History of Delhi

Delhi - A Tale of Seven Cities

The majestic forts and monuments of Delhi are a standing testimony to the annals of civilizations that have unfolded. Several empires rose and fell in its 5000 year old history. Delhi is evidenced in the Mahabharata as the capital city of the Pandavas, Indraprastha as it was called. This dates back to the second millennium BC. The Mauryan Empire ruled Delhi in the 3 rd century BC. Remains of seven major cities have been excavated in Delhi.

The first city of Delhi, Lal Khot was founded by the Tomar Rulers in the 11th century. The name was changed to Qila Rai Pithora by the Chauhan Rajput Kings who conquered Lal Khot. Qutubddin Aibak, the first ruler of the Slave Dynasty conquered Delhi in 1206 and became its first sultan thus establishing the Delhi Sultanate. The foundations for the Qutb Minar were laid under his reign. After the fall of the Slave Dynasty a number of Turkish and Central Asian Dynasties ruled Delhi. These included the Khiljis, the Tughluq's, the Sayyid Dynasty and the Lodhi Dynasty. These dynasties are credited with the creation of the cities of Siri, Tughlaqabad, Firozabad.

The Mughal Rule came to Delhi in 1526, when Zahiruddin Babur defeated the last LodhiKing.The three centuries long rule of the Mughals was interspersed with a five year rule by Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century. Sher Shah Suri founded the sixth city of Shergarh. The seventh city of Shahjahanabad was founded by Shahjahan in the area that is today popular as Old Delhi. This city remained the Mughal capital till 1857.

Delhi became a part of the British Empire in India after the 1857 uprising, but it was only in 1911 that Delhi was declared the capital of British India. Under the British rule parts of the Old City was torn down to create New Delhi. The elaborate and grandiose style buildings are a reminder of the British influence.

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