Heritage of Delhi

The Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Jay Singh II founded it. A little distance of Connaught Circus at Sansad Marg it was built in 1725. It is space observatory a house that is instrumental in observing astronomical and aeronotical movements of sun, moon and other stars and planets. The huge Prince Dial is unique. It is next to that similar one in Jaipur in size and grade. There are other Jantar-Mantars in Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura. Open from 9-00 to 19-00. There is one Bhairab Temple as old as Jantar-Mantar.
 

It is 4 km away from Connaught Circus to the S-East of India Gate, the foundation of this Fort was started by Humayun in 1530 but remained incomplete as he was defeated by Afghan hero Sher-Shah-Suri in 1541. It is located in the pre-historical Indraprastha (as is surveyed and proved in 1955 findings) of the Mahabharata and completed by Sher Shah as the 6th city or Killa or the Fort. Later it was named Shergarh.

On the 3 sides by Jamuna. From 3rd BC to pre-Mughal period, there was fort in Indraprastha. Humayun built a new one.
Old Indraprastha became Dinpanaha. The Fort was encircled with high walls having 3 main entrances. Entering through the Zoo Garden or the Talaki Entrance of north, you will see the octogonal peaks made of sand stones on Sher Manzil. After the death of Sher-Shah-Suri in 1548, Humayun recaptured Delhi in 1555 defeating Sher Shah' son Islam Shah. Humayun also destroyed Shergarh. However, Sher Manjil founded by Sher Shah became Humayun's library.

In 1556, hearing Muezzin Azaan he intended to attend the prayer and coming out from his library he suddenly fell down from the stair cases and died 3 days later. Red grey colour bow-shape arch of Sher Shah gate is beautiful.

Behind Sher Manzil on the right at Humayun (Red) Darwaja or Entrance is Field Museum with the collection of (open 8-00 to 18-30) anthropological exhibits. The museum has a collections of Mughal dynasty, Sultanate dynasty, Rajput dynasty, Gupta dynasty, Sunga dynasty, Mourya dynasty and of the era before Christ.
The coin collections of Sunga dynasty (200-100 BC) is remarkable. Killa-e-Kuhana Mosque founded by Sher Shah in Indo-Afghan sculpture is unique. However, the killa is on the rage of ruin now. Highway are made through this killa. On the right of this killa is Zoo Garden at a little distance, Hazrat Nizamuddin Rly Stn.

The new attraction of Old Fort is Sound & Light show. By the light of renowned Tapas Sen, the rise and fall of Delhi from Indraprastha to Mughal era becomes live in Sound & Light show, duration of which is 1 hr. Voice given by Jaya Bachhan, Om Puri and others. English version: Sept-Oct & Feb- April 20-30 to 21-30, Nov-Jan 19-30-21-30, May-Aug 21-00-22-00; Hindi: 19-00-20-00/18-00-19-00/19-30-20-30hr. Ticket 25, Free upto 5 yrs old,
 

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13 km to the south of Connaught Circus at Lalkote of 8th century Tomor Rajputs, the 72.5 m high Victory Pillar stands as a victory stand of a Muslim King Kutub-ud-din-Aibak in India. At Kila Roy Pithora, on the dilapidated fort of the last Hindu king Prithwiraj, this victory stand was made like throne in Gajni. In 1199 Kutub-ud-Din started its construction and it was completed in 1236 by Iltutmish, the son-in-law of Kutub. However, there is a 2nd opinion. Some say, the construction came to an end around 1357-68 during the reign of Feroz Sah Tughlak.
However, the Kutub which was built in Afghan style underwent repairing and remaking for more than occasions. Revolving steps of flights are 367 in number in slightly leaned Kutub. It has some spl features- at its root the radius is being 14.40 m which gradually reduced at its top to 2.44 m. In Kupee language it has been inscribed on Kutub that- The Tower was erected to cast the shadow of God over both East and West. Aayaat from Quran is also inscribed. At the foot of the Minar a Mosque was built in 1197.
The 5 storeyed Qutub Minar is a remarkable instance of sculpture in India. The 1st floor made of sand stone by Kutub, the 2nd & 3rd floors made of sand stone by Iltutmis and the 4th and 5th in both sand stone and marble by Feroz Shah Tughlok in 1368.
However, the earthquake of 1803 destroyed it , in 1829 British Major Robert Smith re-built the tomb. Later the tomb was brought down from the Minar and reset it in the garden beside. In 1981, some students died of stampade while on their way up the steps of flights. Since then, ascending 5th floor is forbidden and not more than a group of 4 at a time is permitted to ascent only upto 1st floor of Kutub. Recently, Kutub is enshrined with huge lighting
 

Another marvel of architecture is the Red Fort and it could perhaps be singled out as yet another monument, which should not escape the tourist's eyes. Known as lal qila (lal means red and qila means fort). It is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon.
It is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 Kilometers in circumference and is built of Red Sandstone. The Mughal King Shah Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and the fort was completed in 1648, nine years after the king shifted to this city. The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate, which faces the famed Chandni Chowk market.
Shah Jahan, incidentally was also the king who built the Taj Mahal of Agra. The fort has the Diwan-e-am, where the king would grant audience to the public to listen to their problems. The other feature is the Diwan-e-Khas (khas means special) where the king would grant audience to important people.
Besides this, is the Rang Mahal, the water-cooled apartment for the royal ladies. In the basement of the fort is a market where several traditional Indian goods can be purchased at nominal rates. Another attraction is the Light and Sound Show held in the evenings. 
 

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