Standing tall as a part of the Delhi skyline since 1192 when the first Muslim ruler of Delhi- Qutbuddin Aibak– settled here and started building a victory tower, there’s a lot that this minar has seen. Many a ruler built over and renovated it (Iltutmish, Feroze Shah Tughlaq, even Lord Hardinge). Some even tried to…
Category: 2. The Sultanate
Pic-A-Day Project: Music of the Soul
Thursday evening will bring many followers to the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin, the 14th century Sufi saint of the Chishtiya order who’s still revered by thousands of people in Delhi and around. And at his shrine you can still see a rendition of Qawwali on many a spiritual Thursday. The credit for creating the Qawwali…
Pic-A-Day Project: City of Baolis
In the scorching heat of summer, imagine an age when there were no ACs to cool you… Horrible thought? But what if you could simply step down into a deep baoli and relax within its cool recesses? Or say, enter one of the arched rooms lining the step-well for an afternoon chat with friends? If…
Pic-A-Day Project: For the love of God!
This is the dargah or shrine of a Central Asian mystic by the name of Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, who was the disciple and successor of Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. Bakhtiyar Kaki was a prominent Sufi saint who spread the message of love in pre-Mughal Delhi, and his shrine in Mehrauli is revered by thousands to…
Pic-A-Day Project: The Old and the New
An airplane flies into the sunset, while the Iron Pillar stands stoically in the Qutb Complex, having experienced many ups and downs in Delhi’s history ever since it was planted here in the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya of the Gupta dynasty (4th century AD). The Jain temples of the area fell apart, Afghans came, established…
Pic-A-Day Project: Flowers for thee…
On the 4th day of this series, we present to you a park like no other.Lodi Gardens is the serene enclosure within which lies a royal necropolis.The Lodi and Sayed kings lie in peace within beautiful mausoleums surrounded by lovely blooms, and the city folk of the 21st century enjoy walking their dogs and exercising…
Wonder where this is?
Hello friends! Ready for a challenging quiz today? Tell us what and where this monument is! Latest update: This is the picture of Bijai Mandal from the city of Jahanpanah, the 4th city of Delhi built by Emperor Muhammad bin Tughlaq (whom many would remember from old history lessons as a brilliant but crazy king who…
Forgotten mosque | Madhi Masjid, Delhi
Today is World Heritage Day, or more formally, the International Monuments and Sites Day, a day dedicated to raise public awareness about the natural and cultural heritage of the world. What an apt opportunity for me to share with you some pictures of a beautiful old mosque that I came upon recently!
Gory Story | Chor Minar, Delhi
You have heard of the famous Qutb Minar, of course, but Chor Minar, huhh? Translated to Hindi, it means ‘Tower of Thieves’, but whatever does that imply?
Wonder where this is?
Where have you seen these richly carved pillars in Delhi?
At the end of the tunnel | Tughlaqabad Fort, Delhi
Once upon a time, many centuries ago, the mighty military rulers of the Tughlaq dynasty built a fort in Delhi. They called it Tughlaqabad. And although it had walls as thick as can be- standing sternly, majestically, almost menacingly, to this day- the ravages of time have badly crumbled up the buildings within it, until…
A Village with a Tank | Hauz Khas, Delhi
A crooked lane leading through a tiny urban village. Houses, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques stacked together like matchboxes along a touristy circuit.
A Date With Delhi 