Delhi is the most important place for tourist as it can not be neglect because of its monuments. Historically, Delhi is said to have been founded in the 11th century A.D. Butlegend and popular belief ascribe the beginnings of the city to the days of the Mahabharata, for Delhi is believed to have been the site of the legendary city of Indraprastha, the splendid home of the Pandavas. Be that as it may, the last one thousand years have witnessed the birth and the rise and fall of innumerable kingdoms in the seven cities of Delhi. Seven by tradition, but more than twice the number if one takes into account the numerous forts and fortresses built by various dynasties over the centuries. And, each of these earlier Delhis from the Pandavas' Indraprastha to Anang Pal Tomar's Lal Kot, from Prithvi Raj's Pithora to Shahjahanabad and Lutyen's New Delhi has survived to the present day in one form or the other, physically, culturally or spiritually. Today's Delhi is therefore a blend of all the earlier Delhis their traditions, cultures and beliefs an amalgam of the ancient, the medieval and the modern, which co-exist and combine in numerous ways.

New Delhi which constitutes a major portion of the area having grown at a phenomenal pace during the last fifty years is the Indian capital. An exceedingly beautiful city with a profusion of gardens, it is also the country's most important political, commercial and cultural centre.

Along with its twin city of Delhi or Old Delhi, New Delhi offers the tourist, especially cultural tourist, a wealth of monumental attractions ancient, medieval and modern. Besides, the city's excellent tourist infrastructure the numerous modern hotels make it one of the world's most exciting convention centres. And of course, Delhi is today one of the two (with Mumbai) most important gateways to India.

ACCESS

Being the national capital and one of India's principal gateway cities, New Delhi is excellently connected by rail, air and road with various parts of the country. And, internationally it is directly airlinked to most of the world's important cities.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Monuments

Red Fort:
The seat of the Mughal Empire, it is a huge fort housing within its precincts imposing palaces and impressive public buildings, such as Diwan-i-Am (hall for public audience), Diwan-i-Khas (hall for private audience); Rang Mahal (a water -cooled apartment for royal ladies); Sheesh Mahal (retiring apartments); Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque -

(built of white marble). A sound-and-light show is conducted during the evenings (in Hindi and in English). Entry to the Fort is free on Sundays.

Purana Qila:
It was built by Sher Shah Suri and was also the seat of the Mughals. It is also believed to be the site of Indraprastha of the Mahabharata era. Son-et-lumiere or sound-and-light show is also held here during the evenings (in Hindi and in English).

Humayun's Tomb:
Humayun's widow got this sandstone mausoleum built to house the mortal remains of her dead husband. The tombs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, Jahanara and Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib are situated close by.

Qutub Minar:
Highest ever tower to be built in India, it rises to a height of 73 metres. It is an 11th century victory tower built by the slave king Qutubuddin Aibak and later completed by his successor Iltutmish.

Jantar Mantar:
It is a stone astronomical observatory commissioned by the builder of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh.

Feroz Shah Kotla:
Extensive ruins of a lost city, Ferozabad, the fifth Delhi, founded by Feroz Shah Tughlak in 1354 AD. Little remains of the three palaces, eight mosques and hunting lodges. However, the most striking feature is the `Ashoka Pillar'- a monolithic tapering column of polished sandstone dating back to the 3rd century B.C



India Gate:
This modern memorial arch was built in homage to the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I and whose names are inscribed on it. Also referred to, in history, as an All India War Memorial, an eternal flame has been lit, the Amar Jawan Jyoti, to honour the Unknown soldier.

Hauz Khas:
Named after the great reservoir (hauz) built in 1305 by Alauddin Khilji for use by the citizens of siri, there are the remains of the second Delhi.The most interesting portion is a college where the cells for the scholars were ingeniously designed to remain cool in summer and warm in winter.

Tughlakabad:
Attracting the eye from a distance are the massive ramparts of Tughlakabad, the third city of Delhi. the fort has 13 gates.

Safdarjang's Tomb:
Built in 1753-54 by Nawab Suja-ud-Daulah for his father, the second Nawab of Oudh and Prime Minister to Emperor Muhammad Shah. The layout is identical to the `charbagh' garden of Humayun's Tomb.

Shamsi Talab and Jahaz Mahal:
A water reservoir in a terraced garden built in 1230 by Iltutmish. A chhatri or canopy is built over a faint footprint said to be that of the Prophet. In the Shamsi Talab is the Jahaz Mahal, probably built in the Lodi period (1451-1526), which may have served as a pleasure resort. Every year the Mahal is the venue of the Phool walon-ki-Sair or Sair-i-Gulfaroshan.

Buildings

Parliament House:
An impressive circular colonnaded building 171 metres in diameter, it houses the Indian Parliament.

Rashtrapati Bhawan:
Formerly the Viceregal Palace, Rashtrapati Bhawan is currently the residence of the President of India and is situated at the head of the architectural concept of Edwin Lutyens on Raisina Hill.

Supreme Court:
Built in the imperial style, it houses the highest seat of judicial authority in the country.