The excavations of the ancient mound of indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas, located withing the fold of the sixteenth century Purana Qila revealed evidence of continuous habitation of the site for almost 2500 years.

According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas founded their capital indrapratha in the region known as Khandava-prastha. Delhi was also witness to the glories of the Maurya Empire during 3rd century BC. The Ashokan edict engraved on a rock in East of Kailash as well as remains found in Purana Quila excavations belonging to the Mauryan period point to Delhi's importance during this era.

The first city of Delhi, Lal Kot was founded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal, in the 11th century. It was extended to Qila Rai Pithora by King Vigraharaja IV (Circa 1153-64). Qutbuddin Aibak became Delhi's first Sultan in 1206 and laid the foundations of the Qutb Minar, India's tallest stone tower at the site of the first city of Delhi subsequently the kings of the Sultanate dynasties, Khaljis, Tughluqs Sayyids and Lodis continued to build. New cities as Delhi grew.

The second city around Siri by Alaud-Din Khalji (1296-1316); Tughlaqabad, the third city built by Ghiysud-Din Tughlug (1321-51); Firuzabad, the fifth city of Delhi, is now represented by Kotla Firuz Shah, founded by Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-88).

It was Humayun who laid the foundations of the sixth city - Dinpanah. This was destroyed and reconstructed as the Purana Qila by Sher Shah Suri however, it was the Mughals who took Delhi to the zenith of architectural glory.

While some construction activities did continue during the reign of Akbar (1556-1605) and Jehangir (1605-27), it was Shah Jehan (1628-58) who built the seventh city, Shahjahanabad which remained the Mughal capital until 1857.

The British in 1911 shifted the capital of India to Delhi. The eighth city of New Delhi took shape in the imperial style of architecture. From then to now Delhi continues to throb with vitality and hope.

The ruins and ramparts still stand tall in dignity - and amidst them rise modern buildings and giant skyscrapers. It's a breathtaking synthesis of yesterday and tomorrow, the holding on to the past and surging ahead to the furture.
 

Sightseeing of Delhi:

PLACES OF DELHI:

Chandni Chowk
Old Delhi
The Ghats
Rajpath & India Gate
Crafts Museum
Gandhi Darshan & Gandhi National Museum
Dara Shikoh Library
Dolls Museum
National Science Centre

FORTS & MONUMENTS:
Humayun's Tomb
Old Fort
Safdarjung Tomb
Jantar Mantar
Red Fort
Qutab Minar

PLACES OF WORSHIP:
Jama Masjid
The Bahai Temple
Nizam-Ud-Din Shrine
Lakshmi Narayan Temple
ISKCON Temple
Chattarpur Mandir
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Sisgunj Gurudwara

BOTANICAL GARDENS :
The Gardens
Moghul Gardens
Rose Garden
Lodhi Garden
The Zoo

MUSEUMS:
National Rail Museum
National Museum
Museum of Natural History
Nehru Museum & Planetorium
Crafts Museum
Gandhi Darshan & Gandhi National Museum
Dara Shikoh Library
Dolls Museum
National Science Centre

Agra Introduction:-
Agra was once the capital of the Mughal empire and even today it seems to linger in the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world. It is very easy to slip away here through the centuries into the grandeur and intrigues of the Mughal court. Agra is an old city and it is said that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest thats finds mention in the epic.

Agra History:-
In more recent times Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodi made it his capital city in 1501. The Lodi rule was to end very soon and Agra passed into the possession of the Mughals. It was during the time of the third emperor Akbar that Agra came into its own. He embarked on the construction of the massive Agra Fort in 1565. Though Akbar was diverted into building a new capital at Fatehpur Sikari not far away, Agra continued to retain its importance and Shah Jehan, Akbar's grandson ornamented the city with that masterpiece of Mughal architecture -the Taj Mahal and built several other beautiful buildings within the Agra Fort.

Agra Festivals:-
Agra city livens up during the festive time of the Taj Mahotsav which is organised during February.Its a 10 day extravaganza which is held in the Shilpgram which is close to Taj Mahal.It brings out the arts,crafts and culture of India.It has classical dance and song performances by well known artists in India.Apart from this ghazal programmes are also organised and not to miss out on Camel and Elephant rides and Games which are a pass time for Children and elders also.Agra is best known for its Id Melas and the colourful Tazias taken out on Muharram.

Agra Best Season:-
Summers are very hot and winters chilling cold. The temperature difference between the summers and winters is very high. The monsoon although provides some respite from the heat but the rains leaves the city very dirty. It is better to plan your Agra trip between the months of March and October.

Sightseeing of Agra:

TAJ MAHAL
ITMAD-UD-DAULAH'S TOMB
AGRA FORT
JAHANGIR MAHAL
CHISTI'S TOMB
Sikandra
Fatehpur Sikari
The Buland Darwaja
Palace of Jodh Bai
Panch Mahal

Agra General Info:-