History of Delhi India

Derived from the Urdu word of Dahleez, 'Delhi' justifies its name as it has been the capital of seven empires in the Indian history. The history of Delhi traces back to the times of Mahabharata which, referred Delhi as Indraprastha which was supposed to have been founded by the Pandavas in early 1450 B.C.

Summing up the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the intricate streets that pass through mosques, monuments and forts. One will also discover lively and colourful bazaars of Chandni Chowk that boast to cater all sorts of goods and items in the middle of a pleasurable chaotic ambience. The imperial city of New Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj.

Around 320 AD, the Gupta and the Maurya dynasties used to rule the capital city of Indraprastha. The first city was believed to have been built in the 12th century AD and was captured by Muslims in 1193 and became capital of a Muslim empire in India under Qutubuddin Aybak. The slave Kings and the Khaljis were the followers who ruled for more than a century. Then saw the mergence of the Tughlaks in the early 15th century. Delhi remained the Mughal capital until 1739, and in 1771 Marathas gained control and ruled until British forces detained the city in 1803. The decline of the Mughal Empire, since the death of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, in 1707 had led to territorial gains for the Maratha Confederacy. In 1761, Delhi was raided by Ahmed Shah Abdali after the Third battle of Panipat. After Indian Rebellion of 1857, Calcutta was declared the capital of British India but in 1911 the capital was again moved to Delhi.When India gained independence in 1947, New Delhi was declared as its capital and seat of government. In 1956 Delhi was converted into a Union territory.