Nadir had no desire to rule but was only interested to accumulate booties
like the Mayur throne and Kohinoor and returned with his loot,
satisfied. As Hindus, Maraths and jaths were the arch-rivals
of the Mughal dynasty, during the reign of Bahadur Shah, the
British appeared in Delhi in 1803 in the guise of traders.
However, the British, While remaining in real control, allowed
Mughal emperors to maintain the kingship on annual allowance
till 1857. On 12 Dec 1911, King Gearge 5th visited India and
announced a proclaimation at Delhi durbar shifting capital
from Calcutta to Delhi. Though temporarily, the HQ of British
Viceroy was set up at the southern outskirts of Shahjahanabad,
the eight planned city New Delhi was founded by the British.
New Delhi was spread over an area of 26 sq km and the celebrated
foundation day of the city was 9 Feb, 1931. Today, Delhi is
proud of this historical metamorphosis. Tourists cannot ignore
the thrill of this place of great historical interest.
Dislodging the Union Jack, Indian National Flag was hoisted
on 15 August, 1947, at the Red Fort after 200 yrs of British
rule. On 1 Nov,1956. Delhi went under central rule. Today
New Delhi is the capital of India. Delhi was mainly dominated
by Urdu Speaking Muslim before Independence. Since Independence
Muslims have been replaced by Punjabis. Muslims from Delhi
and Punjabis from West Punjab had exchanged their properties
of living and holdings. On 26 January, the capital decks up
with festivals, Groups of folk dancers come from all the states
and participate in the grand show. Visitors, invitees and
tourists from all over the world come to Delhi on this day
to observe the grand occasion at Gateway of India
Another attractive festival of the city is Dussera or Ramlila.
It continues for 10 days in oct at the Ramlila Maidan. Fire
works, cultural functions and lights make delhi a city of
festivals. The effigy of Ravana is burnt and it tinges the
sky red. Bakri Id and Muharrum are performed in Delhi with
great pomp and grandeur. But you must avoid a tour to Delhi
during Holi as festive madness takes free rein of the city.
At Sardar Patel Marg and Willingdon Crescent Crossing Martyrs’
Column or March towards Independence was founded at the cost
of Rs 33.80 lakh on 2 oct, 1982. The last creation of sculptor
Devi Prasad Roy Choudhury- on a 26*3 m platform with 11 bronze
images of people headed by Gandhiji. The marks of the Ninth
Asiad are still smeared on Delhi.
The third largest city in India, Delhi has been developed
in two parts. To the west of Red Fort, Old Delhi in the Mughal
period Shahjahanabad is encircled by high walls, It is a very
shabby and overcrowded city with lanes and by-lanes. Theough
it is known as Old Delhi, people call it Delhi. The Delhi
Jn Stn is in Old Delhi, A little to the north at Kashmere
Gate the Inter State Bus Terminus is located in Old Delhi.
Buses ply towards north and western Indian cities from Kashmere
Gate. N-West or N-East bound buses Ply from ISBT sarai kale
khan. Near Delhi Gate on the left is the river Yamuna and
on the rights is Aruna Asaf Ali Road, at the end of this road
at the junction of old and New Delhi there is Ramlila Maidan.
Deshbandhu Gupta Rd and Aruna Asaf Ali Rd virtually make the
border of Old and New Delhi. One of the greenest cities in
the world, Delhi has some 350 species of birds.
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