate is also famous for hosting the Republic Day Parade every year. If you are keen to know more about World War I, you should head out to India Gate. It is also a treat for architecture lovers.
Dedicated to 82,000 Indian and British soldiers who died during the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, this monument has the names of 13,300 servicemen inscribed on its surface. The foundation stone of this structure was laid down in the year 1921, and the final building was unveiled in the year 1931 by the Indian Viceroy Lord Irwin. The premises of India Gate also houses the Amar Jawan Jyoti, which is a kindled structure right underneath the archway. Built in 1971 post the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Amar Jawan Jyoti symbolises the eternal, immortal soldiers of India. Owing to its rich historical background and astonishing architecture, India Gate has become one of the most popular picnic spots in the city.