shilpa'sconnection

The fortress of Tughlakabad which is still standing on a rocky hill, about 8 km from the Qutub Minar on Qutub-Badarpur road was built by Ghiyasuddin Tughluq in 1320's. It constitutes the third city of Delhi, roughly octagonal on plan with a perimeter of 6.5 km. This is sometimes called the fourth city of Delhi. There were eleven rulers from the Tughlak dynasty but only the first three generations were interested in architecture- raising mosques, caravansarais, madrasas and laying canals.    On its south was a vast reservoir created by erecting bunds between hills to its east. Tughluqabad was divide mainly intro three portions. To the east of the present entrance from the Qutub- Badarpur road, a rectangular area with high walls and bastions served as the citadel.    Beyond this to the north lay the city, now marked by ruins of houses. Streets in the city, some of which can be traced even now, ran in a grid pattern from gates on one side to those on the o...

Siri is contradictorily called by many historians the second city of Delhi and also by some historians the third city of Delhi. It was built by Sultan Ala-ud-Din Khilji in about 1303, to the north of Mehrauli. In the Siri Fort complex near the Asian Games village areas, east of Hauz Khas there are still the remains of the city. Siri Fort is a magnificent piece of architecture of the Delhi Sultanate now lying in ruins still draws attention of the world to experience the glorious past of its fascinating history.Siri Fort is one of the many forts of Delhi, which were built during the time of the Delhi Sultanate (AD 1191-1526) in the medieval age. The kingdom of Delhi was constantly threatened by hoards of Mongol tribesmen who had been descending in waves to loot India since the 13th century. The Slave dynasty (AD 1193-1290), which was the first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, also faced this threat in the later half of its reign. Balban, the last important ruler of this dynasty...

After a dramatic defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan, the rule of the Hindu dynasty over Delhi came to an end in 1191 A.D. It was caught by Qutabuddin Aibak, the slave leader of Mohammad Ghori, after numerous defeat. This was the start of Delhi Sultanate and for next 600 years Islamic dynasties won. The seat of the administer of trespassers had been Mehrauli, which was the living capital of Hindu forerunners.   After the demise of Mohammad Ghori in 1206 Qutabuddin Aibak turned into the main Sultan of Delhi and Quwwat-ul-Islam was laid on the site of Hindu fortress as Delhi's first mosque. The development of Qutab Minar (now World Heritage landmark) was begun by Aibak and proceeded by Iltutmish and his successor. It turned into the most overwhelming image and a milestone of Delhi. Nonetheless, legend says that the Rajput King Prithvi Raj raised his minarate for cosmic perceptions. His girl could see the heavenly Yamuna from its best. On the edges of Mehrauli a water repository...

Vigraharaja IV , the Chauhan prince of Sakambhari, captured Delhi from Tomars in the later half of the 12th century and his grandson Prithviraj III, popularly known by the name of Rai Pithora, extended the Lal Kot by throwing up massive ramparts around it. This enlarged city, with the Lal Kot at its south-western base, is known as Qila Rai Pithora and is the first of the so called seven cities of Delhi. Qila is a Persianword meaning a fort or castle. At that time it was either called Durg or Garh Rai Pithora. Durg and Garh are a Sanskrit words meaning Fort. It was from the fort that the Tomar, Chauhan and the Slave Dynasty ruled over Delhi from 12th to 13th century. Qutub'd-Din captured it in 1192 and made it as his capital. Lal-Kot, its ramparts are cut through by the Delhi-Qutub and Badarpur-Qutub roads.       The ruins of the fort ramparts are still partly visible in the area around Qutab Minar. During the era of Tomar and Chauhans magnificent temples...

As in my last blog, I have discussed about the glorious history of this city "DELHI" now let's go deeper into the topic. Delhi is called 'City of Cities'. It is famously said that Delhi was the site for an aggregate of seven cities between 3000 BC and the seventeenth century BC, although taking smaller towns and fortifications into account, there were as many as 15 settlements. All the prior areas of Delhi fall inside a region normally called the 'Delhi Triangle', bounded on the south and west by the Arvalli range, known as the Delhi Ridge, and to the east by river Yamuna.      It is an arguable topic that the cities of Delhi were in reality less or more than seven. However, the acknowledged number is seven ( barring New Delhi). Historians speak of the 'Seven Cities of Delhi', but between 1100 AD and 1947, there have actually been eight of them:      1. Quila Rai Pithora      2. Mehrauli      3. Siri   ...

Delhi has been perceived by different names, one of the antiquated name of Delhi is INDRAPRASTHA (City of Indra). Indraprastha, as specified in our religious book Mahabharata was the capital of the kingdom drove by Pandavas. It is likewise said as "Indapatta" or "Indapattana" in pali dialect Buddhist writings, where it is depicted as the capital of the Kuru kingdom, suitated on the Yamuna waterway. The Buddhist writing likewise implies Hatthinipura (Hastinapura), which signifies 'THE ELEPHANT CITY'. The name Delhi may be derived from "DHILLIKA". It is otherwise called Yoginipura, that is the fortress of the Yoginis(female divinities).  There were numerous head who attacked Delhi and furthermore had added to the validity of this city. The main design demonstrate of this city was found in Mauryan period around 300BC. A sublime part to Delhi's history was included as 1966 with the revelation of an engraving of the Maurya head Ashoka which...

As, Delhi is the capital of India reflects the cultural diversity and religious unity of India . It is difficult to define the culture and religion of India. There is a continuous inflow people from all the parts of India. The cultural diversity is very prominent. Delhi being an ancient city has the shadow of its past. Delhi or Dilli, also famous as 'Dilli dilwalo ki' is the capital city of India and is well known for its rich cultural heritage and lifestyle. Delhi is often reffered as 'Mini India' because of the many religion and culture prevailing in the area. Delhi being the capital is the principal foot to the beautiful nation of India to the non natives. It is well connected to all the noticeable and prominent world wide urban area as well as all major cities of India. Delhi is said to be center of all business and market exercise that goes ahead in Northern India and an innovation focus. Being the capital the majority of central station of ...

India is the multicultural and the land of many tongues. There is a popular aphorism that well depicts India's linguistic diversity: 'Kos Kos par badle pani, chaar kos par bani' means the language spoken in India changes every few kilometers, just like the taste of the water. There is co-existence of many races, languages, cultures and religions an it has become the essence of country's heritage.    Sanskrit is considered to be the oldest language in human history. Sanskrit is the mother of all languages. And today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is the official language of the state " Uttarakhand ". Hindi came to be known as 'language' only in the late 19th century.    Being multilingual and multicultural makes our country more open minded on other cultures. A multi-cultural and multi-lingual society allows one to feel a connection to different cultures. Multiculturalism and multilingualism makes the land of I...

The bewitching land of India is praised at time to time by many. India has a charismatic charm which cannot be described in few words. Indian culture is very colorful as it is not bounded within one particular culture. There are variety of culture flourishing on the heart of this beautiful country. Indian culture is also referred as 'SALAD PLATTER' : different culture on one land.      And we can say that it is the greatness of this land, that it has accepted the best from all the invaders this is visible in all aspects whether it is music, dance, painting, sculptures, architecture, clothing. From Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh one can find many variation. People adapt and modify culture according to their local needs and influences.    Mark Twain praised the rich culture and vivid tradition of India in such words:       " India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech,...

As earlier in my first blog I have briefly discussed about heritage, now getting a bit penetrated into the topic, I would likely to discuss different aspects of heritage. Expertise also divide heritage into two parts : (a) Physical cultural heritage  (b) Non physical cultural heritage Physical cultural heritage  can be better understand as  (i) Movable : Books, Vedas, Documents, Clothes and other artifacts (ii) Immovable : Monuments, Buildings.  Non physical cultural heritage includes social values and traditions, customs and practices, aesthetic and spiritual beliefs, language, expressions and some other aspects of human activity.   " It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind" - Branch Rickey

Heritage symbolizes our inherited traditions, monuments,objects and culture. Heritage is the resemblance from which we belong and to whom we belong.   Heritage and culture are two different but inter-related terms. Heritage speaks about the culture of the people of that time. And culture is the idea, custom, behavior of people or group of people towards the society. It is the way of living, tradition, values, habits thus, heritage and culture are the two indispensable terms. Heritage symbolizes our inherited traditions, monuments,objects and culture. Heritage is the resemblance from which we belong and to whom we belong.   Heritage and culture are two different but inter-related terms. Heritage speaks about the culture of the people of that time. And culture is the idea, custom, behavior of people or group of people towards the society. It is the way of living, tradition, values, habits thus, heritage and culture are the two indispensable terms.