Delhi - History
It is said Delhi has been built over seven times throughout the history. Some researcher argues the number goes up to 15 times. Until, now, remains of eight major settlements have been found in the city, and counting the minor settlements, the number goes up to 15. Delhi is believed to be legendary site of Indraprastha, the Capital city of Pandavas. According to Mahabharata, it was a huge forest known as Khandavaprastha, which was burned down to make a new capital, Indraprastha. The earliest arheological evidence of settlement dates back to Mauryans. In 1996, an Ashokan relic was found near Srinivaspuri.
Surajkund (or Anangpur; currently, part of neighboring city Faridabad) is the first settlement found in the region. It was established around 9th or 10th century. Another city, Lal Kot, was founded by Tomar King Anangpal, around 10 KM from Surajkund. Lal kot was later conquered by Chauhan King Prithviraj Chauhan and he renamed the Lal Kot as Qila Rai Pithora. The area is now known as Mehrauli. In 1192, Mohammed Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan and appointed his General Qutb-ud-din Aibak the Administrator of Delhi.
In 1206, after death of Mohammed Ghori, Qutb-ud-din Aibak declared his independence and laid the foundation of Delhi Sultanate and Mamluk (Slave/Ghulaam) dynasty. Qutb-ud-din Aibak started the construction of Qutb Minar and Quwwat-al-Islam mosque, which was later completed by his successor Iltumish. Razia Sultan, daughter of Iltumish, succeeded him as the ruler of Delhi. She is the first and only female ruler of Delhi. After Slave Dynasty, Delhi became the seat of Khalji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty, Sayyid Dynasty, and Lodi Dynasty.
During this time, Siri fort was established by Allauddin Khilji in 1305. Tughlaqabad was built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in 1320. Jahapannah, enclosing suburbs of Siri fort and Qila Rai Pithora, was established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1325 and Ferozabad by Firuz Shah Tuglaq in 1356.
In 1398, Timur Lang invaded India. On 18 December 1398, he defeated Nasiruddin Mahmud Tughlaq, looted the city, and killed more than 100000 city inhabitants. In 1526, Babur defeated the last Afghan Lodi King Ibrahim and established Mughal Dynasty in India. Mughals ruled India for three centuries. However, the Mughal rule was briefly intrupted by Sher Shah Suri and Hemu in middle of 16th century. Sher Shah Suri built the sixth city of Delhi, Dinpannah.
After death of Sher Shah Suri, Islam Shah took control of Delhi till 1553. In 1553, Hem Chandra, also known as Hemu, captured Delhi on behalf of Adil Shah. He later acceded to the throne of Delhi, briefly establishing the Hindu Raj. After defeating Hemu, in the Battle of Panipat, Akbar regained the seat of Delhi but moved his Capital to Agra. In mid of 17th Century, his grandson and the fifth Mughal Emperor Shahjahan returned to Delhi, establishing a new capital city, Shahajanabad, now known as Old Delhi or Purani Dilli.
In 1658, Aurangzeb, son of Shahjahan, crowned himself as new Mughal Emperor at Shalimar Bagh (Aizzabad Bahg). In 1737, Bajirao I marched toward Delhi. He defeated the Mughals in First Battle of Delhi and ransacked the city. In 1739, Delhi was looted by Nadir Shah, who defeated Mughals in the Battle of Karnal. He took famous Peacock Throne, Daria-i-Noor, Koh-i-noor along with other precious jewels and items. He killed more than 30000 citizens of the city.
In 1757, Ahmad Shah Durrani entered in India and arrested the Mughal emperor. In August 1757, Marathas again attacked the Delhi in Second Battle of Delhi, defeating Najb-ud-Daula and his Rohilla Afghan Army. They established Mughal Emperor as the Emperor of Delhi against the Chauth of their revenue.
In 1803, during Second Anglo-Maratha War, British East India Company defeated Marathas and ended their dominance over the city. The Mughal Emperor became only a face of Delhi seat, which was in reality, controlled by British East India Company. In 1857, after Indian Revolt of 1857, British took over Delhi from Mughal Empire. The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar II, was exiled to Rangoon and Mughal India was annexed as part of British India. Until 1911, under British East India Company rule and later, during British Raj, Calcutta served as Capital of the country.
In 1911, King George V was crowned as the Emperor of India at Delhi Durbar. In his coronation ceremony, he annouced the shifting of the Capital back to Delhi. British architect Edwin Lutyens designed the new city.
In 1931, New Delhi was officially inaugurated as the seat of Government of India. In 1947, after Partition of India, thousands of Hindus and Sikhs came to India, and they were settled in the colonies like Chitranjan Park. In 1956, during state reorganization of India, Delhi was established as Union Territory.
In 1991, with 69th Amendment in the constitution, Union Territory of Delhi became to be known as National Capital Territory of Delhi. A legislative assembly was also formed with limited powers.
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