Delhi is a wonderful city with a fascinating history and a promising future. It’s a city of contrasts, where the old and the new exist simultaneously. It is the place where important decisions are made and what direction this nation of a billion people should take is discussed everyday. Despite having only a fraction of the area of Australia, it has a population comparable to that vast continent-size country. In terms of money, it’s one of the richest cities in India. However, unlike many other big cities, it has managed to preserve its heritage while keeping in pace with the rest of the world.
Map of Delhi
History of Delhi
There is archaeological evidence to suggest people were inhabiting in Delhi as long ago as third millennium BC. There are signs of urban dwellings going back to 6th century BC. From 12th century to until the arrival of the British in 17th century, it was one of the most powerful cities in the world. The English moved the capital to Calcutta (Kolkata). They later changed the capital to Delhi and since then it’s remained the seat of most powerful men and women in South Asia.
Best time to visit Delhi
Delhi is one of the few places where temperatures fluctuate from over 40C in the summers to a little over 0C in the winters. Therefore it’s advisable to visit the city when it’s neither burning or freezing. September, November, February and March are the best months to come to the city.
There are tons of places to visit when you are in New Delhi depending on what you want to do. For instance, the area around Jama Masjid is popular among food-junkies, while those interested in historic sites don’t miss the Lal Qila and Connaught Place is the Delhi’s equivalent of Times Square. Here are some of the places tourists generally visit:
(a) Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar
This World Heritage building is the most popular tourist destination in India, attracting over three million visitors a year. The “Minar” (Arabic for “Tower”) is a seven storey tower built more than 800 years ago in twelfth century AD to celebrate Mohammed Ghori’s victory over Rajputs. Back then it was only one-storey tall. More storeys were added to the original structure by other rulers in ensuing years.
(b) Jantar Mantar
Jantar mantar, Delhi
This structure stands in defiance of a common misconception that science is exclusively a European invention. Built in first half of the 18th century this vast sprawl of buildings is an astronomical observatory.
Named after Duke of Connaught, this city centre was constructed back in the late 1930s. It is one of the most important commercial districts in the city and an upmarket area for shopper where they can virtually find anything.
Then there is Chandni Chownk which offers a glimpse into what the old city was like. And there are thousands of other places. We can’t list all of them here, but you can certainly find more information on here on places here to visit Delhi. It is the official website of the Government of Delhi which caters to tourists wishing to visit this wonderful city.
India is a definite dream destination for many travellers and was mine growing up. Back in 2017, I visited for the first time and promised myself I’d visit many more times. There are many reasons I love India, the vibrant colours, welcoming people, varieties of culture, architecture and of course the food. India will never grow old on me, and for the rest of my life. I’m sure I will have an ever-blossoming love affair with the remarkable country. However, I would like to mention that even though India has some incredible reasons to travel, one in particular, hinders a lot of travellers. That it’ is not a safe country for solo female travellers. I disagree, just like many countries, of course, you have to be wary of your surroundings while travelling in India. However, not everyone is evil or has bad intent.
If you’re travelling around Northern India, it’s most likely you’ll arrive in the capital New Delhi. If not pass through it. Delhi is a city which is so cosmopolitan yet has some old charms in its heart and on its perimeters. From my experience, I feel it’s a great starting point for solo female travellers to visit. Especially as there is so many crowds filled destinations it’s easier to protect yourself from harassment. Based on my experience, I would like to recommend the top 5 Delhi Sites for Solo Female Travellers:
Red Fort
The Red Fort is one of the Delhi Sites for Solo Female Travellers. It’s one of the main areas to visit situated in Chandni Chowk. An impressive large fort which was built around the 17th century by Shan Jahan. To date, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you’ll see exactly why when visiting. On the outside, before you enter, there’s lots of greenery and ques for tickets. It’s often the case; you’ll be in a smaller queue as there is a different booth for the foreigners. After some time waiting, you’ll enter the fort. This site attracts many international and domestic tourists. Don’t be surprised if you find many families, couples or individuals trying to approach you for a photograph. If this is the case and you don’t feel open to it, politely decline, and they will leave. What is great for solo female travellers at the Red Fort is that there’s a lot of armed guards who you can report any unwelcome incidents too. They are there to help.
Humayun’s Tomb
Another destination I’d recommend visiting is Humayun’s tomb in New Delhi. Any time of day is beautiful to visit, however, if you want to avoid people I’d recommend visiting here early morning. It’s in the centre of everything and easy to reach by tuk-tuk. This monument is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and worth visiting! When I visit, I love the gardens surrounding the tomb. Even though the monument is magnificent in itself, it’s the exterior which fascinates me. Bring a book and sit, relax in the tranquil environment around the tomb. You don’t feel like you’re in the noisy capital!
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Not just any temple, this is a Sikh temple located in Delhi near Connaught Place! As long as you cover your head and remove your shoes, you may enter. This temple-like many is a sacred and special place. For me, I’d say it’s a must-visit and a safe destination too. Once you go inside be mesmerised by the interior, cleanliness and the community. Inside there is also a community kitchen where they provide a free meal.
Jama Masjid
Talking about diversity, it’s worth visiting Jama Masjid a mosque in old Delhi. Likewise the second largest mosque in India! It’s built, so it’s facing Mecca and constructed in the 16th century. The architecture of this mosque is simply stunning, being constructed of red sand and white stone marble. While waiting to enter, you’ll be made to pay extra if you have a camera. Likewise, you will have to wear a gown to cover up out of respect. Out of many of the sacred sites in Delhi, this is probably the place I felt the most at ease in.
Qutub Minar
A large tower of 73 metres and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is worth visiting and a safe destination. Initially, it was constructed in 1193 Qutab-ud-din Aibak. This site is open seven days a week and fun to walk around its ruins. When I walked around this site, I had goosebumps, sensations all over my body I was in a historic place!
There are many more Delhi sites for Solo Female travellers. However, these sites I’ve visited I felt incredibly safe as a female exploring. What I’d like to mention, is if you encounter any trouble or harassment, there are guards on site. Whom you can report to. Generally, you shouldn’t as these are safe and well visited by many travellers.
Alex is from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. She’s been travelling the world on and off since the age of seventeen. Currently, on a pit stop operating from Nepal. More about her travels on her website https://extractsofalex.com.
In a country of more than a billion people where close to 70% people are Hindus and nearly 28% adhere to Islam, the Bahá’í form only a small community, less than five million. Despite their small numbers, the followers of this one of the newest religions in the world have built one of the largest temples in the world which due to its magnificent architectural design has compelled many to term it as “the Taj [Mahal] of modern India.” Officially known as the Bahai House of Worship, this structure in New Delhi is more famous as the Lotus Temple or the Bahai Temple, because of its partly-opened Lotus shaped praying hall. It’s one of the six major Bahai houses of worship in the world. The other five are in Apia, Western Samoa; Sydney, Australia; Kampala, Uganda; Panama City, Panama; Frankfurt, Germany and Wilmette, USA.
Architecture of the Lotus Temple
Award Winning Canadian architect Arthur Erickson has described the architecture of the Lotus Temple as “one of the most remarkable achievements of our time, proving that the drive and vision of spirit can achieve miracles.” The temple is so excellently designed that it’s discernible at a distance of more than a kilometre at night. The 27-petal, half-opened lotus is surrounded by delicately kept lawns and nine pools. The 40 m tall temple was opened to worshippers on 24 December 1986. Since then it has attracted over 70 million people. Currently an estimated 10,000 people visit the temple everyday. The base of the lotus spans approximately 70 m and the hall inside can accommodate over 1,300 people.
The Bahai Religion
Bahai Symbol
One of the most remarkable things about the temple is that although it’s been made by the Bahá’í community, the temple is open to worshippers from all over the world irrespective of their religion, nationality, ethnicity or colour. A 19th century Iranian spiritual leader named Bahá’u’lláh is the founder of the faith which recognises Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed and now Bahá’u’lláh as one of the messengers of god. Bahá’u’lláh took traditions from Abrahamic religions and combined them with Eastern religions to create this new faith. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá’ís in the world, of whom 3.6 million live in Asia. The Bahá’ís call theirs a global religion. The core believes are: monotheism, oneness of religions and oneness of mankind.
Bahaullah, the founder of Bahai Religion
Portrait of ‘Abdul-Baha taken in Paris, France, October 1911
Bahá’u’lláh was born in Iran in 1817. As a young man he was deeply impressed by a new religious movement in Iran known as Bábism. The moment didn’t differentiate between humans as regarded them all as a big family. Bahá’u’lláh deeply believed in it, declared himself a prophet and that that the time had come for the humans to unite. He was exiled for his beliefs. He went to Palestine where he died at the age of 74.
In the 21st century the temple serves as much a place of worship as a famous tourist destination. According to some estimates it’s one of the most visited buildings in the world. In 2002, more people flocked at the Lotus Temple during that year than at any other building excluding the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal.
Lotus Temple Address:
Bahá’í House of Worship Bahapur, Kalkaji New Delhi – 110019
Lotus Temple Visiting Hours
Winter: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Summer: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
As you enter the narrow maze of lanes leading to Nizamuddin Dargah, it is difficult to believe that this is one of the country’s most sacred Sufi shrines. The lanes of Nizamiddin are packed with shops and spilling over with the excitable chatter of people bargaining. Holy books and prayer caps for Muslims vie for space with vibrant ‘chaddars’ or pieces of cloth that are spread over graves at the dargah, while the fragrance of rose petals make the atmosphere quite heady. In the runup to Eid or other major festivals, you may even find shops selling fancy slippers and such, sprung up in the medley of small shops. It is this mixed existence, blending the everyday and the esoteric with ease, that gives Nizamuddin Dargah its enduring appeal.
History of Nizamuddin Dargah: The Dargah contains the tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a famous Sufi saint or ‘Pir’. Hazrat Nizamuddin, born in 1238, is considered to be of the same spiritual lineage as Moinuddin Chisti, of the Chisti order of Sufism. He had followers across faiths and classes, and his devotees included both rich and poor people. The emperor Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was one of his devotees, and erected the mausoleum where the saint is buried. More on history of India.
Highlights: You enter the Dargah complex through the big doors that are perpetually open, and find yourself in a large space. All around, are verandahs topped with marble arches that remain open to the sky.
Main tomb – The main tomb area is intricately decorated with golden pillars and intricate lattice work or ‘jaali’. On the jaaliwork you often find red thread tied by devotees as a ‘mannat’ or prayer for a heart’s desire to be fulfilled.
Tomb complex – The tomb complex houses the bodies of several famous personalities apart from that of Hazrat Nizamuddin. Aamir Khusrau, the noted poet of the Mughal court and Nizamuddin’s lifelong friend, is buried here. Mirza Ghalib’s tomb is also in this complex. Another luminary of Akbar’s court, his minister and a renowned poet, Abdul Rahim also has his final resting place here. Besides, Shah Jahan’s daughter is buried here as well as the prince Dara Shikoh. A few other structures worth noting inside the tomb complex are Jama’at- Khana Masjid and Kalan-Masjid.
Urs celebration: Nizamuddin Dargah is open all the time, but it comes into its own on two special days. These are the Urs or the day of passing of Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusrau. Urs or the day of passing is a matter not for mourning, but celebration according to the Sufi faith. The Dargah is very crowded on these days and celebrations continue whole night.
Thursday qawwali sessions: Thursdays are also a special time at the dargah. Chisti Nizamuddin composed a phenomenal body of songs or ‘bandish’ which have become a part of North Indian classical music. ‘Bandish’ is something that binds, and each of these songs binds around a central theme. Celebrating the musical legacy of the Sufi master is a part of the tradition at the Dargah. Each Thursday, the tomb complex comes alive to the sound of quaawalis in which quaawals or singers from many surrounding regions also participate. Music flows, and entry is free, so just enter, sit in the courtyard and soak in the rich musical atmosphere that tells you how it must have been many, many centuries ago. Twinkling lights all around add to the peaceful atmosphere, as the qawwalis flow into late evening.
Here are a few points that can help you make the most of your visit to the dargah.
The tomb is located in the eastern Nizamuddin area, tucked inside Old Nizamuddin Bazaar. It is closest to the Nizamuddin Metro station.
Quawaalis happen every Thursday once the evening prayers are over. Check local sunset timings before you visit, to time your visit right, so that you can catch the musical session right from the beginning. Usually a good time to get in is around 7 PM, in order to be there early before the crowds swell.
Anyone can enter the dargah, however the main tomb chamber is barred to women.
Follow the decorum at the dargah. Open your shoes and cover your head before you enter.
Address: Boali Gate Rd, Nizamuddin, Nizammudin West Slum, Nizamuddin West, New Delhi, Delhi 110013 Phone: +91 98117 78607 Website: https://nizamuddinaulia.org Opening times: Monday to Friday 5 am to 10.30 pm.
Despite the fact that the plots are often predictable, the acting is usually overdone and you can generally spot the fake sets and props from a mile away, I have always loved Bollywood movies. My friends think they’re ridiculous but I just love how everything is over dramatised and everything is a matter of life and death! Plus the fact that everyone bursts into song and dance at the drop of a hat just makes me smile!
So when I stumbled across some massively discounted international flights I decided that I was going to spoil myself with a vacation to New Delhi. I had to save a little more for the trip but it wasn’t difficult thanks to Discountrue coupons that you can use in almost every store, such as Kohl’s or Target and many more, and I was ready to go! The one warning I have for when visiting India is beware the sensory overload! The noise of the traffic, speakers blaring from every direction, and people talking a mile a minute at the top of their voices.
Then all the colors that turn into a kaleidoscopic blur if you try to look at too much all at once. And then there were the smells – women leaving trails of perfume, men wearing liberal amounts of cologne and hanging over it all the pungent aromas of every spice known to man! And if you love to shop but can’t control the urge to spend every cent you have then New Delhi is probably the worst place you could visit!
There are markets everywhere, and that means plenty of opportunities to spend your money – but if you can control yourself then here’s the best New Delhi markets to visit:
Khari Baoli
One of the best places to go shopping is in the Chandni Chowk district which is divided into separate bazaars that each specialize in a specific type of product from wedding goods and fabrics, to silver jewelry and electronics. But the best bazaar, called Khari Baoli, is situated beside Fatehpuri Masjid (an ancient mosque) at the western end of Chandni Chowk and is the largest spice market in Asia.
This spice market began in the 17th century and a few of the stalls still sport their original names, while many of the stalls are run by the 7th and 8th generations descended from the first spice merchants to set up shop here. But despite the rich history of this part of town, the real attraction here is the narrow lanes and tiny alleyways filled to overflowing with both local and exotic spices that fill the air with a heavenly blend of aromas.
The kitchen is the heartbeat of every home and in India that heartbeat is driven by the delightful spices that turn even the most boring of vegetables into a delicious meal you can’t get enough of. And it is the scurrying porters lugging huge sacks of spices about, shopkeepers touting the quality of their products and customers haggling for the best prices they can get that makes Khari Baoli the heartbeat of New Delhi and a place worth visiting!
Kitab Bazaar at Daryaganj
Book market at Daryaganj, Photo by Koshy Koshy
Being the voracious reader that I am, I can never have enough books to suit me so I often spend money I shouldn’t on books I don’t really have place for. Even though I recently got rid of dozens of books, I still have hundreds more and that is not including the thousands of ebooks I own! While ebooks don’t take up space (and they’re cheaper!), I prefer a proper book – the smell, the texture, the weight in my hands and pages that I can turn.
So the weekly book market that takes place along the narrow footpaths and cramped streets of Daryaganj on Sundays is my idea of heaven! Here you will find over a kilometre (nearly 2km!) of dust covered books laid out on the pavement, sometimes in neat piles and other times in a messy jumble that you have to dig through to find anything. And there is literally no limit to what titles you might come across.
You’ll see popular fiction in every genre you can imagine, coffee table books, first editions, some old titles, textbooks, graphic novels, comic books, and popular (or unknown) nonfiction. Each book can cost you anything from INR 400 to just INR 10, so bring cash (beware pickpockets) and a bag to carry all the treasures you find! And if you end up with a ridiculous amount of books then ship them home to avoid additional luggage fees!
Dilli Haat
Dilli Haat, which means Delhi Village Market, is a permanent open air market modelled after a traditional weekly market where you’ll find little thatched roof cottages spread over a 6 acre plot of land. There is more than one Dilli Haat, but I visited the one opposite the INA Market in south Delhi. And if you’re looking for traditional India then this is absolutely the best place to find it.
The market is essentially an arts and crafts bazaar where you will find rural artisans and craftspeople selling everything from panel beaten silver jewelry to handwoven linen, and ornate brassware to hand carved wooden decor items. Then there is the wonderful food plaza where you will find edible delights from every corner of India – whether it is seafood from Odiham, a Tibetan soup from Momomia or pista matka kulfi from Rajasthan.
There is also an area where you can enjoy cultural music or traditional performances from different regions, especially if you happen to visit while there is a festival on the go! Just be aware that there is an entrance fee and that there are new stalls every 15 days (some are permanent though), so if you see something you like then I would suggest trying out your bargaining skills (the stall owners love a good haggle!).
There are dozens if not hundreds of other markets to visit, including some that offer mostly factory reject designer clothing, nothing but bangles, and even a few that are for people who have much bigger budgets than others. But if there is one thing I discovered is that India is the land of the bargain and you can negotiate better prices just about anywhere. Unless you visit a State Emporium where the prices are set by the government.
Unfortunately India is nothing like what I saw in all those Bollywood movies, but once I accepted that I was probably not going to find myself in the middle of a flash dance that I instinctively knew all the steps to, I absolutely fell in love with everything it has to offer. The people, the food, the culture, the landmarks, the history and of course – the shopping!! And if you ever visit then I’m sure you will too!
This article was sent by a friend who recently visited Delhi.
If you are in Delhi then you simply have to visit Humayun’s Tomb. It’s one of the most spectacular buildings in Delhi. I am not going to go in its history of the building (you can read about it in more detail here) but will simply ask you to go around the various tombs in its garden and try to find the tomb of Dara Shikoh.
Most tourists to India will have not have heard of him before so here goes! He was the elder brother of Aurangzeb and to-be-heir of the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (the one who built the Taj Mahal). Dara Shikoh was Shah Jahan’s favourite son and the fanatic brother Aurangzeb was jealous and wanted to become the Emperor himself. Dara Shikoh was a mild mannered person and unlike his predecessors was not a fanatic and even had translated many Hindu holy books into Persian. This is why he was considered a heretic in the eyes of his brother Aurangzeb and other nobles of the court.
Had he become India’s Emperor, I am sure the history of the Indian subcontinent would have been different. But anyway, war broke out over the Mughal Empire between the two brothers in 1657 but eventually Dara Shikoh lost. He was brought to Delhi in chains and paraded all over Delhi supposedly on a dirty elephant and humiliated. His head was then cut off and sent to Agra Fort where his father had been imprisoned overlooking the Taj Mahal he had built for his wife Mumtaj. Shah Jahan died a broken man while Aurangzeb took over the reins of the Mughal Empire. Dara’s remains were buried in an unidentified grave somewhere at Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. See if you can identify it!
Located in the south of Delhi, this magnificent red sandstone building called Qutub Minar (Qutb Minar) is still the tallest tower in India, more than 800 years after its foundations were laid by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler to successfully establish an Islamic dynasty in India. It’s widely believed Qutab-ud-din issued orders to build this historic monument after defeating the Rajputs. Though the original tower was built as early as 1202 AD, it would be Qutab-ud-din’ssuccessors who would add more storeys to it, make it taller and still more impressive. This splendid piece of architecture is the most popular tourist spot in India, attracting millions of tourists each year.
Most visitors to India will probably land in Delhi – the capital of India. It is here that they will spend considerable amount of time site-seeing. Many would take day trips to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and spend a few days exploring Rajasthan particularly Jaipur and then coming back to Delhi before flying back to their own country. I personally think this is an excellent idea. So why not make the most of the stay in Delhi.
If you happen to be in Delhi then do not forget to visit Raj Ghat, a memorial built on the very place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial known as the “Raj Ghat” in Hindi is built on the banks of the River Yamuna surrounded by a beautiful garden. The memorial itself is built of black marble that marks the place where he was cremated, a day after his assassination. There is an eternal flame that burns at one end. “Hey Ram” is inscribed on the memorial which is supposed to be his last words when he was shot by an assassin who thought that the Mahatma was responsible for the division of India and giving way to much concessions to the Muslims of Pakistan.
Dilli Haat is an open air shopper’s paradise, covering an area of 6 acres; it is a destination for art, craft and food lovers. Situated in the capital city of India, Dilli Haat is visited by thousands of national and international tourists every day. Dilli Haat has food stalls representing various states of India, so that one can have breakfast of Kashmir, lunch of Andhra Pradesh and dinner from Manipur on the same day. The craft stalls exhibits ethnic and exotic products and materials exclusive to India. The shops are well organized so that the customers do not have trouble finding the products they are looking for.
People, who have lived or visited the villages in India, will know that Dilli Haat is the modernized and permanent version of the weekly market which is held in rural India. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) established Dilli Haat in 1994 and have been able to maintain it quite well. By rotating the arts and crafts shops, we get to see the diversity of India and various arts and crafts from time to time. The ambiance of the place gives a feeling of visiting rural India and understanding its village life. There are two such facilities run by the DTTDC; one is opposite to the Indian National Army Market, known as INA market, and another one in Pitampura.
Dilli Haat Craft Market
Dilli haat has exhibits of special handicrafts from all over India, which is rotated every 15 days. The craftsmen who wish to have a stall undergo procedures of booking a stall by registering with Development Commissioner for Handicrafts (or D.C. Handicraft) which then needs to be sanctioned. This ensures that the best handicrafts are at display. The D.C. Handicraft sees to it that unique crafts from various parts of India will be exhibited at Dilli Haat. In addition, the craftsmen do not have to pay hefty rents for the stall, as they are charged just Rs.100 for the 15 days, but they have to maintain high standard for their products. The craftsman usually sells the products at a reasonable price to the customers. Everyone benefits from this.
The various products available at the stalls are:
• Antiques • Regional handicraft products • Hand woven carpets and rugs • Products made from leather • Silk sarees, cloth, and dress materials • Traditional jewelry • Clothes • Woolen fabrics • Brassware • Traditional and suave fabrics • European fashion products • The colorful embroidered camels hide footwear • Crafts carved from sandalwood and rosewood
Food Plaza
As the tourists and customers enjoy shopping at the arts and crafts stalls buying unique and ethnic products, they can savor various special dishes and recipes from different parts of India. The food in Dilli Haat is prepared under strict hygienic conditions and served to the customers at a reasonable price. Various recipes and dishes from every state of India can be tasted at Dilli Haat. On special occasions, a regional food festival is organized to further tingle the taste bud of food lovers. Other Attractions of Dilli Haat
Since its establishment in 1994 to promote arts and crafts of traditional India, Dilli Haat has come a long way. It is now a most sought after venue for hosting cultural festivals, music programs, dance programs, competitions and many more. In 2011 the first ever comic convention called Comic Con India was held in its premises. The theme based festivities attracts many customers. Recently another theme named the Green Haat, organized the ‘Connecting Nature with Our Lives’ which had mostly forest-based products exhibited by the tribes of India.
Dilli haat has been crafted keeping the village in mind. It has a great creative landscape following the traditional style of India. The open air plaza is skillfully built with stone and brickwork, with flowering plants for aesthetic purpose and tall eucalyptus trees not just for providing shade, but increasing the ethnic beauty of the place. Most of the ground is covered by well mowed green grass, to avoid dust. For people who visit the place with their children, there is a play corner for them to enjoy.
How to Get to Dilli Haat?
Dilli Haat is situated on Sri Aurobindo Marg, Opposite of INA Market in New Delhi. Those who need specific information can call their office on +91-11-4629365 or +91-11- 6119055.
It can be easily reached through the underground Delhi Metro station. The place opens at 10.30 am and closes down at 9.00 pm every day, on all seven days of the week. There is an entry fee though which is quite nominally priced at Rs.20 for adults and Rs.10 for children.
India Gate, originally known as the All India War Memorial was erected in 1931 in the heart of Delhi to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in World War I and Third Anglo-Afghan War. India at that time was under the British rule and Indian soldiers were used extensively in the war effort. About 90,000 Indian soldiers died and every single name is engraved in the memorial. After independence, it also became the site of the Indian Army’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, symbol of India’s freedom movement.
There is a beautiful domed sandstone canopy behind the gate. The visitor can stand on both sides of the canopy and can see the entire Rajpath Avenue (the most important road in India that ultimately leads to the Presidents Palace and the Parliament Houses of India) at a stretch, which I used to find quite fascinating as a child and still do. India Gate is cordoned and viewers are not allowed very close to the moment hence the inscriptions of the soldiers and their battalions that lost their lives are not visible.
Delhi happens to be one of the most visited places in India. It happens to be one of the most historical capitals of the world. In Old Delhi, you’ll find forts, mosques, Mughal monuments that represent India’s history. On the other hand you’ll find government and civil buildings, embassies of the world and many newly constructed temples and other attractions.
One such attraction of Delhi is the Old Fort known as the Purana Qila in Hindi. The Purana Qila is a must see for those interested in the history of the city and India in general or those interested in historical monuments. You can get to hear a show in the evening that explains the history of the entire city of Delhi.
Purana Qila (Old Fort), Delhi. Source: Flickr Prato9x's photostream
The Red Fort (known as the Lal Qila in Hindi) is an old fort complex located in Delhi. It was constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who also constructed the world-famous Taj Mahal, in the 17th century. The fort served as the residence of the Mughal emperor, his acolytes and their families. It was also the place from where the emperors ran their vast empire. Currently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage, the fort complex serves as a tourist spot and is a powerful symbol of the Indian Republic. The prime minister addresses the nation from this complex on the Independence Day each year. Today the Red Fort is seen as the symbol of the seat of power of government of India. The Red Fort is heavily guarded and has been a subject of a terror attack in 22 December 2000 by Lashkar-e-Taiba (one of the most militant terror outfit in South Asia).
Located in the Indian capital New Delhi, the Tomb of Humayun is a mausoleum constructed in 1569-1572 for the second Mughal Emperor Humayun. The tomb was the first of its kind, in fact it was the first tomb surrounded by gardens, ever constructed on the Indian Subcontinent by the Mughals. The architect of the tomb was Mirak Mirza Ghiyath and built by Biga Begum (also known as Hamida Banu Begum) after the death of her husband. The Persian architect was specially brought from Herat in Northwest Afghanistan who incidentally died before he could complete the monument and was completed by his son instead in 1572.
This construction marks the beginning of the Mughal architectural style which will reach its zenith in the construction of Taj Mahal. It also marks the first time when red sand stone was used on such a grand scale. UNESCO currently designates the tomb as a World Heritage Site.
Tomb of Humayun as seen through the gateway. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Auto-rickshaws at Connaught Place, New Delhi. Source: Prolix6x’s photostream
Delhi is a big city. It’s home to more than 18 million people. More than 5.18 million foreign tourists came to India in 2010. (Annual Report 2012-11, Ministry of Tourism) A large proportion of those tourists first land in the capital and from there set off to explore this vast land. According to another report titled ‘Tourism survey in theState of Delhi,’ about 1.8 million foreign tourists and more than 21 million domestic tourists come to see the splendid capital each year. A large number of those tourists hire taxis or cabs to move around the city. Unfortunately, a small proportion of them become victims to impostors pretending as taxi drivers. This makes tourists uneasy and quite soon all taxis are regarded as driven by crooks. While it’s understandable why this happens, it’s not wise to put them all in the same category.
In this article, we will have a balanced look at the current situation and you will also read how you can stay safe while still enjoying your visit to this wonderful city in a taxi.
How can anyone describe Delhi, the 5000 year old capital city of the world’s largest democracy? Some call it the city of extremes; extreme weathers, from clean areas to congested ones, to open roads to chocking traffic, posh areas to poverty stricken. Whatever it may be, Delhi is best known as ‘Dillee Dilwalo ki’ which means ‘Delhi belongs to large hearted people’. Delhi, the capital India is the largest metropolis by area in India. It is also the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population. The city is also the one of the most historical capitals in the world and has a rich and numerous tourist sites.
The city can be divided into Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi represents the history of India with mosques, forts and other monuments. New Delhi is the seat of government and houses the government buildings and embassies.
