8 Forgotten Old Names of Delhi That Shaped Its Royal Legacy

The ground beneath our feet in Delhi has witnessed over 2,500 years of unbroken human civilization. This remarkable city stands as one of the oldest inhabited places in the world. Each historical name of Delhi weaves a tale of ambition, conquest and cultural rebirth.

Delhi’s story begins with its mention as Indraprastha in the Mahabharata around 1400 BCE. The first recorded reference to its name appears in the 1st century BCE, credited to Raja Dhilu. The city’s history presents a mixture of changes through different dynasties. The Tomaras built Lal Kot in 1052 CE. The Mughals created Shahjahanabad in 1638. The British established New Delhi in 1911. These eight forgotten names became the foundations of Delhi’s royal heritage.

The Legend of Indraprastha: Delhi’s Mythological Origin

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“The history of India is not just what was written by those who enslaved this country and those with a slave mentality.” — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

The ancient name “Indraprastha” embodies Delhi’s most legendary origins, dating back to the mythical era of the Mahabharata. Modern Delhi pulses with contemporary life, yet beneath its foundations lies a story that has shaped the city’s identity for thousands of years.

Pandavas and the Founding of Indraprastha

The Mahabharata tells us that Indraprastha (meaning “Plain of Indra” or “City of Indra”) came into being around 1400 BCE as the Pandavas’ capital. Dhritarashtra split the Kuru kingdom to avoid conflict, giving the barren, unwelcoming Khandavaprastha to the Pandavas. He kept the developed Hastinapura for himself and Duryodhana. This uneven split became the foundation of one of Delhi’s most enduring legends.

The Pandavas and Krishna cleared the thorny Khandava forest with a massive fire that turned the dry landscape into livable land. A skilled demon architect, Maya survived this fire and built a magnificent golden-pillared assembly hall for the Pandavas out of gratitude. The city they built under Yudhishthira’s leadership became so beautiful that it matched the heavens, earning its name after Lord Indra.

Krishna made an interesting proposal – the Pandavas would be content with just five villages from Hastinapura: Indraprastha (present-day Delhi), Svarnaprastha (Sonipat), Panduprastha (Panipat), Vyaghraprastha (Baghpat), and Tilaprastha (Tilpat). This detail links modern Delhi’s geography to its mythological roots.

Archaeological Debates About Its Existence

Archaeological debates about Indraprastha’s historical reality have raged for decades. B.B. Lal, a renowned archaeologist, led the first scientific excavation at Purana Qila in 1954. His team found Painted Gray Ware (PGW) pottery sherds dated between 1000-600 BCE. All the same, these findings came from unstratified deposits, making definitive connections hard to establish.

The 1969-70 and 1971-72 excavations yielded no more PGW remains. A breakthrough came in 2014 when archaeologists found PGW sherds in stratified contexts, sparking new hope of linking Purana Qila to the Mahabharata era. The ASI also found proof of continuous habitation from the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE) through several dynasties, including Sunga, Kushan, Gupta, post-Gupta, Rajput, and Delhi Sultanate periods.

Scholars remain split on whether PGW findings prove Indraprastha’s existence. Archaeologist Vasant Swarnkar believes that “with this excavation, we have found PGW and can claim with certainty that the history of Delhi can be traced back to 1200 BCE”. But ASI Director General Y.S. Rawat stays cautious about connecting PGW directly to the Mahabharata.

Indraprastha’s Cultural Imprint on Delhi’s Identity

Whatever the archeological evidence shows, Indraprastha’s legend has left an indelible mark on Delhi’s cultural identity. Abul Fazl’s 16th-century work ‘Ain-i-Akbari’ describes Delhi as “first called Indrapat”. A village named “Indrapat” existed within Purana Qila’s walls until the late 19th century, keeping the ancient name alive through centuries of changing rulers.

Buddhist texts mention “Indapatta” or “Indapattana” as the Kuru kingdom’s capital on the Yamuna River. Greek geographer Ptolemy referred to a city called “Indabara” (possibly from “Indabatta”) near Delhi in the 2nd century CE. This suggests the city’s place in ancient global geography.

Modern Delhi maintains its connection to its mythological foundations through sites like the Kunti Devi temple, dedicated to the Pandavas’ mother, and Bhairon Mandir, linked to Bhimsen. The ASI’s preparation for its seventh excavation at Purana Qila shows how deeply this ancient name of Delhi remains woven into the city’s identity.

Dhillika: How Delhi Got Its Name

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The name “Delhi” has grown and changed through centuries of language shifts and cultural influences. Several competing theories tell us about its true origin. Historical records show the city’s name written as Dhillika, Dhilli, Dilli, and other forms before it became the Delhi we know today.

King Dhilu and the First Settlement

The most popular story ties Delhi’s name to Raja Dhilu (or Dilu), a king who built a city near today’s Delhi around 50 BCE. Some historians say he was a Mauryan ruler, while others call him a Jat king from the Dhillon clan. The story goes that after Hastinapur and Indraprastha were destroyed, Raja Dhritarashtra started a township in southwest modern Delhi around 800 BCE.

Archaeological Survey of India dug up Purana Qila and found proof of people living there right from the Mauryan period. These discoveries back up the idea of an early settlement that Raja Dhilu might have started, though we can’t say for sure if any specific ruins belong to his time.

Raja Dhilu’s dynasty ruled for about 500-600 years until the 3rd century BCE. They left their mark on how the region grew before other dynasties took over. During this long period, people called the city “Dhilupura” or “Dhillika.” These names show up in history right after Delhi’s mythological connection to Indraprastha.

Etymology: Theories of Delhi’s Name

The Raja Dhilu story isn’t the only interesting theory about Delhi’s name. A colorful tale involves King Anangpal II Tomar and the famous Iron Pillar that now stands in the Qutub complex. The story says a Brahmin told Anangpal that the pillar went so deep it sat on Vasuki’s head – the serpent king holding up Earth. The king didn’t quite believe this and had the pillar dug up. He found its base wet with the serpent’s blood.

They tried to put the pillar back, but it stayed loose (or “dhila” in Hindi). People say this “dhilla” state of the pillar led to the name “Dhilli”. The Tomar dynasty’s 444-year rule gave plenty of time for the name Dhillika to stick in people’s minds.

Another explanation links the name to the Persian word “dehleez” or Hindustani “dehali,” which both mean “threshold” or “gateway”. This makes sense since Delhi sits at the entrance to the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains. Some folks think the name comes from “Dillipat,” pointing to Prithviraj Chauhan’s time as ruler.

Historical Records of Early Delhi

The oldest written proof of Delhi’s name appears on the Mehrauli Iron Pillar. Anangapala Tomara’s inscription mentions “Dhihi” or “Dihali”. Later, the Bijolia inscription from 1170 CE talks about “Dhillika” when describing how the Chahamanas captured the city.

Balban’s time gave us the Palam Baoli inscription from 1276 CE. It calls the city “Dhilli” and places it in “Hariyanaka”. The inscription reads: “The land of Hariyanaka was first enjoyed by the Tomaras and then by the Chauhans. It is now ruled by the Saka Kings”. This tells us exactly who ruled the city and when.

An inscription from Muhammad Tughlaq’s time (1328 CE) uses “Dhillika”. Throughout history, we see Delhi written as Dhilli, Dihli, Dehli, and Delhi. Each spelling shows how different ruling dynasties changed the language.

The Delhi Gazetteer from 1883-84 listed all these names and stories. It said Delhi first got its name in the first century BCE, matching other historical accounts. The British moved their capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. They changed “Delhi” to “Delhi” because English doesn’t allow an ‘h’ at the end of a syllable.

Lal Kot and Qila Rai Pithora: The Rajput Foundations

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“Many of our true heroes have been airbrushed. The story of Anangpal is not recorded in our modern history books. It’s most unfortunate and I want to congratulate the ministry and NMA are reviving memory of King Anangpal” — Amish Tripathi, Bestselling author and diplomat

The iconic Red Fort draws tourists today, but an older red fortress once stood as Delhi’s first major fortification. This ancient structure, built on the rocky Aravalli ridges in present-day Mehrauli, started Delhi’s continuous history as a fortified capital city.

Tomara Dynasty’s Contribution to Delhi’s Legacy

Medieval Delhi’s foundations began in 1052 CE with the Tomara Rajputs. Anangpal II built Lal Kot, Delhi’s original “red fort.” This massive citadel spread across the undulating Aravalli ridge with impressive defensive walls that reached 60 feet in height and 30 feet in thickness. The region lay in ruins when Anangpal II took the throne, but he reshaped the scene into a thriving capital.

The famous Iron Pillar stood at Lal Kot’s center. Anangpal II brought it from Mathura and installed it in 1052 CE. This pillar became the centerpiece around which palaces and temples emerged before the fortress walls reached completion in 1060 CE. The Tomaras ruled from this stronghold for 444 years and established Delhi as a major power center in northern India.

Lal Kot’s location showed strategic brilliance. The rocky ridge provided natural defenses against invaders and gave commanding views of the surrounding plains. Enemy forces found it nowhere near easy to approach or lay siege to the fortress. The proximity to trade routes and the Yamuna River made it a bustling commercial hub.

Chauhan Expansion and Fortifications

The Chauhan Rajputs conquered Delhi from the Tomars around 1151 CE. They arranged a marriage between a Tomar princess and the Chauhan dynasty. Their son, Prithviraj Chauhan, became one of Delhi’s most celebrated rulers from 1169 to 1191 CE.

Prithviraj expanded his grandfather’s fortress substantially and created Qila Rai Pithora. The new citadel wrapped around the original Lal Kot on three sides and covered twice the original area. The combined fort stretched an impressive 6.5 kilometers with massive, higher walls.

Lal Kot served as a citadel, but Qila Rai Pithora grew into a proper city. Prithviraj’s patronage led to palatial buildings. Archaeological digs revealed these expansions, including wall sections from the Chauhan period.

Fall to Islamic Invaders and Changing of Guards

This magnificent Rajput fortress met its fate in the late 12th century. Muhammad Ghori, a tough Afghan-Turkoman leader, looked eastward toward Hindustan after establishing his power in Afghanistan. The conflict started when Ghori captured the Bhatinda fort in 1190 CE, which prompted Prithviraj Chauhan to respond.

Prithviraj pushed back Ghori’s forces in the First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE). Indian elephants broke through Afghan defenses. Despite that, Ghori regrouped in Kabul and returned the next year.

The Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 CE changed Delhi’s destiny forever. Prithviraj had support from many Rajput princes, but faced a big problem. Raja Jai Chand of Kanauj, holding a grudge over family honor, backed Muhammad Ghori. The Indian forces charged, but Ghori’s army pretended to retreat before quickly surrounding the Indian center. Prithviraj’s capture and death in captivity marked the end of Rajput rule in Delhi.

Qutbuddin Aibak, Muhammad Ghori’s lieutenant, took over Qila Rai Pithora. The victorious Turks entered through Ranjit Gate, which they renamed Ghazni Gate. The Islamic rulers brought back the older name “Dilhi” (modern Delhi), starting the Delhi Sultanate’s new chapter.

Siri: Alauddin Khilji’s Defensive Masterpiece

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Islamic invaders captured Qila Rai Pithora, and Delhi saw the birth of a new fortified city. This became the second chapter in Delhi’s seven-city progress. Alauddin Khilji, the most powerful ruler of the Khilji Dynasty, built Siri between 1297 and 1307 CE to counter repeated Mongol threats.

Military Architecture of Siri Fort

Alauddin Khilji’s military brilliance shows in Siri’s architectural design. The fort served as a defensive stronghold against Mongol invasions and followed the design of massive Turkish fortifications that had kept similar threats away in West Asia. The name “Siri” has a dark story—it came from the severed heads (“sir” in Hindi) of Mongol warriors built into the walls to warn future invaders.

Mongol forces under Targhi laid siege to Delhi in 1303 during Alauddin’s Chittor campaign. The sultan took shelter in Siri and survived a two-month siege. This proved the fort’s strength as a garrison town that housed Alauddin’s powerful army.

Siri’s architectural features included:

• A massive, oval-shaped layout with carefully placed walls
• Walls about 18 feet thick, where soldiers moved inside to get supplies and shoot arrows
• Seven gates control movement, though only the southeastern gate stands today
• Round and tapering bastions with flame-shaped battlements
• Deep moats around the entire structure

The fort’s design was so impressive that Timur, the Mongol ruler who attacked Delhi in 1398, praised its strength in his memoirs. He wrote that Siri was “surrounded by fortifications built of stone and brick… they are very strong”.

Siri as a Center of Islamic Art and Culture

Siri grew into a cultural hub under Khilji’s rule. The city’s crown jewel, “Hazar Sutan” (Palace of Thousand Pillars), stood out with its marble floors and beautiful stone decorations. The city, also called “Darul Khilafat” or “Seat of Califate,” became Alauddin’s base to launch southern campaigns.

Alauddin brought together 70,000 workers to build these projects. Delhi’s architecture changed as the Indo-Islamic style took shape. Seljuq craftsmen, who fled to Delhi from Mongol attacks in West Asia, brought their skills to Siri’s construction.

Alauddin’s vision went beyond Siri. He doubled the size of the Quwwatul-Islam Mosque and planned to add to the Qutub Minar. These plans remained unfinished when he died in 1316.

What Remains of Siri Today

Only parts of Siri Fort’s boundary walls stand as proof of its past glory. These remaining walls show impressive defensive engineering with arched galleries and archer positions.

The Archeological Survey of India started major excavation work in December 2008. They want to uncover hidden wall sections and connect them with previously excavated areas. Archaeologists found a tunnel-like structure at the Siri Fort Museum in 2014, which helped us learn more about the fort’s design.

Modern Delhi keeps Siri’s memory alive. The Asiad Village Complex, built in 1982 for the Asian Games, covers some unexplored fort structures. Today, visitors can see both historical ruins and modern facilities at places like the Siri Fort Auditorium, where this ancient Delhi name echoes through time.

Jahanpanah: Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s Ambitious Capital

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Muhammad bin Tughlaq stands out among Delhi’s medieval rulers for his grand vision. He built Jahanpanah in 1326-1327 CE with ambitions beyond creating just another city. His dream was to unite Delhi’s scattered urban areas into one mighty fortress.

Connecting Older Cities

The constant threat of Mongol invasions drove Tughlaq to create Jahanpanah (Persian for “Refuge of the World”). This massive fortification project would unite previously disconnected settlements. The sultan built huge walls with thirteen magnificent gates that linked the cities of Siri and Lal Kot. Ibn Batuta described this as one unified urban complex. Tughlaq dreamed of building continuous fortifications that would link Lal Kot, Siri, Jahanpanah, and Tughlaqabad. Money problems forced him to leave this project unfinished.

Architectural Innovations

Though mostly ruins now, Jahanpanah’s architectural heritage has several remarkable breakthroughs:

• Bijay Mandal – This structure likely housed the famous “Hazar Sutan Palace” (Palace of a Thousand Pillars). It featured a perfectly proportioned square dome and measured 74 by 82 meters
• Begumpur Mosque – A masterpiece of architecture with three gates and twenty-five arched openings in its west wall
• Satpula – A complex seven-sluiced water structure built over a city stream that showed Tughlaq’s commitment to strong infrastructure

Ibn Batuta’s detailed writings tell us how these cities worked together. Lal Kot served as the urban center, Siri housed the military, and Jahanpanah contained the sultan’s palace and other important buildings. Archaeologists found wooden pillar bases from the legendary Hazar Sutan Palace during their 1934 excavations.

The Short-Lived Glory of Jahanpanah

Just as Jahanpanah reached its peak, Tughlaq made one of history’s most debated choices. He moved his capital to Daulatabad in the Deccan, over 1500 kilometers away. This unfortunate decision came from his belief in Daulatabad’s central location and safety from Mongol attacks. Delhi’s people faced forced relocation in brutal summer heat, which caused widespread anger. Tughlaq later admitted his mistake and returned to Jahanpanah. He realized that “just as he couldn’t control the south from Delhi, he couldn’t control north India from Daulatabad”.

The city’s glory didn’t last long. The Delhi Sultanate had shrunk to a tiny northern territory by the end of Tughlaq rule in 1412 CE. Timur’s devastating invasion in 1398 left this once-magnificent capital in ruins.

Tughlaqabad and Firozabad: The Tughlaq Dynasty’s Twin Legacies

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The twin monuments of Tughlaqabad and Firozabad stand testament to their creators’ distinct visions – a military strategist and a civic visionary from the Tughlaq dynasty that revolutionized medieval Delhi’s landscape.

Contrasting Architectural Styles

Ghiasuddin Tughlaq built Delhi’s third city, Tughlaqabad, between 1320-1324 CE. This massive fortress sprawled across 6.5 kilometers and took just four years to complete. The fort’s imposing stone walls reached heights of 15-30 meters with a distinctive batter (slope) and frequent bastions—a breakthrough unique to the Tughlaqs. Firozabad (built in 1354) took a different approach that valued practical livability over defensive strength. Firoz Shah’s capital sat along the Yamuna River to solve Tughlaqabad’s persistent water shortage problems. The rectangular fort measured roughly 800 by 400 meters.

Water Systems and Urban Planning

The Tughlaqs demonstrated their expertise in water management through both forts. Tughlaqabad’s designers created a large artificial lake using waterworks that collected water from the nearby ridge. The system’s brilliance lay in its simplicity – a single person could control the entire water flow by placing small shutters into slots at different levels. Firozabad boasted Delhi’s largest baoli (stepwell), which measured 33 meters across with a 9-meter water tank. This circular design stood out from typical Delhi baolis by combining the well and tank with an underground drainpipe that connected to the Yamuna.

Historical Significance in Delhi’s Rise

These cities marked vital transitions in Delhi’s growth. Tughlaqabad showcased military architectural prowess, while Firozabad introduced civic breakthroughs. Firozabad pioneered the concept of dedicated functional areas—an approach the Mughals later adopted. After Firoz Shah died, Timur’s invasion in December 1398 led to the city’s plunder, though he admired its mosque enough to replicate it in his homeland.

Visiting These Historical Sites Today

Visitors can explore Tughlaqabad Fort’s remaining walls with thirteen surviving gates from the original 52. Ghiasuddin Tughlaq’s mausoleum, built with red sandstone and white marble, links to the city through a 120-meter causeway. Firozabad (now Feroz Shah Kotla) features its most remarkable attraction—the Ashokan Pillar, a 113-meter-tall polished sandstone column weighing 27 tons that Firoz Shah brought from Topra in Haryana. The fort has gained a unique modern identity as people gather here to seek blessings from djinns believed to dwell in these ancient ruins.

Shahjahanabad: The Pinnacle of Mughal Delhi

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Shah Jahan laid the foundation stone of Shahjahanabad in 1639. He didn’t just want another city – he dreamed of creating the crown jewel of the Mughal Empire, making it Delhi’s seventh incarnation. Unlike other rulers who built cities for defense, Shah Jahan wanted to create paradise on earth.

Shah Jahan’s Vision for a Perfect City

Shah Jahan asked his court architects, engineers, and astrologers to find the perfect spot between Agra and Lahore. Delhi became their choice because of its strategic location, its history as a former capital, and its sacred ties to many saints. Shah Jahan designed Shahjahanabad in a semi-circular ‘karmuka’ (arched bow-shape) pattern, following ancient Hindu texts of vastu shastra.

The magnificent Qila-i-Mubarak (Red Fort) stood at the heart of the city. Around it spread a planned city with fourteen gates and two main streets – Chandni Chowk and Faiz Bazar. The fort’s construction took almost 15 years. Shah Jahan added beautiful gardens throughout the city – a tradition Emperor Babur started. He believed “Paradise was not just a walled garden, but a beautiful city”.

Cultural Renaissance Under Mughal Patronage

Shahjahanabad thrived as the Mughal Empire’s cultural heart for nearly 30 years. Artists from Persia and Central Asia worked in royal workshops (karkhanas), creating masterpieces that blended Persian elegance with Indian designs. Poets flourished under Shah Jahan’s support, praising him as “the king of the world”.

The city reached new cultural heights under Shah Jahan and later Bahadur Shah Zafar, even as the empire’s power declined. Zafar, a mystic, poet, and calligrapher, created a brilliant court culture. He supported Urdu’s greatest poets, including Ghalib and Zauq.

From Royal Capital to Old Delhi

British rule after 1857 reshaped Shahjahanabad’s political, cultural, and urban landscape. The 1857 revolt changed everything. British forces damaged the city’s heritage by destroying Urdu newspapers and documents. People started calling Shahjahanabad “Old Delhi” after the British moved their capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911.

The 1947 partition brought more changes. About 20,000 Muslims died in Delhi, and 44,000 lost their homes. Many escaped to Pakistan. Their properties became “evacuee property” – either taken by the government or occupied illegally.

Preserving Shahjahanabad’s Heritage

Today, Shahjahanabad struggles with physical, social, and economic decline. Delhi’s first Master Plan (1962) recognized the need to renew the area. The 2021 Master Plan made it a “Conservation Zone”. New projects like the Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Plan offer hope. The government plans to invest in cultural spaces and monthly programs that celebrate Delhi’s music, food, and mixed culture.

Shahjahanabad stands unique among Delhi’s historical cities because people still live there. The challenge lies in protecting its heritage while allowing development and keeping its residential character alive.

Imperial Delhi to New Delhi: The British Transformation

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The British Raj made a bold decision to move India’s capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. This marked the last major change in Delhi’s long naming history. The change served both practical governance needs and imperial symbolism by creating a new capital that honored Delhi’s historical importance.

Planning a New Capital

King George V made a surprising announcement at a grand coronation durbar in December 1911 about moving the capital to Delhi. Several reasons backed this decision. Delhi’s central location made it easier to govern the country. Its rich history as the seat of previous empires strengthened British authority. The city also provided better connections than Calcutta’s remote eastern location. The British hoped to win Muslim support through this choice, given Delhi’s deep ties to the Mughal and Pathan empires. Moving the entire administration came at a hefty price of four million British pounds.

Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker’s Design Philosophy

The government chose two brilliant architects—Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker—to design the new capital. They planned to hold a competition for selecting architects, but ended up appointing these men directly as principal architects and general advisers. The two often clashed over their different visions. Lutyens wanted pure classical European designs, while Baker promoted Indian elements. They strongly disagreed about whether the Viceroy’s House should stand taller than other government buildings—a debate that touched on symbolism in what would become an independent democratic India.

Colonial Architecture with Indian Elements

Political pressures won over Lutyens’ reluctance to include Indian features. The architects explored India’s architectural heritage by studying Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas, the Taj Mahal, and palaces in Bikaner and Mandi. British designs got an Indian touch through sunbreakers (chajjas), latticed windows (jalis), and domes (chattris). Lord Hardinge stated firmly that putting “a purely western town amidst eastern surroundings” would be “a grave political blunder”.

Transition to India’s Capital

The British ruled from New Delhi for just 16 years after its 1931 inauguration until India gained independence in 1947. A Chief Commissioner appointed by the Government of India managed Delhi after independence. The city received union territory status in 1966, and leadership changed from a Chief Commissioner to a Lieutenant Governor. The Constitution Amendment Act of 1991 gave Delhi its current name – the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This completed its rise from Imperial Delhi to today’s modern capital.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

Delhi has grown from a mythological capital into a modern metropolis. Each name adds a unique chapter to its remarkable story. The city began with Indraprastha’s legendary origins and grew through different forms – from Raja Dhritarashtra’s Dhillika to the Rajput strongholds of Lal Kot and Qila Rai Pithora. The Islamic capitals of Siri, Jahanpanah, and the twin cities of Tughlaqabad and Firozabad followed.

Every ruler made their mark on Delhi’s character. Alauddin Khilji’s military expertise shaped Siri’s defenses. Shah Jahan’s artistic vision turned Shahjahanabad into a cultural paradise. British architects later created New Delhi by blending colonial and Indian elements, which completed the city’s journey from ancient times to modernity.

Walking through Delhi today feels like stepping through multiple centuries at once. Ancient ruins stand next to modern buildings, while old traditions flourish in contemporary settings. These eight historic names show us that Delhi’s identity comes from layers of history, creating a mixture of unique cultures.

My visits to Purana Qila and Chandni Chowk show how Delhi’s past shapes its present. This living connection between ancient and modern makes Delhi unique – a city where every stone has a story and every name carries historical weight.

FAQs

Q1. What is the oldest known name for Delhi? The oldest known name for Delhi is Indraprastha, which dates back to around 1400 BCE according to the epic Mahabharata. It was believed to be the capital of the Pandavas.

Q2. How many historical cities make up modern Delhi? Modern Delhi comprises seven historical cities, often referred to as the “Seven Sisters”: Qila Rai Pithora (Lalkot), Siri, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Firozabad, Shergarh, and Shahjahanabad.

Q3. Which Mughal emperor established Old Delhi? Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan established Shahjahanabad in 1639, which is now known as Old Delhi or Purani Dilli. It served as the capital of the Mughal Empire and was renowned for its cultural and architectural splendor.

Q4. What is the significance of Tughlaqabad in Delhi’s history? Tughlaqabad, built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq in the 14th century, was one of Delhi’s fortified cities. It showcased impressive military architecture with massive stone walls and a sophisticated water management system, playing a crucial role in the city’s evolution.

Q5. How did New Delhi come into existence? New Delhi came into existence when the British decided to move the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. Architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed the new capital, blending colonial and Indian architectural elements. It was inaugurated in 1931 and became the seat of the Indian government after independence in 1947.