Historical Information about Delhi, India

Oct 25
10:55

2016

Yamin Raj

Yamin Raj

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Historical Information True about Delhi Facts like Area, Altitude, Population, Temperature, Monsoon Season, Best time to visit in Delhi India and many more information about facts of Delhi Truism

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Area: 1,483 sq. km

Latitudinal parallel: 28.3ºN

Longitudinal meridian: 77.13ºE

Altitude: 293 m above sea level

Population: 12.8 million

Average Temperature: 45ºC (Max) — usually in May–Jun,Historical Information about Delhi, India Articles 5ºC (Min) — usually in Dec–Jan

Desirable Clothes: Woollen for winters and light cotton for summers

Rainfall: 1,272 mm

Monsoon: July to mid-September

Season: Extreme climate with very hot summer and very cold winter

Best time to visit: October to March

STD Code: 011.

Languages: Hindi, English, Urdu and Punjabi

Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Baha’i Faith

Delhi is a city of many layers. It bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings.

Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium. Many a city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt here. Interestingly, many of Delhi’s rulers played a dual role, first as destroyers and then as creators. The city’s importance lies not just in its past glory as the seat of empires and magnificent monuments, but also in the rich and diverse cultures. No wonder chroniclers of Delhi culture — from Chand Bardai and Amir Khusro to William Dalrymple and film-maker Dibakar Banerjee — are never at a loss for topics. For first-timers, Delhi can seem chaotic and confusing with its crazy traffic. But scratch the surface and you will discover that the city is sprinkled with dazzling gems: captivating ancient monuments, fascinating museums and art galleries, architectural wonders, vivacious performing-arts scene, fabulous eating places and bustling markets. Delhi has been the political hub of India. Every political activity in the country traces its roots here.

This was true even of the mythological era. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata had their capital at Indraprastha, which is believed to have been geographically located in today’s Delhi. Now that Delhi is hosting the Commonwealth Games (CWG), it has staked its claim to becoming a global city. However, there are challenges galore. In the era of Kyoto Protocol, environment has to be the foremost concern. With Delhi switching over to CNG, the air has become a lot cleaner. If only the Yamuna could be restored to its pristine glory! Besides, the commuting needs of the burgeoning population have to be met and the large network of the Delhi Metro efficiently planned. CWG 2010 has kindled hope in the heart of Delhi. If the talk of “an Asian century” turns into a reality, the future certainly lies here. The world may soon say, “Dilli chalo!”

History at a Glance

1500 BC: The earliest mention of a settlement at Delhi is found in the Mahabharata, which refers to a city called Indraprastha built around

1500 BC: under the guidance of Yudhisthira, the Pandava king.

100 BC:  According to legend, Raja Dhilu founded “Dilli”.

AD 736: The real foundations of Delhi were laid by the Tomar Rajput rulers, who also built the fortified Lal Kot near Mehrauli.

1180: The Chauhans, who ousted the Tomars, established Qila Rai Pithora, which was regarded as the first city of Delhi.

1191: Muhammad Ghori captured Delhi.

1206: Muhammad Ghori was assassinated. His lieutenant Qutub-ud-din Aibak crowned himself Sultan of Delhi and established the Slave Dynasty of Delhi or the Delhi Sultanate.

1236: Sultan Razia succeeded father Iltutmish and is perhaps the only Muslim woman to have sat on the throne of Delhi.

1290: Ala-ud-din Khilji, the most dynamic Delhi Sultan, came to power in Delhi. The Slave Dynasty came to an end.

1303: Ala-ud-din Khilji set up the second city of Siri in Delhi’s southern area. This area is known as Hauz Khas today.

1320: After Ala-ud-din Khilji’s death Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq proclaimed himself Sultan.

1325: Tughlakabad Fort was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq.

1334: Muhammad bin Tughlaq built the new city of Jahanpanah.

1354: Feroz Shah Tughlaq built Ferozabad, the fifth city of Delhi.

1398: The Tughlaq line came to an end when Timur (Tamerlane), a Central Asian Turk, sacked Delhi.

1526: Mughal rule started in India.

1530: Babur died and was succeeded by his son, Humayun.

1540: Humayun was driven to Persia for 15 years subsequent to the loss of his throne to the Afghan king, Sher Shah.

1545: Sher Shah died while fighting against the Rajputs. He was succeeded by Islam Shah, his son.

1555: Humayun returned from Kabul to recapture Delhi.

1556: Humayun died. Akbar ascended the throne and the capital shifted to Agra.

1628: Delhi was again made the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Shah Jahan, Akbar’s grandson.

1648: The construction of Red Fort or Lal Qila was completed.

1707: Aurangzeb died. This resulted in a rapid decline in the fortunes of the Mughal Empire.

1724: Jantar Mantar was built.

1739: Persian invader Nadir Shah ordered a massacre.

1754: Safdarjung’s Tomb was built by Shuja-ud-Daula for his father, Mirza Khan, popularly known as Safdarjung.

1760: The Marathas and the Jats combined forces against the Mughals and besieged and looted the Red Fort, but did not take power.

1803: The British took control of Delhi after defeating the Marathas.

1805: Around this time, Shah Alam the Mughal emperor and his family were getting pension from the British.

1806: Shah Alam was succeeded by his son Akbar Shah.

1837: Bahadur Shah succeeded Akbar Shah.

1857: Delhi became the focal point for the Indian Independence Movement.

1877: The Imperial Durbar was held to declare Queen Victoria as India’s Empress.

1903: Edward VII was declared the Emperor of India.

1911: The capital of the British Empire was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. George V was declared the Emperor of British India.

1912: An attempt was made to assassinate the Viceroy with a bomb attack.

1931: Delhi was officially inaugurated as the capital of British India.

1947: India became independent.

1948: Mahatama Gandhi was assassinated.

1950: Delhi was made the capital of Independent India.

1956: Delhi was made a Union Territory.

1962: Master plan for Delhi was drawn up.

1985: National Capital Region was demarcated.

1992: Delhi was declared a state.

2001: The Parliament of India was attacked.

2002: Delhi Metro started its operations. All public transport buses were converted to CNG.

2003: New Delhi was chosen to host the Commonwealth Games

2010: Delhi Metro was built at a cost of US$2.3 billion and the Phase-II was expected to cost an additional 216 billion (US$3.2 billion).total length of 128 km and was completed by 2010.

2012: Delhi Metro completed 10 years of operation on 25 December 2012. It carries millions of passengers every day. In addition to the Delhi Metro, a suburban railway, the Delhi Suburban Railway exists