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Delhi |
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Delhi sometimes referred to as Dilli, is the second-largest metropolis in India, after Mumbai, with a population of 12.8 million, and with an extende d metropolitan population of almost 22 million.Located in northern India on the banks of the River Yamuna, Delhi has the political status of a federally-administered union territory known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), which in itself is part of National Capital Region.
History
According to Indian folklore, Delhi was the site of the magnificent and opulent Indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata, founded around 500 BC. Hindu texts state that the city of Delhi used to be referred to in Sanskrit as Hastinapur, which means "elephant-city". A village called Indraprast existed in Delhi until the beginning of the 19th century. The British demolished the ancient village to make way for the construction of New Delhi in the late 19th century. Archaeological evidence suggests that Indraprastha once stood where the Old Fort is today. Excavations have unearthed shards of the grey painted ware (c. 1000 BC) that some archaeologists associate with the age of the Mahabharata, but no coherent settlement traces have been found.
T
he name Delhi may be derived from the word 'Dhillika', though there are other theories. Raja Dhilu (King Dihlu) founded ancient Delhi in 800 BC It was the name of the first medieval township of Delhi, located on the southwestern border of the present Delhi, in Mehrauli. This was the first in the series of seven medieval cities. It is also known as Yoginipura, that is, the fortress of the yoginis (female divinities). It gained importance during the time of Ananga Pala Tomara. In the 12th century, the city was included in the dominions of Prithviraj Chauhan. Source:wikipedia
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- Qila Rai Pithora built by Prithvi Raj Chauhan, near the oldest Rajput settlement in Lal Kot; it was a seven-gated fort in Delhi. Quila Rai Pithora is supposed to be the First City of Delhi, built by Prithviraj, a Chauhan king and also the second last Hindu king of Delhi.
- Siri, built by Alauddin Khilji in 1303;
- Tughluqabad, built by Ghiyasuddin Tughluq (1321-1325);
- Jahanpanah, built by Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325-1351);
- Kotla Firoz Shah, built by Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-1388);
- Purana Qila, built by Sher Shah Suri and Dinpanah built by Humayun, both in the area near the speculated site of the legendary Indraprastha (1538-1545); and
- Shahjahanabad, built by Shah Jahan from 1638 to 1649, containing the Lal Qila and the Chandni Chowk. It was the capital of the Mughal Empire during Shah Jahan's reign. It is presently referred to as "Old Delhi".
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Delhi, the capital of India has a fascinating history and a  stimulating present. Delhi is fine amalgamation of old and new. The old city, built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century, stands today as an epitome of the whole history of Indo-Islamic architecture. New Delhi, designed and constructed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker is a mixture of East & West.
Old Delhi presents old world charm whereas New Delhi reflects the new world extravaganza. If you tour in the Old Delhi you will come across old fashioned narrow alleys with small and big shops of various items.
Sightseeing In Delhi -
- Chandni Chowk
- India Gate
- Jama Masjid
- Jantar Mantar
- Old Fort
- Palika Bazar
- Qutab Minar
- Raj Ghat
- The Lotus Temple
- Red Fort
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New Delhi