City History

Delhi History

To this day, the earliest origins of Delhi are still being excavated. It is believed that there were even settlements in the region of Delhi during the Early-Stone Age. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas built their capital, Indraprastha, near what is now present-day New Delhi. The Mauryan Empire, during the 3 rd century B.C. expanded beyond Delhi.  The Tomar ruler, Anangpal, built Lal kat, the first city of Delhi in the 11th century A.D. Tomar rule ceased after the invasions of Muhammed Ghauri and his general, Qutub-ud-din Aibak, who became the first Sultan of Delhi.

Successive rulers began to build new cities. These include Siri, Tughlaqabad and Ferozabad. In 1398, Delhi was surmounted by the Central Asian conqueror Timur the Lame. Babur (1526-1530) took over the throne at Delhi and established the Mughal Empire. This extended across North India and was later expanded by Babur's heir Humayun. Akbar's grandson, Shah Jehan (1628-58) built Shahjehanabad, which remained the Mughal capital until 1857, when Delhi was an important centre of the rebellion against British Rule.

In 1911, the British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi and set up New Delhi as an imperial capital. After India secured independence in 1947, New Delhi remained the seat of the Indian government and evolved into a lively and fashionable city, where the heritage of yesteryear neatly coexists with the modern innovations of the 21st century.