India
Gate:
Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers
killed in World War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and
completed in 1931. Located on Rajpath, the road which leads to the
magnificent Rashtrapati Bhawan, the gate is 160 feet high with an arch of
138 feet. Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a
gesture in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the 1971
war with Pakistan.
Qutab Minar Complex: The
origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was
erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in
India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the
faithful to prayer. No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only
one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. Qutab-ud-din
Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the
Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor,
Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak
constructed the fifth and the last storey. The development of architectural
styles from Aibak to Tughlak are quite evident in the minar. The relief work
and even the materials used for construction differ.
The 238 feet
Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The
tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting
balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets. Even in ruin, the
Quwwat Ui Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque in the Qutab complex is one of the
most magnificent in the world. Its construction was started by Qutab-ud-din
Aibak in 1193 and the mosque was completed in 1197. additions were made to
the building by Iltutmush in 1230 and Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1315.
The
main mosque comprises of an inner and outer courtyard, of which the inner is
surrounded by an exquisite colonnade, the pillars of which are made of
richly decorated shafts. Most of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples
which were plundered to construct the mosque. It is, therefore, not
surprising that the Muslim mosque has typical Hindu ornamentation.
Close
to the mosque is one of Delhi's most curious antiques, the Iron Pillar.
Dating back to the 4th century AD, the pillar bears an inscription which
stated that it was erected as a flagstaff in honour of the Hindu god,
Vishnu, and in the memory of the Gupta king Chandragupta II (375-413). How
the pillar moved to its present location remains a mystery. The pillar also
highlights ancient India's achievements in metallurgy. The pillar is made of
98 per cent wrought iron and has stood. 1,600 years without rusting or
decomposing.
Rashtrapati
Bhawan:
Formerly the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight
of Lutyen's New Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound
sterling. Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms. At
one time, 2,000 people were required to look after the building and serve
the Viceroy's household. The lodge also has impressive garden called the
Mughal Garden, which is open to public twice in a year, usually in February
and March.
Humayun's Tomb: The mughals brought with
them a love for gardens, fountains and water. The first mature example of
Mughal architecture in India, Humayun's Tomb was built by the emperor's
grieving widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD. Constructed with red sandstone and
ornamented marks the beginning of a new tradition of ornate style which
culminated in the Taj Mahal of Agra. Designed by the Persian architect,
Mirza Ghyas, Humayun's Tomb shows a marked shift from the Persian tradition
of using coloured tiles for ornamentation. Located in the midst of a large
square garden, screened by high walls, with gateways to the south and west,
the tomb is a square tower surmounted by a magnificent marble dome. The dome
stands 140 feet from the base of the terrace and is topped with a copper
pinnacle. In addition to the remains of Humayun, the complex also houses the
grave of many other distinguished members of the Mughal dynasty.
Rajghat: The
mortal remains of mahatma Gandhi were cremated on this spot on the west bank
of the river Yamuna on the evening of January 31, 1948. A simple open
platform inscribed with the Mahatma's last words, 'Hey Ram' (Oh God) is set
in a garden with fountains and a variety of exotic trees.
Jantar
Mantar: At first sight, the Jantar Mantar appears like a gallery of
modern art. It is, however, an observatory. Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur
(1699-1743), a keen astronomer and a noble in the Mughal court, was
dissatisfied by the errors of brass and metal astronomical instruments.
Under patronage from the emperor, he set on himself the task of correcting
the existing astronomical tables and updating the almanac with more reliable
instruments. Delhi's Jantar Mantar is the first of the five observatories
that he built with large masonary instruments. The observatory has the
Samrat Yantra, a simple equal hour sun dial, the Ram yantra for reading
altitudinal angles; Jai Prakash for ascertaining the position of the sun and
other celestial bodies, and the Misra Yantra which is a combination of four
scientific gadgets.
Purana Quila: The fort is said to
be constructed on the historic site of Indraprastha (900 BC) by Humayun and
Sher Shah. Covering a circuit of about a mile, the walls of the fort have
three gates and are surrounded by a mat fed by the river Yamuna. The wall
was built by Humayun while the buildings in the fort are attributed to Sher
Shar. The notable buildings that have survived in the fort are the Sher
Mandal and the Quila-I-kholina Mosque. Sher Mandal is a two storeyed
octagonal tower which was used by Humayun as his library. The mosque, built
around 1541-42, is a landmark in Indo Islamic architecture. The architect
has shown skill by enriching each part with moulding, bracketed openings,
marble inlay, carving and other establishments. A variety of materials have
also been used to construct the small mosque (168 x 44 feet). The entrance
arch is of marble, the spandrels of red sandstone studded with marble
bossed, the columns and pilasters of black and white marble.
India
Gate:
Rashtrapati
Bhawan:
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