Delhi

If you wish to explore the splendor of medieval Indian architecture, include Delhi in your itinerary. Chosen as its capital by successive dynasties, all took great care to build majestic architectural marvels which stand out in craftsmanship and grandeur. Even the British left their imprint in form of magnificent colonial structures. All this make Delhi, a historic city and one of the most preferred destinations in India.

Attractions in Delhi include:

Qutab Minar:
The Qutb Minar, the tallest tower in India, was built to commemorate the victory by Qutab-ud-din over the last Hindu kingdom in the city and symbolize Islamic rule over Delhi. This 238ft (72m) tall monument, inscribed with verses from the Koran, tapers from a 50ft (15m) diameter at the base to just 8ft (2.5m) at the top. It comprises five distinct stories each encircled with a balcony. At the foot of the minhar, stands Quwwat-ul-Islam, India’s oldest mosque. This mosque is built from the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain temples that were destroyed by the new Muslim rulers of India.

Red Fort:
The Red Fort is the signature attraction of Delhi. Built of massive sandstone walls to keep out invaders they still dominate the skyline today. The fort houses exquisite buildings, where Shah Jehan, his courtiers, family and staff of three thousand stayed. The intricate decoration, lavish royal layout and ingenious air conditioning system are sights to marvel at.

Jumma Masjid
Located a few hundred yards west of the Red Fort, the Jumma Masjid towers over the busy streets of old Delhi. This grand mosque is India’s largest mosque and can hold 25,000 worshipers at a time. Wide red sandstone steps lead to entrances on the East, North, and South sides of the mosque.

Humayun’s Tomb:
This is one of the most beautiful examples of Mogul architecture in Delhi. The tomb, set in a Persian garden, is an octagonal structure capped by a double dome that soars 125ft (38m) into the sky. In the grounds are some other monuments, including the Tomb of Isa Khan

Rashtrapati Bhavan: This is the residence of the president of India. The building unmistakably carries a British influence in its structuring.

Parliament Building: Like the Rashtrapati Bhavan this building is a symbol of British imperial power.

Other Mosques: Delhi has several other mosques well known for their elegance. These include Begumpuri Masjid, Gumbad and Masjid, Fatehpuri Sikri Masjid.

Temples: Lotus Temple, Kalka Devi Temple, Hanuman Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple are some of the well known worship shrines in Delhi. These temples are reputed for their architecture splendor.

Other forts: Purana Qila, Tughlaqabad Fort, Nai-ka-Kot Ruins are places worth a visit.

Other Colonial Structures: Other colonial structures which remind of the British rule are India Gate, Supreme Court, Northern Ridge, St James Church, George V Memorial etc.

Museums: Dolls Museum, Craft Museum, National Rail Museum are some of the interesting museums in the capital.

Other Attractions: Jantar Mantar, Alai Darwaza and Alai Minar.

When you visit Delhi you get acquainted with India’s history and culture.