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History
To go right back into an era where mythology
and history are too closely intertwined, it is believed that
Delhi, then known as Indraprashtha, was the scene of action of
India’s great epic, the Mahabharata. Periodic archeological
excavations bring in more and more evidence to support this
contention.Thereafter, historians say there have been seven cities
of Delhi. If you count the smaller settlements and forts, the
number may touch fifteen. Each city has left behind so much story
and material for rumination that it requires many a lifetime to
know them all completely.
Modern Delhi, or New Delhi as it is called, centers
around Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is architecturally a very impressive
building standing at a height, flowing down as it were to India
Gate. This stretch called the Rajpath is where the Republic Day
parade is held. The imposing plan of this area conceived by
Lutyens does not fade in its charm with the numerous summers or
winters that go past.
Recorded
history exists from the 11th century when Dillika, as this little
town was known, found its focal point south of where it is now.
This kingdom was known as Lal Kot. The famous ruler of this line
of Tomars was called Prithvi Raj Chauhan. He is said to have built
many temples and a huge fort called Qila Rai Pithora.
However,
their 200-year-old rule culminated with the arrival of the first
set of invaders—the Slave Dynasty. One of the rulers of this
dynasty, Qutub-ud-din Aibak, built the tall Qutab Minar. The Qutab
Minar has five floors. It is 72.55-m high with a base diameter of
14.40 tapering to 2.4 m at the top.
Delhi remains
the center of power. Once it was a city of royal power. Then it
became the seat of colonial power. Later it was the seat of
bureaucratic power. The seat of political power it has always
been. Today it is emerging as an important center for corporate
power too.
The most
fascinating aspect of this city is its cosmopolitan nature. You
can find the whole of India in its little colonies and structures.
Contemporary times will be far more difficult to record for
tomorrow’s history
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Culture
Delhi has attracted people
from all parts of the country leading to the establishment of
different cultural pockets. As the Punjabis are the most dominant
section here, the culture has a distinctive flavour of sarson da
sag. Much has also been borrowed and adapted from Western culture,
a process accelerated since independence by the influence of the
modern mass media. Although the cultural activities of earlier
days--such as dancing, music, and poetry forums, 'mushaira' --have
been yielding place to the cinema, the cabaret, and clubs, there
are also theatre groups and institutions that have fostered
indigenous literature and fine arts. Languages commonly used are
Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English.
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