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Historical Monuments in Delhi
Red Fort
This magnificent fort is also known as the Lal Qila. The
Red Fort has witnessed many historic battles for the
nation’s independence. Inside the fort, the main
structure includes the Diwan – E- Aam or the hall for
public audience, Diwan – E – Khas or the hall of private
audience, Mumtaz Mahal — the residence of Shah Jahan's
daughter, Khas Mahal — the private room of the Emperor
and the Moti Mahal which was built by Aurangzeb. The
fort was built by Shah Jahan when he shifted his capital
from Agra to Shahjahanabad — now Old Delhi and it took
nine years to build the enormous fort complex. The fort
is almost octagonal in shape, like most of the Islamic
buildings in India. Every year on the 15th of August,
the national flag of India is hoisted at the Red Fort by
the Prime Minister. The fort also has the Naubat or
Naqqar Khana which is famous for its collection of
musical instruments. People throng to catch The Light
and Sound Show which is held every evening inside the
complex the fort. A visit to the Fort gives the children
a sense of the nation’s rich historical past.
Qutab Minar
An overwhelming tower made of bricks called the Qutab
Minar has become synonymous with the history of Delhi.
This majestic sandstone tower is nestled in the southern
quarters of Delhi. It is 237.8 ft in height and is an
exquisite example of the Indo-Islamic and Afghan
architecture. This architectural site is surrounded by
lush green manicured gardens, which are a favoured
picnic and recreational spot for people. This tower has
become a distinguished member of the World Heritage Site
community and it mysteriously leans to almost 60 cm off
the vertical. The Minar has a colossal entrance called
the Alai Darwaza, the main entrance to the whole
complex. There are richly-decorated facades of white
marble that are engraved with geometric patterns and
Arabic inscriptions. Just at the foot of the Qutab Minar
stands India’s first mosque — the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid.
Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun's Tomb is regarded as the first garden tomb of
the Indian subcontinent. It dates back to 1570.
Humayun's Tomb was built by Hamida Banu Begum, wife of
the Mughal Emperor Humayun. This monument exemplifies
the grandeur of the Mughal style of architecture. One of
the main attractions of the tomb is the garden or the
Char Bagh. The garden surrounding the tomb is divided
into 36 squares by small water channels and stoned
paths. The square garden is surrounded by a high wall
made of rubble of stones that is further divided into
four large squares separated by channels and each square
is divided into smaller squares by pathways which create
the Char Bagh. The tomb is octagonal in shape. A great
central chamber has four offsets and is double-storied
in height. The central room contains the cenotaph of
Emperor Humayun and his Queen.
Old Fort
The Old Fort is also called the Purana Qila. It was
built in the 16th century. The architecture pattern is
basically a blended format of Mughal/Hindu/Afghan
architecture. The fort was built in red sandstone and
the fort walls are octagonal in shape. At some points,
the fort extends to 33.5m in height. Many archaeologists
believe that the fort is actually standing on the
ancient site of Indraprasta — the capital of Pandavas.
Inside the fort is Humayun's Library. This octagonal
building is called Sher Mandal as it was built by Sher
Shah. The Talaqi Darwaza is known as the 'Forbidden
Gate'. Inside the fort is a mosque called Quila Kuhna
Masjid. A bit beyond the fort is the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid
or the mosque of Sher Shah. This mosque is the epitome
of Delhi's heritage of the Lodi style of architecture.
The prayer hall leads to staircases which further lead
to the second storey from where a splendid panorama of
the fort can be seen with the greenery of Delhi as its
backdrop.
Jantar Mantar
This monument was basically built as a scientific
observatory by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1710 A.D. The
structure encloses a sun dial or the Samrat Yantra that
signifies the scientific heritage of the past centuries.
The structure corroborates observable astronomical facts
and can be used, even today, to determine the position
of different astral bodies. A perfect amalgamation of
religion and science, the observatory is looked upon as
a historical site by the people. The Jantar Mantar has
instruments that are used to calculate the longest and
shortest days. These yantras or instruments are built of
brick rubble and are plastered with lime. The site is
thronged by tourists who stand awestruck by the
scientific advancement India had made hundreds of years
ago.
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