Delhi
Delhi is perhaps the most interesting city in Asia, partly because it is not just a city, but an accumulation of 8 cities over the ages, each carrying with it its uniqueness and and lots of interesting history. It has been sacked, razed to the ground and rebuilt, each time adding on to the melting pots of cultures and architecture.
Delhi began with Indraprastha, a settlement established near the location of present day Delhi 3000 years ago. In the 12th century, the city of Siri was established near what its near Hauz khas by Alauddin, only to be replaced by Tughluqabad, now in ruins. The fourth Delhi was also a creation of the muslim Tuqhlaqs, and is known as JahanPanah. Subsequently, the fifth Delhi, Firozabad was built and thereafter,replaced by Purana Qila, created by the Afghan Sher Shah who conquered it and took over it temporarily from the Mughals. The Mughals managed to retake Delhi and in doing so, constructed the seventh Delhi, known as Shahjahanabad. The British's version, and addition to this glowing conglomerate is the last and final, now called New Delhi was meant to replace the original capital of British India in Calcutta.
Delhi of today is a huge sprawling city of some 12 million, adjacent the banks of the holy yet much polluted Yamuna. Development is slowly altering the skyline of this magnificant metropolis by adding many new buildings and skyscrapers. On the other hand, much of the traditional Delhi where bicycles and aged automobiles jostle with cows, shepherds, goats, snakecharmers, richshaw and bazaars is still to be found and this certainly gives it a exotic and spicy blend of new and old. |
