New Delhi, the capital of India is a city with an exciting and unbelievable history.The historical monuments make the city a preferred choice of travellers from various parts of the world. The city hasinteresting mosques, forts, and monuments. Visitors find it interesting to spend time exploring these monuments.
1. The Red Fort
The fort with a perimeter of over 2.2 kilometres was laid out in the banks of the Yamuna River in the 17th century. It has two entrances – Delhi Gate and Lahore Gate. This was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan with the aim of gathering the Mughal power in one monument. This being less of a monument and more of a mini-city is a pleasure to one’s imagination. Despite of its lanes being mostly dirty and congested, the Fort majestically stands in the midst of disturbance.There is a Light and Sound Show every evening.
2. Qutub Minar
This is a tower that is generally considered as the highest stone tower in the country. The monument also known as a tower of victory soars to a height of 73 m. The tower has five stories; the first three stories are made of red sandstone and the fourth and fifth ones are a combination of marble and sandstone. The tower is decorated with bands of inscriptions, along with four projecting balconies. After beating Delhi’s last Hindu kingdom; Qutab-ud-din Aibak started the construction of this tower in the year 1193. He could not however complete the monument during his lifetime. Later onit was completed by his descendants.One must visit this truly stunning monument to enjoy the intricate carvings and verses from the holy Quran.
3. Humayun’s Tomb
This is possibly one of the most pioneering and experimental monuments of its time. The Indo-Islamic architectural style makes it truly eye-catching. Humayun’s grieving widow Hamida Bhanu Begum built it in 1565-66. The Tomb shows a very notable influence of Persian design. This is a square building cut off at its corners to make it octagonal. The monument has garden on all four sides. The engineering brilliancy of the Mughals that makes it most striking isthe double dome of the tomb. The tomb is open on all days of the week.
4. India Gate
Located inRajpath, near Connaught Place, New Delhi this solemn monument was built in memory of the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army in World War 1.It was designed by Lutyens and built in 1931. It was initially called the All India War Memorial. The names of the soldiers are adorned on the walls of the arc of the gate. It is a popular picnic site,particularly during hot summer evenings. At night the sight is delightful. The Gate glows warmly and the fountains near the Gate are lit with coloured lights.
5. Jantar Mantar
Yantra(Jantar) means instruments and Mantra means formulae. This was built in the year 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur to have astronomical instruments to take correct measurements. Samrat Yantra, Jayaprakash Yantra and Misra Yantra are three instruments within the observatory. The instruments here though do not work nowadays because of the tall buildings around; butdisplay the promising brilliance of the engineers of those days. The monument is a reminder of the technological achievements that took place under the rule of the Rajput kings. There are 13 astronomical tools and they are used mostly as observatory towers to estimate the movements and times of the sun, moon and planets.
Delhi is one of the most historic capitals in the world and has many tourist sites. The significance of these monuments cannot be fully expressed and you need to visit them in order to appreciate them. Reach the important tourist places in Delhi and enjoy. Plan your trip now and do not miss these places during your visit.