Officially known as the National Capital Territory (NCT), Delhi is also a union territory of India. It is the second-most populous city of our country after Mumbai with a massive population of around 2 crores. The neighboring cities around Delhi such as Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, etc also come under the Central National Capital Region simply because they share their boundary with Delhi.
It is interesting to know that Delhi has been inhabited since the 6th century BCE. However, history has not been so kind to Delhi as it was ransacked and looted over a period of some hundred years, Specifically during the medieval period. What makes Delhi stand out among the rest, is the fact that after all of this it still stands tall and prideful in the face of adversity. Delhi has also been associated with many myths, and legends belonging to different eras.
One such legend states that Delhi was established by a king named Dhillu or Dillu around 50 BCE. He had named the city on his name. Another story states that it has been named on the word Dhili which means to be loose. This name was used by the Tomaras who saw that the foundation of the iron pillar in Delhi was quite weak and had to be moved. But anyhow, despite all of this, the nature of the people belonging to Delhi has been always good. And it is mainly because of this that they are also referred to as Delhiites or Dilliwallas in a sweet way.
Right from the architectural wonders to its rich culture, Delhi has every bit of a reason to be explored and visited. No matter if you are a traveler, shopaholic, culture lover, food connoisseur, or anything, Delhi will not disappoint you.
Best Time to Visit Delhi
Summers remains quite hot in Delhi, however, one can experience a little decrease in the temperature during the monsoon. The winter/spring is the best time to visit Delhi as during this time the temperature remains ideal.
History of Delhi
It is said that the city of Delhi was first inhabited in the 2nd Millenium BCE. Apart from that, many strong pieces of evidence of life had been found in these geographical boundaries, belonging to the 6th Century BCE. These were in the form of artifacts and other historical remains.
Many experts and historians believe that this site is the same as that of Indraprastha which was the city ruled by the Pandavas. There was also a time when this place was known as the Khandavaprastha which had to be burnt down to build the city of Indraprastha in its place.
Late Medival Period of Delhi
It was in 1192 that King Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated by Muhammad of Ghori, a Muslim invader from Afghanistan. Apparently, he had tried to invade Delhi many times earlier in the past as well.
At that point in time, who knew that the Muslim rule would last around 5 centuries under the rule of Turk, Mughal, and Lodi dynasties combined, and after which the Britishers would loot us for another couple of hundred years. When in 1206 BCE, Ghori died, many of his territories were fractured. Owing to this, many of his generals had seized this opportunity to form their own territories.
Then, it was the year 1526 when Babur invaded India. He was essentially a dacoit who successfully defeated the last Lodi Sultan of Delhi in a battle that happened in Panipat and thus founded the Mughal empire. The Mughal dynasty ruled Delhi for a period of around 3 centuries. The death of Aurangzeb saw the end of the Mughal empire and the rise of the British empire as well.
Colonial Period and Post-Independence
It was the year 1803, during the second Anglo-Indian Maratha war when the British forces defeated the Marathas in the battle of Delhi. And during the Indian rebellion of 1857, Delhi again fell to the hands of East India Company after an intense battle, which later on came to be known as Siege of Delhi.
The name New Delhi was given to the city in 1927 and it was on February 13, 1931, that Delhi, also known as Lutyens Delhi, was officially made the union capital of India.
Major Attractions in and Around Delhi
1. Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's Tomb is known as the resting place of Mughal Emperor Humayun and is sited at the Nizamuddin East location of Delhi. The architecture of this place is really good and it stands among one of the famous monument structures in Delhi.
2. Hauz Khas Village
Hauz Khas stands as a well-known tourist spot in Delhi. It's a place with beautiful buildings and magnificent Islamic architecture along with well-established green parks. Hauz Khas is mainly known for its nightlife, a number of offbeat cafes, bars, and pubs.
3. Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar is the world’s tallest brick minaret with a height of approximately 240 ft. The construction of this historical site took place in 1192 under the supervision of Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak.
4. India Gate
India Gate is sited at Rajpath in New Delhi and is one of the most significant historical structures. The overall aura of this place is quite amazing to witness. One can feel the honour surging within while looking at this incredible monument.
5. National Zoological Park
National Zoological Park is located close to the Old Fort in Delhi. It is also famous as a weekend spot among kids and adults alike. Here one can find some of the most amazing and rare species of animals and birds.
How to Reach Delhi
Delhi is the kind of place which brings together a lot of things under one roof. Yes, it is just the perfect blend of the modern world, while also showcasing the remnants of Indian history, beliefs, and traditions. If you want to know what India is all about then, you mustn't miss traveling to its capital city, Delhi. It is located at an approximate distance of 2,169, 1,422, 1,518 km from Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kolkata respectively. Here is how you can travel to Delhi by the following means of public transportation.
By Air
Delhi has its own airport which is the Indira Gandhi International Airport and is also one of the busiest airports in the country. It has great connectivity via other nearby and major Indian cities. Once you deboard at the airport, you can easily find a cab, auto, or bus to reach your respective destination.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Delhi
By Train
Getting a train to the capital city of our country is not hard at all. You can easily catch a train from almost any city. As per your convenience, you can consider deboarding at Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal, Old Delhi Train station, or at Nizamuddin. Once off the train, you can easily take a cab or some other means of transportation to reach your destination.
If you are living in Uttar Pradesh or Haryana, you can also consider traveling to Delhi by metro. From Haryana, you will need to board the metro from Huda City Centre station on the yellow line. If residing in Noida, then you can board the metro from Noida Electronic City on the blue line. The fare is somewhere between INR 50-100.
By Road
Travelling via road to Delhi will only add to the list of your fun experiences. It has good road connectivity via motorable roads and national highways from nearby cities like Chandigarh, Lucknow, Agra, and various other cities. You can book interstate or private buses to reach here. Otherwise, you can also hire a cab or if that doesn't suit you, take your own vehicle to travel to Delhi.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
