The great Gwalior Fort is situated ‘on a precipitous, flat-topped and isolated hill of sandstone’ which rises 300 feet above the dusty plain. Its breadth varies from 600 feet to 2800 feet. The enclosing wall is 30 feet in height. Its long line of battlements dominates the old city of Gwalior. The … [Read more...]
Brief History of India Gate (All-India War Memorial)
One February 10, 1921 the Duke of Connaught laid the foundation-stone of an All-India War Memorial (popularly known as India Gate) at the southern end of the Central Vista. The possibility of a great Indian war memorial had been accepted as early as January 1917. The design of the arch was approved … [Read more...]
History of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is situated near the Qutub Minar in New Delhi. It is even in ruins “one of the most magnificent works in the world”. The work at original mosque began in 1193 A.D. and was completed in 1197 A.D. Subsequently additions were made to Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque by Iltutmish in 1230 … [Read more...]
Kalkaji Mandir in Delhi
Kalkaji Mandir (also Kalkaji Temple) is the famous temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Mythology and history have combined to give the shrine at Kalkaji (near Badarpur village), dedicated to goddess Kali, an air of mystery which no other temple in Delhi possesses. Millions of years ago, it is said, … [Read more...]
Qudsia Bagh (Garden) in Old Delhi, India
Qudsia Bagh Qudsia Bagh is also known as Qudsia Garden. The Quidsia Garden is a garden and palace complex in Old Delhi, India. It was laid out in 1748 A.D. by Qudsia Begum, the wife of emperor Muhammad Shah and the mother of Ahmed Shah Bahadur, from whose reign dates the final decline of the … [Read more...]
Qila Rai Pithora (Delhi)
Qila Rai Pithora This fort was built by Rai Pithora, better known as Prithvi Raj Chauhan. It is roughly a rectangle in shape; the south wall crosses the road to Gurgaon, close to Adham Khan’s tomb, the north wall cuts the Delhi road near the 10th milestone from Delhi. Half of the western wall is … [Read more...]
Bhairon Nath Temple in Delhi
Almost obscured by thick vegetation, the ancient temple of Bhairon Nath, which adjoins the eastern wall of Purana Qila, is one of the smallest but most historic shrines in Delhi. According to tradition, it was erected shortly before the epic battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas. It was built to … [Read more...]
Raj Ghat Memorial (Gandhi Samadhi)
Raj Ghat is memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where his remains were cremated. Entrance to the Samadhi is by two simple gates of red brick work, one on Ring Road (the main gate) and the other on the south-west side. A broad footpath, flanked by velvety lawn, leads to the simple open Samadhi. A raised … [Read more...]
Mughals Gardens in Delhi
The Mughal gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi were mainly designed by W.R. Mustoe (of the Horticulture Department), the coadjutor of Sir Edwin Lutyens. The gardens are a pleasant blend of different styles. The inspiration is mainly derived from the Mughal gardens but Lutyens combined that … [Read more...]
Alai Darwaza
This famous gate, Alai Darwaaza, is about 12 meters south-east of Qutb Minar. It was built by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1311 as the southern gate to the Qutb Mosque extended by him. The building is rather small, for, it is only 17.3 meters square externally with an internal apartment only 10.5 meters in … [Read more...]