Aug 15, 2001 02:26 AM
3523 Views
(If I write, what I want to write about Delhi, I would probably have to write hundreds of pages. This review is just a glimpse of the glorious city called Delhi also lovingly known by all Indian as “heart of India” or Dili hai dil Hindustan ka)
The earliest mention of Delhi is found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, a city called Indraprastha. Indraprastha was built in 1400 B.C. under the guidance of Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, on a huge mound somewhere on the sites of the historic Old Fort (Purana Qila). Legend has it that the city was named Delhi in the 1st century BC when Raja Dhilu built the first city of Delhi .The city went through many ups and downs and did not regain its glory until the 12th century A.D., when it was made the capital of the ruler Prthviraja III. After his defeat later that century, the city passed into Muslim hands.
The Mughal emperors Akbar and Jahangir moved their headquarters to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra, respectively and Delhi once again lost its glory and glamour. In 1638 the son of Jahangir, Shah Jahan, resolved to make Delhi his capital and ordered that a new city be built which was named as Shahjahanabad but which is now known as Old Delhi. The greater part of the city is still confined within the space of Shah Johan’s walls and several gates built during his rule -- the Kashmiri Gate, the Delhi Gate, the Turkman Gate, and the Ajmeri Gate -- still stand.
With the fall of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, the city of Delhi witnessed many invasions and power changes. The arrival of the British in 1803 marked the beginning of a new period in Delhi's history. Under British rule, Delhi grew to become a large city. In 1912 the British moved the capital of British India from Kolkata to new site in Delhi, which is now commonly known as New Delhi.
Delhi's greatest and most important monuments are Lal Quila or Red Fort with thick red sandstone walls, bulging with turrets and bastions. The Lal Quila rises above a wide dry moat in the northeast corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad. Its walls extend from two kilometers and vary in height from 18 metres on the river Yamuna side to 33 metres on the city side.
Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648. The fort contains all the expected trappings of the centre of Mughal government: halls of public and private audience domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur
Entrance to the fort is through the imposing Lahore Gate .It has a special significance for India as the first war of independence and freedom fighters and national leaders of India have made important speeches here.
The main entrance opens on to the Chatta Chowk, a covered street flanked with arched cells that used to house Delhi's most talented jewellers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths. This arcade was also known as the Meena Bazaar, the shopping centre for the ladies of the court. Just beyond the Chhata Chowk is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana where the royal musicians would play melodious music for the emperor.
The Fort houses Diwan-i-AAm (Public Hall) where the Emperor would listen to the complaints from his people and give out legal decisions. His alcove in the wall was marble-panelled and was set the precious stones in the marble-panelled wall were looted after the first war of independence of 1857. The Diwan-i-Khas (Private Hall) is made of marble and but its centrepiece - the Peacock Throne, was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory.
The Rang Mahal or the ''Palace of Colours'' housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. This palace was crowned with gilded turrets, delicately painted and decorated with an intricate mosaic of mirrors, and a ceiling overlaid with gold and silver that was reflected in a central pool in the marble floor.
The Red Fort is an eloquent reminder of India’s glory its architecture and its wealth and of-course spices that prompted many an invaders to pillage and loot and massacre.
On 15th August 1947 Indian flag once again flew on the turrets of the Red Fort, as India entered into an era of freedom and nation hood. The shackles of foreign rule, first the Mughals and then the British were for once and ever were smashed to pieces and both India and Indians basked in the glory of independence.
Today on the 54th Independence Day, the Tri- Colour Indian flag will again be unfurled on top of the Red Fort reminding the world at large and India’s enemies in particular - in the words of Netaji Subhash Chander Bose “Door Hato Aiy Duniya Walo Hindusthan Hamara Hai.
Vande Matram and Happy Independence Day to Indians all over the world.
