It consists of a rectangular courtyard enclosed by cloisters, erected over the carved columns and architectural members of demolished 27 Hindu and Jain temples. With in the mosque complex is the Iron Pillar dating back to 4th century AD. The pillar bears an inscription stating that it was erected as a flagstaff in honor of the Hindu god, Vishnu, and in the memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta II (BC 375-413). The pillar is the outstanding example of advancement of metallurgy in India; it is made of 98 per cent wrought iron and has shown on signs of rusting or decomposing even after standing in open for almost 1,600 years. Alai Darwaza is the southern gateway of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. Constructed in AD 1311 by Ala-ud-Din Khalji, the gateway is remarkable for the use of horseshoe arch and true dome for the first time in India.
Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-Din
Tughlaq in the ruined city of Tughlaqabad is the fine representation of Tughlaq architecture of the Historic Delhi. The tomb once stood in the middle of a reservoir and was approached by a fortified causeway from the fort. Built like a pentagon in design, the mausoleum is very simple made of sloping red sandstone walls. All the four walls have arched gateways decorated with delicate latticework and the dome is made entirely of white marble.
Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's Tomb is an outstanding example of Mughal splendor in the Historic Delhi. Bega Begum or Haji Begum, the Persian wife of Humayun, patronized the construction of the last resting place for her husband from 1562 to 1572 AD. Persian architect, Mirak Mirza Ghiyuath, designed the mausoleum, which clearly reflects the Persian influence. The first garden tomb of India, Humayun's Tomb stands in the middle of 36 equal gardens divided by a grid of water channels and paths. The octagonal tomb is placed over a square plinth with colonnades. The central chamber has four offsets; double storeyed with arcade on their facades and perforated screen openings. Three arches with central one being the highest dominate each side. The cenotaph of the emperor his queen Bega begum is in the central room. The tomb is crowned by 42.5 m high colossal double dome.
Red Fort
Red Fort is the last marvelous Mughal fort in the Historic Delhi. Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan laid the foundation of the Red Fort in 1618 AD and it was completed in 1647 AD. Built of largely of red sandstone, the fort is covered with shell plaster polish to look like ivory. The important buildings with the fort are the Chatta Chowk, Nawab Khana, Diwan-I-Aam, Diwan-I-Khas, Rang Mahal, Pearl Mosque, Musamman Burj, Khwabgah and Hammans.
Safdarjung's Tomb
Safdarjung's Tomb represents the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture in the Historic Delhi. Nawab Shauja-ud-Daula built the Safdarjang's Tomb in the memory of his father who was a Minister in the Mughal court in 1753 AD. The simple yet graceful tomb stands in the middle of an expansive garden. There is a mosque as well in the tomb.
Rashtrapati Bhawan
Rashtrapati Bhawan is a symbol of British era in the Historic Delhi. Built as the residence of the Viceroy of India, it now houses the President of India. Built over the Raisina Hill and designed by Lutyens, the Rashtrapati Bhawan is larger than the Palace of Versailles. One should not miss to visit the Mughal Gardens while visiting the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Lady Harding had asked Lutyens to design a terraced garden within the palace complex similar to the ones she had seen in Kashmir. A series of ornamental fountains, waterfalls, walls, paved pathways belvederes and screens combined with scores of ornamental and fruit bearing trees, flowers and shrubs fulfilled the desire of the Lady Harding. The Mughal Gardens are open for public during the spring season when the nature is in its best.
India Gate
The India Gate, located in Rajpath, was the first gate constructed by the British in the Historic Delhi. Built as a War Memorial to commemorate the death of 90,000 India soldiers killed in the North West Province during the First World War and the Afghan Fiasco of 1919 AD, The India Gate was also designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The Duke of Connaught laid the foundation of this Memorial on 10th February 1921 and the memorial was ready in 1931 AD. The gate is built of sandstone with the names of the soldiers inscribed on the walls. An eternal flame called Amar Jawan Jyoti is always kept burning to honor the soldiers who were killed in the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Connaught Place
Connaught Place in central Delhi was designed as the hub for business, shopping and entertainment in the Historic Delhi. Named after the Duke of Connaught, it was designed by Robert Tor Russell jointly with W H Nichols. The entire place comprises of two huge concentric circles of columned galleries made of plastered brick design painted in white. Initially, the ground floors were the offices or shops for all sorts of business activities and upper floors were used as resident quarters.
