Delhi is an ancient city. There are many famous monuments in Delhi which serve as testaments to Delhi's illustrious past.
Though the foundation of contemporary Delhi city was laid by the British, the conquerors from England continued to make Delhi their administrative capital of the Indian subcontinent. Like their forerunners, the British also contributed many famous monuments in Delhi. The greatest and still functional is the evergreen architecture of Edward Lutyens. His seminal work at present is the pilot architecture of the modern city of New Delhi. The grandiose colonial buildings built by the rulers of the medieval period of history can easily be counted as a part of the famous monuments of Delhi.
Other famous monuments in Delhi of the British India are the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House. One of the most famous monuments of Delhi is the eye catching India Gate, the memorial built to remember the Indian soldiers who died in the first World War fighting the enemies of the British Empire.
The list and stories of famous monuments in Delhi also includes the era before British rule. A number of famous monuments in Delhi are the structural testaments to the reign of the Mughals. The remains of the Qutub complex, comprising the famous Qutub Minar and Iron Pillar also lists as a member of the famous monuments at Delhi.
Red Fort
The Red Fort, with a circumference of over 2.2 kilometers, was laid out by the banks of the Yamuna river in the 17th century. The Mughal emperor Shajahan built it with the ambition of concentrating the Mughal power in one monument. Monument is perhaps not the right word. A mini-city is more like it. Unfortunately for the emperor, before he could move his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad in Delhi, he was taken a political prisoner by his son Aurangazeb. The fort is a delight to one's imagination. Imagine the Naqqar Khana (Drum room) also called Naubat Khana (Welcome Room), where once drums loudly heralded the arrival of the emperor and the Diwan-e-Am (Hall of Public Audience) resounded with the incantations of the people. Amazing, isn't it? There's more to see - Mumtaz Mahal, Rang Mahal (Palace of Colours), Khas Mahal (Emperor's Palace), Diwan-e Khas (Hall of Private Audience), the Hammam (bathing area) and Shah Burj.
Qutub Minar
The construction of this historical monument was started by Qutubuddin Aibak and stands 73 meters tall. it is the world’s highest minaret that is made from rubbles and masonry. The tower is built of red sandstone. Decorated with delicate carvings, this tower has verses of the Holy Quran inscribed on some portions.
Humayun's Tomb
Humayun Tomb of DelhiHumayun's Tomb is probably one of the most innovative and experimental monuments of its time, incorporating within it Indo-Islamic architectural styles. Hamida Bhanu Begum (Haji Begum), Humayun's grieving widow built it in 1565-66. She is said to have spent 15 lakh rupees on it. Humayun's Tomb shows a very remarkable Persian influence, and art historians conjecture that this influence could probably have its origin in Humayun's exile in Persia. The tomb, typical of a Persian design, is a square building cut off at its corners to make it octagonal. It started a whole new form of architecture, where tombs were built in the centre of a four-portioned garden.
Another fact that is interesting is the double dome of the tomb. The tomb has two domes, one below the other. This is yet another example of the engineering brilliancy of the Mughals. To have a huge, inspiring dome from the exterior would mean a much too large dome for the inside of the building. So there's a lower, interior ceiling. And it makes any visitor very comfortable, who does not have to deal with an intimidating hall.
There is an entrance in the south of the complex. It leads to the emperor's tomb, which lies in the centre of a serene chamber. However, the actual resting place of Humayun is directly beneath, in an underground chamber. Several royalties of the Mughal family are buried in the mausoleum.
Lodi Gardens
The Lodi Gardens is one of Delhi’s very popular tourist attractions. With monuments and tombs from the Lodi and the Sayyed dynasties, the Lodi Gardens has the tombs of Sikander Lodi and Muhammad Shah.
Many people head to this garden in the mornings and evenings for walking, jogging and exercise. A beautiful picnic spot, the tomb looks even more beautiful during sunset.
Safdarjung's Tomb
Safdarjung Tomb of DelhiSafdarjung's Tomb is the last of the enclosed garden tombs in the tradition of Humayun's tomb. It was built in 1753-54, for Safdarjung, the Prime Minister of Muhammad Shah, the Mughal emperor between 1719-48. Marble was allegedly stripped from other tombs to build Safdarjung's tomb. Now that speaks volumes for the kind of power Safdarjung must have wielded during his rule! The tomb has several smaller pavilions - Jangli Mahal (Palace in the Woods), Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) and Badshah Pasand (King's Favourite) - the interiors of which have been beautifully ornamented in the typical Mughal style. The Archaeological Survey of India maintains a library over the main gateway, and it is a haven for all bookworms and history buffs.
India Gate
India Gate is located in New Delhi and is one of the most renowned historical monuments of the city. It is actually a war memorial that is dedicated to around 82000 soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War in the period 1914-21. The monument also has other memorial Amar Jawan Jyoti which has been built as a mark of respect for the soldiers who gave their lives during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. The monument was opened for display in1933. The monument is surrounded by green lawns and fountains. The historical monument was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar of DelhiIf you are an astronomy buff then Delhi has something for you. Jantar Mantar - the 18th century observatory. Sawai Jai Singh II built it in 1724 when commissioned by the then Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. The Jantar Mantar in Delhi is one of the five observatories that Jai Singh built in Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura. A keen astronomer the Maharaja felt that the existing observatories did not provide accurate information and so he built the larger and more accurate instruments. And this is a piece of engineering and scientific brilliance. The Jantar Mantar, however today, is a popular place for staging dharnas and protests. One is sure to come across at least one group of protestors while visiting the magnificent monument. Well, they are worth a visit too! There are buses, auto rickshaws and taxis, which can take one to the monument from any part of the city. And if one feels more comfortable in a conducted tour then there are several tourism offices that conduct them.
Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque. With minarets on all four sides that reach the skies, Jama Masjid, Emperor Shah Jahan’s last architectural indulgence, was commissioned in 1650 and took six years to be built. The enormous courtyard of the Jama Masjid can hold around twenty-five thousand worshippers.
The main prayer hall has a beautiful white ceiling and the entrance is decorated with high rising arches. There is a pool right in heart of the mosque that is used by the faithful for cleansings before prayer. Note that visitors are advised to dress modestly (shorts, short skirts or sleeveless tops are NOT allowed). Since it is a house of prayer, it is necessary to remove your shoes at the entrance.
Delhi is very well connected to most important cities of the world by international flights and important cities of India are connected by domestic flights as well as by road through national highways and by vast net-work of railways. Delhi is known for its many ancient monuments like the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid and the Red Fort, temples like the ISKCON Temple and Akshardham among others. Other than that, the city is also home to many beautiful parks and gardens, museums, galleries and cultural centres. Delhi is India's main entry point for overseas visitors. Delhi is well connected, making it easy for the overseas tourist to reach Delhi by air, rail or road.