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Explore the Stunning Historical Monuments in Delhi

By Manoj

Delhi, also famous by the name 'Dilli' as pronounced in Hindi, is officially the National Capital Territory (NCT). It not just happens to be one of India's largest cities but is a perfect combination of antiquity and modernity. It is India's second most populous city after Mumbai.

Delhi is renowned for being home to many architectural masterpieces such as the Qutub Minar, the Red Fort, India Gate, the Akshardham shrine and many more. Travellers coming here can explore these architectural wonders and also learn more about the history of this place. Here is a guide to the historical monuments that travellers should visit when in Delhi.

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Chausath Khamba

Chausath Khamba

Chausat Kambha is the tomb of Mirza Aziz Koka, the son of Ataga Khan who was the prime minister of Emperor Akbar. It was named after the two Urdu words Chausat and Kambha which mean '64 pillars' respectively was construed during the rule of Jahangir in Delhi. It is a square structure built out of white marble and consists of 64 columns that support 25 bays, each of which support a dome. Declared a heritage structure, this monument is part of the Nizamuddin religious complex. Also, present in the monument's vicinity are other heritage structures like the tomb of Ataga Khan, the Urs Mahal and the Mirza Ghalib Tomb.

Photo Courtesy: Varun Shiv Kapur
Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is one of the oldest and largest mosques of India and is the last architectural work built by Emperor Shah Jahan. The construction of the mosque was started in 1650 and was completed in 1656. It was originally named 'Masjid-i-Jahan Numa' which means the 'World-reflecting Mosque'. It was later renamed as Jama Masjid and gained its name from the Urdu word Jammah meaning Friday. Friday is considered as a religious day for Muslims and noon prayers are attended by all. This huge mosque can hold up to 25,000 worshippers in it and has three majestic gates, four towers and 260 beautifully done carved pillars. The floor of the mosque is covered with white and black marble that resemble an ornamented Muslim prayer mat. The mosque stands on a 5 ft high platform and is the largest mosque in India. There are a number of relics in it, among which is an antique copy of the Quran that is written on deer skin.

Photo Courtesy: Saad Akhtar
Kashmiri Gate

Kashmiri Gate

The Kashmiri Gate is one of the gates to enter the walled city of Delhi and is located to the north of the city of Shahjahanabad. The gate was built by a military engineer Robert Smith in 1835 and has gained its name as it is the doorway that leads to Kashmir. The gate has played a vital role in the history of Indian Freedom Movement. It is here that the battle between Indian freedom fighters and British Army took place, where India ultimately regained the power over Delhi in 1857.

Photo Courtesy: Varun Shiv Kapur
Khooni Darwaza

Khooni Darwaza

Khooni Darwaza is a gate that was constructed by Sher Shah Suri and was earlier known by the name Kabuli Bazar, as people from Afghanistan used to pass by this gate. The gate has gained its present name after the incident where three Mughal Dynasty princes Mirza Mughal and Khizr Sultan, sons of Bahadur Shah Zafar and his grandson Mirza Abu Bakr were murdered at this gate by British Leader William Hudson, following the king's surrender to the British on September 22, 1857.

Photo Courtesy: Karthi.dr
Moth ki Masjid

Moth ki Masjid

Moth ki Masjid meaning 'Lentil Mosque' was built in 1505 by Wazir Miya Bhoiya who was the minister of Sultan Sikander Lodi. The money earned from the cultivation of lentils in a vast area, served to build this mosque. The foundation stone of the mosque was laid by Sikander Lodi himself and the mosque is believed to be Miya Bhoiya's private mosque. The masjid is known for its Indo-Islamic architecture. Made of red stone, the mosque has windows with latticework screens, octagonal cenotaphs, a small semi-circular dome, open arches and double-storeyed towers. The intricate floral designs are a beautiful sight to cherish here. Unlike other traditional mosques, this one doesn't have any minarets, calligraphic decorations or embellishments. The architecture of the mosque has attracted tourists and visitors from around the globe.

Photo Courtesy: Varun Shiv Kapur
Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar

The Qutub Minar is one of the most famous structures in Delhi and is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the tallest minaret in the country having a height of 72.5 mt. The Qutub Minar is believed to be a victory tower built by Qutub-Ud-Din-Aibak. This extremely well maintained tower is an architectural wonder and is a must-see structure in India.

Photo Courtesy: Swaminathan
Safdarjang Tomb

Safdarjang Tomb

The Safdarjang Tomb was built in the year 1753 by the Nawab of Awadh, Shiya-ud-Daulah for his father Safdarjang. The tomb has a white mausoleum and is known to be the 'last flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture'. The entrance of this monument is paved in red sandstone with impressive contours; the central arch of the tomb is a feast for the eyes with its lavish display of colours and the nine mini-tombs look up to the gigantic central white dome. It also has huge enclosure walls, tall fountains, lush Mughal gardens which make it a true attraction to be visited if you are at Delhi. The tomb has sixteen pavilions which have some unique names like Moti Mahal, Jangli Mahal and Badshah Pasand.

Photo Courtesy: Neel.kapur
Agrasen ki Baoli

Agrasen ki Baoli

Agrasen Ki Baoli is a unique and interesting monument in Delhi. Eclipsed by the city's tall and modern edifices, only a few know about the existence of this historic step well in the national capital territory and is under the care of by the Archaeological Survey of India. Though not much is known about the person who commissioned its construction, legends have it that it was built by a legendary king named Agrasen of the Mahabharata era. The step well includes about 103 steps leading towards the base that once stored water and consists of five different levels. Unlike the other traditional step wells that are mostly circular, this one is shaped differently with one end of it being a raised platform with roof and the other end without a roof but being shaded by a huge neem tree. Today there is no water in the baoli, but the well is home to many pigeons and bats.

Photo Courtesy: Varun Shiv Kapur
Feroz Shah Kotla

Feroz Shah Kotla

The Feroz Shah Kotla is a fortress built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1360 when he founded Ferozabad, the fifth city of Delhi. It is located on the banks of the River Yamuna and is mostly known for the famous Ashokan Pillar that stands here. The 13 mt high pillar is believed to be brought fromMeerutby Feroz Shah toDelhi. The sole purpose of the pillar was to spread Buddhism among the public like any other Ashokan pillar. Though the pillar is built in sandstone, it seems to consist of metal as well and shines in the rays of the afternoon sun.

Photo Courtesy: Aditya somani
Hauz Khas Complex

Hauz Khas Complex

The Hauz Khas Complex is a storehouse of monuments, located in South Delhi. Present within this complex are interesting attractions such as a tomb, an Islamic Seminary, a mosque, a water tank and many pavilions around an urbanized village with a medieval history. Hauz Khas used to be a part of Allauddin Khilji Dynasty. Tourists coming here can explore this complex and admire the various architectures that stand here.

Photo Courtesy: Varun Shiv Kapur
Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb is located in New Delhi and was constructed in his memory by his wife Hamida Banu Begum in the year 1562 AD. The tomb was built nine years after Humayun's death and is today an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful tomb is in a walled enclosure that has beautiful gardens, water channels and fountains, walkways and more. Also present inside this walled enclosure are tombs of various other Mughal rulers.

Photo Courtesy: Arian Zwegers
Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar is an observatory renowned for housing some unique astronomical instruments and is located in the modern city of Delhi. It was constructed in the year 1724, and happens to be one among five other such sites built by the Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. The Maharaja took up the task for the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah who wanted him to revise the calender and the astronomical tables. Built with an aim of compiling astronomical tables, to predict the movements of sun, moon and the planets, Jantar Mantar houses a total of 13 interesting astronomical instruments.

Photo Courtesy: Alex Sirota
Jahanpanah

Jahanpanah

Janahpanah was a city built by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq during the 1326-27 AD. It used to be the fourth medieval city of Delhi and was built to avoid the continuous threat to the place from Mongols. Today, Jahanpanah and the many forts and other structures within can be found only in ruins.Travellers coming here can explore these ruins and marvel the skills of the artisans who constructed these majestic structures.

Photo Courtesy: Varun Shiv Kapur
Tughlaqabad Fort

Tughlaqabad Fort

The Tughlaqabad Fort is a ruined fort in Delhi that was built by Ghiyas-ud-din-Tughlaq in the year 1321. The construction of the fort however has an interesting history. Ghiyas-ud-din-Tughlaq was a feudatory to the Khilji Kings of Delhi. One of the kings teased him and asked him to build a fort on his own when he becomes a king. Later in 1321 when he became the King he right away started the construction of the marvelous fort that he wanted to be one of its kind. This fort is the largest in the whole of Delhi and is known for its architecture, as is seen in its mosques, palaces, towers, buildings and tanks. The fort also was built to defend the emperor. The walls of the fort are thicker than all the other forts in India.

Photo Courtesy: harpreet singh

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