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History

So different are the colors of life, as we look forward to the future, or backward to the past. Its amazing to explore these difference for life is so different at both the ends. Present seems to be a yard stick to evaluate the past or anticipate the future. Delhi, like any other city in India has its own stories, own rulers, own achievements and own wars of destruction. The old, timeworn streets of Delhi has seen it all.

From Hindu Kings to Muslim incursions, the reins of the city kept shifting from one ruler to another. There was the period of Delhi Sultanate, Slave Dynasty and Khali Dynasty. The soils of the city smell of blood, sacrifices and love for the nation. The old ‘Havelis’ and edifices from the past stand silent but their silence also speaks volumes of their owners and people who lived here centuries back.

Early Hindu Kingdoms : Archaeological evidences suggest that this area was settled by Ashoka about 2500years ago. Legend also has it that the city was the war ground for famous war that has a mention in great Hindu epic Mahabharata. Since the war was fraught 3000 years ago, the city (Idraprastha) seems to be much older.

Getting on to firmer historical ground, the city was ruled by Tomar Rajputs in 10th century AD. Anang Pal, the Tomara ruler built magnificent edifices like Lal Kot and famous full iron pillar at Qutab Minar. Tomaras were then overthrown in 1155 AD by Chauhans who enlarged and fortified Delhi under the kingship of Prithvi Raj Chauhan.

Muslim Incursions : After the invasion of Punjab and Sind, Muslim rulers from North West, attacked Delhi around 1191 AD. Since Rajputs were aware of this danger, they got united under the leadership of Prithviraj Chauhan and defeated Muslim rulers thrice.

In the fourth attack, Mohamad of Ghor was able to defeat Rajputs. Ha handed over the reigns of Delhi to his Turkish Slave Qutab-ud-din Aibak and returend to Mehmud Ghazni. Qutab-ud-din occupied the throne and became the first Sultan of Delhi under Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526).

Slave Dynasty : After Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the powers of rule kept shifting from one ruler to another. The most prominent rulers of the era were Iltumish(1211-36), Raziya Sultan, the only female sulatn of Delhi (ruled Delhi for four years), Balban(1266-86) who the former slave of Iltumish and Nasir-ud din.

Among these rulers, Balban was most powerful and ruthless. He died of the trauma of his sons death in 1286. With no obvious ruler, it was best time for Khalji Afgan Turks to attack Delhi and control the empire.

Khalji Afgan Dynesty : Jalal-ud-din was the first Khalji ruler who was an officer in Slave Dyanasty. He was succeded by his nephew, Ala-ud-din Khilji who was exceptionally cruel. His death gavew birth to Tughlaq Dynasty.

Tuglaq Dynasty : Ghazi Malik proclaimed himself as the king and started to rule Delhi. He was succeeded by Mohammed Bin Tughlaq and Feroz Shah Tuglaq. Timur who was a powerful Turkic ruler ruled Delhi during the last days of Tughlaq Dynasty.

Sayyid Dynasty : Timur ruled delhi without a proper governance system until Khizir Khan proclaimed himself as the grand son of Prophet Mohammad and ruled Delhi until Lodi Dynasty came in.

Lodi Dynasty : Afgan Lodi clan, Bahlol Lodi was the first Lodi ruler here. The dynasty had two successors Sikander Lodi and Ibrahim Lodi. The demise of Lodi Sultanate braught end to centuries of cultural stagnation and there was a rise of great Mughals.

Mughals : The larger than life Mughal rulers contributed a lot to overall beautification of Delhi. Babur was the first ruler who was followed by Humayun, Afgans, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. The latter Mughals were inefficient and hence the powers were transferred to Britishers.

Britishers : Britishers came as merchants here but looted the wealth of the city to their max. They ruled Delhi for over a century and exploited the people. There were uprisings all over India and people wanted to be free. With the help of great leaders and small rulers, India got independence in 1947. Britishers left India and Delhi became the capital of newly independent nation.