The attraction of a large section of the major tourist destination locales within Delhi is due to its typical monuments built during three period separated by several centuries: the ancient age since the hoary days up to the 7th century AD; the medieval Mughal reign from the early part 16th century to the early phase of the 18th century; and also those structures constructed during the British raj – most of which were designed by noted British architect Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (March 29, 1869 – January 1, 1944). Renowned for his creative fusion designs in architecture, he is often referred to as the greatest British architect. He played the nodal role in not being the main designer but in also building a portion of New Delhi that served as the capital of British India and subsequently that of the Government of India. It is in recognition of his service in designing the metropolis that the place is also identified as ‘Lutyens’ Delhi’.
Image Source Wikipedia
Mughal era: The ones built during the Mughal regime include monuments like masjids or mosques, fortresses, huge symmetrical tombs surrounded by sprawling gardens (a style introduced in India by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan) and arches or gates reflecting confluences of Persian, Turkish and Indian styles. Most of these are to be found primarily in Delhi and Agra – their two capitals at different points of time. They are quite varied primarily due to their wide ranging styles of architectures constructed especially during the regimes of the four principal Mughal emperors – Akbar (1542-1605), Jehangir (1569-1627), Shah Jahan (1592-1666), and Aurangzeb (1618-1707). The greatest builder among them was Shah Jahan.
In fact, the Mughals heralded a new era in the domain of architecture in the Indian subcontinent. They include the first building of the Mughal era – Humayun’s Tomb – commissioned by his senior widow Haji Begum in his memory; the famed Taj Mahal in Agra (recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World today) constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved queen Nur Jahan; the Agra Fort and the other in Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar; the Red Fort in Delhi constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan; the Moti Masjid within the Red Fort built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb; the Jama Masjid in Delhi constructed by Shah Jahan; the Safdarjung’s Tomb built by the Nawab of Awadh, Nawab Siraj-ud-daulah, for his father; the Bulwand Darwaza built by Akbar after his victory over Gujarat with its imposing arch of 41 m height; Birbal’s House, Ibadat Khana, the tomb of Salim Chisti and the Panch Mahal, the palace of Jodha Bai, (all in Fatehpur Sikri); the exquisite marble tomb of Itimad-ud-daula, and the mausoleum of Akbar built at Sikandara near Agra during the reign of Jehangir among others. (Details are given below).
The main19 tourist destination spots in Delhi are the Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Birla Mandir, Red Fort, Moti Masjid, Jama Masjid, Memorials to leaders, Purana Quila, Qutub Minar, Iron Pillar, Akshardham temple, Bahai Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, Safdarjung’s Tomb, Parliament House, Teen Murti Bhawan, Iskon Temple, Feroz Shah Kotla, and Chatterpur Temple
Let’s check out each of them:
- Rashtrapati Bhawan
- India Gate
- Jantar Mantar
- Birla Mandir
- Red Fort
- Moti Masjid
- Jama Masjid
- Memorials to leaders
- Purana Quila
- Qutub Minar
- Iron Pillar
- Akshardham temple
- Bahai Temple (Lotus Temple)
- Humayun’s Tomb
- Safdarjung’s Tomb
- Parliament House
- Teen Murti Bhawan
- Iskcon Temple
- Feroz Shah Kotla
- Chattarpur Temple
