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Information guide on tourism in India

Tour to India

Delhi

» Qutub-Minar

Qutub-Minar in red and buff standstone is the highest tower in India. It has a diameter of 14.32m at the base and about 2.75m on the top with a height of 72.5m.

Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutab Minar in AD 1199. The minar was said to have been built to celebrate the victory of Mohammed Ghori, the invader from Afghanistan, over the Rajputs in 1192. He raised the first storey, to which were added three more storeys by his successor and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din IItutmish (AD 1211-36). All the storeys are surrounded by a projected balcony encircling the Minar and supported by stone brackets, which are decorated with honeycomb design, more conspicuously in the first storey.

Numerous inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari characters in different places of the Minar reveal the history of Qutb. According to the inscriptions on its surface it was repaired by Firoz Shah Tughlaq (AD 1351-88) and Sikandar Lodi (AD 1489-1517).

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, to the northeast of Minar was built by Qutbu'd-Din Aibak in AD 1198. It is the earliest mosque built by the Delhi Sultans. It consists of a rectangular courtyard enclosed by cloisters, erected with the carved columns and architectural members of 27 Hindu and Jain temples, which were demolished by Qutbu'd-Din Aibak as recorded in his inscription on the main eastern entrance.

» Humayun Ka Tomb

Humayun died in 1556, and his widow Hamida Banu Begam, also known as Haji Begam, commenced the construction of his tomb in 1569, fourteen years after his death. It is the first distinct example of proper Mughal style, which was inspired by Persian architecture. It is well known that Humayun picked up the principles of Persian architecture during his exile, and he himself is likely to have planned the tomb, although there is no record to that effect. The tomb was constructed at a cost of 15 lakh rupees (1.5 million).

Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian, was the architect employed by Haji Begam for this tomb. The tomb proper stands in the centre of a square garden, divided into four main parterres by causeways (charbagh), in the centre of which ran shallow water-channels. The high rubble built enclosure is entered through two lofty double-storeyed gateways on the west and south. A baradari (pavilion) occupies the centre of the eastern wall and a hammam (bath chamber) in the centre of northern wall.

» Red Fort

Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and laid the foundation of Red Fort, or the Lal Quila, on 16th April 1639. It took nine years to build this mighty citadel and it got completed on 16th April 1648. It is said that about one crore rupees, an astronomical sum in those days, was spent on its construction. Half of this sum was spent to build the exotic palaces within the fort. Built of red sandstone, it is octagonal in shape, with two longer sides on the east and west.

The perimeter of its strong ramparts is about 2.41 km. Red Fort rises to a height of 33.5 m on the town side and 18 m along the river. A wide moat surrounds the fort, which was originally connected with the river and was always filled with water. The two main gateways, known as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate (named so, as they face Lahore and Delhi respectively), are three storeys high and are flanked by semi-octagonal towers. They are situated on the centre of the western and southern sides respectively.

» Diwan-i-Am

Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience is situated in the Red Fort of Delhi. It originally had a courtyard on its front and was richly ornamented with gilded stuccowork. Heavy curtains graced the main hall, which were three bays in depth.

» Hamam

Accompanying the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Selective Audience, the Hamam (bathroom set) consists of three apartments interconnected by corridors. The marble floors and dados are inlaid with beautiful floral patterns of multi-colored stones.

» Moti Masjid

The personal mosque of Aurungzeb, Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque lies to the west of Hamam. Situated on a higher level than courtyards, the prayer-hall of the mosque has inlaid black-marble outlines of 'musallas' (small carpets for prayers) and is surmounted by three bulbous domes.

» Mumtaz Mahal

One of the original six main-palaces situated along the river front, Mumtaz Mahal was also known as 'Chhoti Baithak'. A beautiful water channel called 'Nahr-i-Bihisht' (meaning Stream of Paradise) flew through these palaces. However, this palace has been removed, probably because it was totally in ruins.

Naubat Khana Naubat Khana, or Naqqar Khana (meaning the Drum House), is situated at the entrance of the palace area. Here music was played five times a day at the appointed hours. It housed a gate known as 'Hathi Pol' (Elephant Gate), where visitors dismounted from their elephants.

» Rashtrapati Bhawan

The Rashtrapati Bhawan is an eminent monument of British Empire which is said to be the palace of the Viceroy of India. Rashtrapati Bhawan of Delhi is considered to be the best known monument of India next to glorious Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar.

Rashtrapati Bhawan is the house of the President of India. It is a real masterpiece that was built in the British period. It is the focal point of New Delhi and situated in the Raisina Hills. The total cost of constructing the Rashtrapati Bhawan crossed £12,53,000 in British India.

» Raj path

Rajpath extending from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan is the central avenue of Delhi. This area was designed and built in a colonial style by the British architect Edwin Lutyens and his friend Sir Herbert Baker to house the Government Buildings since the year of 1931. The Rajpath of Delhi was formerly known as King's Way. The Rajpath in Delhi has the Rashtrapati Bhavan at the top of the Raisina Hill, to its west and the India Gate on the east.

Rajpath hosts the brilliant parade on 26th of January, which is the Indian Republic Day. The grand military parade, which is participated by the best of the NCC cadets from across the country is a great attraction to all. As Rajpath is surrounded by all the politically important places and buildings, the area has high security and protection.

» National Museum

National Museum, New Delhi, today , has in its possession over 2,00,000 works of exquisite art, both of Indian and Foreign origin covering more than 5,000 years of our cultural heritage. Its rich holdings of various creative traditions and disciplines which represents a unity amidst diversity, an unmatched blend of the past with the present and strong perspective for the future, brings history to life.

 
Monuments In India

Lotus Temple Delhi
qutub minar (Delhi)
Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Taj Mahal Agra
  Forts & Palaces of India

Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Jaisalmer Fort Jaisalmer
City Palace Jaipur
Lalgarh Palace Bikaner

Wildlife Sanctuaries
In India

Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
B R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

 
Wildlife Parks In India

Bandhavgarh National Park
Corbett National Park
Ranthambore National Park
Kaziranga National Park
  Fairs & Festival of India

Onnam Kerala
Pushkar Festival
Baisakhi Punjab
Pongal

  Temples In India

Birla Mandir Delhi
Iskon Temple Delhi
Jama Masjid Delhi
Sun Temple Konarak

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