Golden Era of Delhi

History of Delhi dates back to Mahabharata times (some 5000 years ago) when it used to be the capital of Pandavas.Since then Delhi has been inhabited continuously.Delhi has seen the rise and fall of various dynasties and empires. All of them left their impact in its culture, food, living style and all other fields. The first architectural reference of the city is found in Mauryan period around 300 BC. The excavations carried out in year 1966 have unearthed certain inscriptions belonging to Emperor Ashoka’s period at Srinivaspuri.Delhi has been destroyed and recreated 7 times. It has served as capital for Pandavas with the name Indraprastha to the modern time New Delhi as the capital of India.
Delhi during Pandavas:
Delhi was named as Indraprastha, the capital city of pandavas, the religious book Mahabharata support this fact.Indraprastha had beautiful gardens, wide streets, delightful palaces and innumerable mansions.
Delhi as Qila Rai Pithora :
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.
Delhi under Slave Dynasty:
Ghori appointed Qutub-ud-din-Aibak as India's governor, who after Ghori's death founded the Slave Dynasty. He built the south west part of Delhi, known as Mehrauli. He built some monuments in Delhi and started the construction of Qutub Minar. Aibak died in 1210. Aibak was followed by Iltutmish who was also a slave and later became son-in-law of Aibak, He came into power in 1211 till his death in 1236. He completed the construction of Qutub Minar. Razia Sultana followed Iltutumish as the ruler of Delhi. She was the daughter of Iltutmish and is the only female ruler who ruled over Delhi. She reigned for four years from AD 1236-1240.
Balban (Ghiyasuddin Balban) succeeded her by defeating the weak ruler that followed. He ruled for 1266-1287. He was the last powerful ruler of Slave dynasty.After him there came no powerful ruler and the dynasty was ended by Khiljis.
Delhi under Khilji Dynasty:
Khilji Dynasty was founded by Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji. He ruled from 1290-1296. He was killed by his nephew Ala-ud-din-Khilji.
Ali Gurshap or Ala-ud-din-Khilji followed him as the ruler of Delhi and was the famous ruler of this dynasty. He captured many states, kingdom and region around Delhi. His south expedition was led by Malik Kafur who successfully captured many areas. He built the Siri city and Fort of Delhi. He died in 1316. His successors were weak and dynasty ended.
Delhi under Tughlaq Dynasty:
Tughlaq Dynasty followed them and ruled over Delhi from 1320 to 1414. Ghiyas-ud-din-Tughluq formed this dynasty and ruled from 1321-1325. He built the city Tughlaqabad near Delhi. He was old and couldn't rule long.Muhammad bin Tughluq was his son and he ruled from 1325-1351.
He was followed by Firoz Shah Tughluq, who ruled over Delhi from 1351-1388. He tried hard to keep the kingdom under him. He also built the nearby city Ferozabad. After him all successors were weak and thus ended the Tughlaq Empire
Delhi under Lodi Dynasty:
Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526) was founded by Bahlul Lodi who took the empire from Alam Shah. He ruled from 1451 to 1489. Sikander Lodi followed him and ruled from 1489 to 1517. Ibrahim Lodi (1517 - 1526) the last emperor of Lodi dynasty was defeated by Babar in First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and thus formed the foothold for Mughals in India.
Mughal Dynasty:
Babur who was the successor of Timur and Genghis Khan belonged to present day Uzbekistan region. He invaded India in the year 1526 and defeated the last Lodhi sultan during first battle of Panipat. Thus he laid the foundation of Mughal Empire which ruled entire India from Agra and Delhi region. Mughal Kings were able to rule the entire country for three hundred years with a break of sixteen years during the rule of Sher Shah Suri. In the year 1553, Hemu Vikramaditya defeated the forces of Humayun and conquered the throne of Delhi. He built the 7th city in Delhi by the name Shahjahanabad which bears his name and served as his capital. Shahjahanabad stands at the location of present day Old Delhi.
Delhi under British Rule :
The British East India Company succeeded in defeating the Maratha forces in Second Anglo-Maratha War which took place in 1803. During the Revolt of 1857, popularly called the first War of Indian Independence, Delhi was conquered by East India Company after a fierce battle which is termed as the “Siege of Delhi” in History. The British government decided to make Delhi the capital of British captured territories in India. Hence the capital of East India Company was transferred from Calcutta to Delhi. The new capital with a new name “New Delhi” came into existence on 13 February 1931.