Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Delhi a glimpse into the past


Delhi, the capital of the world's largest democracy, a perfect synthesis of rich past and a vibrant  present, a city resplendent with exotic monuments cheek by jowl with some of the finest specimens of modern architecture.  A political seat of power which breathes fine arts and culture from its myriad concert halls and theaters.  It is no mean task to describe the city which owes its existence to builders and designers who spanned 5000 years, from the celestial architect vishwakarma to Edvin lutyens lionized by the British in the sunset years of their role in this country.
Delhi was born as early as 1000 BC when a settlement sprung up near the purana quila on the bank of the river yamuna. Hindu mythology however, records a settlement many hundreds of years earlier at the ancient site of indraprastha.
Lal kot, first of the city's to come into being, arose out of the dust of this north Indian plain in 736 AD.  six more followed each on the heels of the other siri, the second city (14th century AD);tughlakabad, the third city (14  century AD);jahanpanah, the forth  city (14th century AD); ferozshah kotla  (14th century AD) the fifth city; the lodi tombs provide evidence of the six city(17th century), the most prominent of city 's earlier avatar.