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OLD
FORT
It
is 4 km away from Connaught Circus to the S-East of India
Gate, the foundation of this Fort was started by Humayun in
1530 but remained incomplete as he was defeated by Afghan
hero Sher-Shah-Suri in 1541. It is located in the
pre-historical Indraprastha (as is surveyed and proved in
1955 findings) of the Mahabharata and completed by Sher Shah
as the 6th city or Killa or the Fort. Later it was named
Shergarh.
On the 3 sides by Jamuna. From 3rd BC to pre-Mughal period,
there was fort in Indraprastha. Humayun built a new one.
Old Indraprastha became Dinpanaha. The Fort was encircled
with high walls having 3 main entrances. Entering through
the Zoo Garden or the Talaki Entrance of north, you will see
the octogonal peaks made of sand stones on Sher Manzil.
After the death of Sher-Shah-Suri in 1548, Humayun
recaptured Delhi in 1555 defeating Sher Shah' son Islam
Shah. Humayun also destroyed Shergarh. However, Sher Manjil
founded by Sher Shah became Humayun's library.
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QUTUB MINAR
13 km to the south of Connaught Circus at
Lalkote of 8th century Tomor Rajputs, the
72.5 m high Victory Pillar stands as a
victory stand of a Muslim King
Kutub-ud-din-Aibak in India. At Kila Roy
Pithora, on the dilapidated fort of the last Hindu
king Prithwiraj, this victory stand was made
like throne in Gajni. In 1199 Kutub-ud-Din
started its construction and it was
completed in 1236 by Iltutmish, the
son-in-law of Kutub. However, there is a 2nd
opinion. Some say, the construction came to
an end around 1357-68 during the reign of
Feroz Sah Tughlak.
However, the Kutub which was built in Afghan
style underwent repairing and remaking for
more than occasions. Revolving steps of
flights are 367 in number in slightly leaned
Kutub. It has some spl features- at its root
the radius is being 14.40 m which gradually
reduced at its top to 2.44 m. In Kupee
language it has been inscribed on Kutub
that- The Tower was erected to cast the
shadow of God over both East and West.
Aayaat from Quran is also inscribed. At the
foot of the Minar a Mosque was built in
1197.
The 5 storeyed Qutub Minar is a remarkable
instance of sculpture in India. The 1st
floor made of sand stone by Kutub, the 2nd
& 3rd floors made of sand stone by
Iltutmis and the 4th and 5th in both sand
stone and marble by Feroz Shah Tughlok in
1368.
However, the earthquake of 1803 destroyed it
, in 1829 British Major Robert Smith
re-built the tomb. Later the tomb was
brought down from the Minar and reset it in
the garden beside. In 1981, some students
died of stampade while on their way up the
steps of flights. Since then, ascending 5th
floor is forbidden and not more than a group
of 4 at a time is permitted to ascent only
upto 1st floor of Kutub. Recently, Kutub is
enshrined with huge lighting. .........................................................................................................
INDIA GATE
Straight
down the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan along a
magnificent view and totally unhampered drive is
India Gate, which is primarily a memorial to the
Unknown Soldier. Designed by Lutyens, the 42 metre
high structure is a war memorial in honor of the
soldiers who died during the Second World War. The
imposing structure from where stretch massive lush
green lawns has an eternal flame (amar jawan jyoti)
to honor the memory of the unknown soldiers. A
popular picnic spot, one can see hoarders of
people moving about the area and on the lawns on
summer evenings.
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HUMAYUN'S
TOMB
This
tomb, which was built by emperor Humayun's wife,
took eight years to complete and is regarded as an
example of the early Mughal architecture. The
emperor's wife, Begai Begum, was buried in the
tomb and the structure is the first of its kind
built in the centre of a well-planned garden. The
combination of white marble and red sandstone was
a great influence on later Mughal architecture. It
is generally regarded as a prototype of the famed
Taj Mahal of Agra.
SAFDARJUNG TOMB
It is 5 km to the S-West from Connaught Place at
Arvind Marg on the way to Kutub. Between 1753-74,
Nawab Suja-ud-Dulla erected Safdarjung on the
graveyard of Nawab of Ayodhya Mirza Mukim Abul
Mansur Khan, like the tomb of Humayun. In the
middle of Mughal Garden Charbagh, it is the last
tomb or graveyard of 40 ft high. On the 4 sides,
there are 4 stone made Azan Minar. In the
courtyard, there is rose garden.
Beside it, mini airport, Safdarjung of Delhi
Flying Club is located. In 1980, Sanjay Gandhi
died in an air crash in this airport. Adjacent to
the south, there is the battle field, where
Mahammad Shah Tughlak was defeated by Taimur in 12
Dec, 1398.
THE GRAVEYARD OF MEHMOOD
The oldest graveyard of India lies at 4.08 km to
the west of Kutub on way to Palam. It is built in
1229 in Hindu-Muslim sculptural combination.
Mahmood the son of Iltutmis is laid here at rest.
Very few tourists come here to visit due to no
publicity.
At a little distant, close to the ruin of 4th
Delhi city Jahanpana, there is Khirki Mosque built
in 1380 by a Nazir of Feroz Shah Tughlak. At a
little distance at the crossing of Aurobinda Marg
and Panchshil Marg there is Begumpuri Mosque built
in 14th century by Khan-e-Jahan.
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