Delhi India: Urban Analysis

ARC590
History of Cities and Urban Form
Student:
Jianwei Li Master of Urban Design
Professor: Jean-Francois Lejeune

Delhi India:
Part I Location

Global scale

territorial scale

Where is Delhi ?
Delhi is the capital of India, its third-largest city and North India's industrial hub.As far as the location of Delhi is concerned, it
stands in the middle of the Indian sub-continent, between the Himalayas and Aravallis range. Bordered by Haryana in the east
and by Uttar Pradesh across the river Yamuna, Delhi is located approximately 213 to 305 m above the sea level. It is around 33
miles and 30 miles broad.

Delhi India:
Territory

regional map of India

division of Delhi

The National Capital Territory of Delhi is stretched over an area of 1483 sq km. The city was named Dilli or Delhi after him.
Besides the early settlements, there exist distinct sites of six cities, built by successive occupants of different Imperial throne,
named after the emperor of the time. Some of them are now scattered ruins. The seventh city of Delhi, Shahjahanabad, was
built by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor in 1638 on the banks of the river Jamuna and is today known as the Old Delhi.

Delhi India:
Topography

Climate of india

Delhi India:

early Settlement

Delhi India:
Part II History (3000BCE-1180)

The earliest
architectural relics
inscription of the
Mauryan Emperor
Ashoka (273236 BC)

The Maurya Empire (322-185 BCE)

was established by Chandragupta
Maurya and flourished under
Ashoka the great.

How Delhi evolve??

Harappan Civilization (33001300 BCE)

Delhi India:
Part II History (3000BCE-1180)

1.Indraprasth is one of the ancient cities of the Hindus in 3100.B.C.

Presently there are no historical remains of the city of Indraprastha.
But there was a village by the name of Indrapat at Purana Quila (old
fort) which was shifted by the Britishers to construct Lutyens New
Delhi.

development of the city(seven city) 1st

Delhi India:
Part II History (3000BCE-1180)

2. Lal Kot 1060 A.D. (Lal Kot means Red Fort): After
the Mahabharat period the city Delhi was ruled by different rulers. In
between Swaroop dutt, a lieutenant of king of Kannauj also built a city
in the name of his king Dhillu. However, in the year 736 AD Hindu
ruler Anangpal Tomar - I rebuilt this city. As per the inscription on the
iron pillar Anangpal -II built Delhi (Lal Kot) in1052 AD. Anangpal
Tomar - II had also constructed 27 Hindu Temples within Lal Kot where
later Qutub (Minar) Complex was constructed.

development of the city(seven city) 2nd

Delhi India:
Part II History (1180- 1526)
Delhi Sultanate period

Afghan invader Muhammad Ghori 1192

Turkic Invader Iltutmish (121136)
Khilji dynasty (12901320)
Muhammad bin Tughluq (13251351)
Firoz Shah Tughlaq (13511388)
Sayyid dynasty (14141451)
Afghan Lodhi dynasty (14511526)

Delhi was ruled by a succession of Turkic and an Afghan,

Lodhi dynasty. Delhi has served as a capital of various
kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, ransacked and
rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval
period. Mughal emperors made Agra the capital during the
16th and 17th centuries

Delhi India:
Part II History (1180- 1526)

3. Siri : Allauddin Khilji in the year of 1303 A.D. constructed his

separate capital about 2.5 miles north-east of Lal Kot and named it
as Siri which was situated near the present days village Shahpur Jat.
It was Allauddin Khilji who built a huge water tank called Hauz-eAlai or Hauz Khas (means the main - water tank) for supply of
water to the city Siri. At the time of construction of Siri there were
only two cities i.e. Rai Pithora and Kilokhari, on the western side of
river Yamuna.

development of the city(seven city) 3rd

Delhi India:
Part II History (1180- 1526)

4. Tughlaqabad 1321 A.D. : Giyasuddin Tughlaq (Ghazi Malik) constructed

this city on the hills during 1321-1323 surrounded by hills. The area of
Tughlaqabad city was about four miles and 56 palaces, 52 doors, 7 water
storage tanks and 3 baolis(Stepwells). There is one Sher Mandal on height
in this fort from which the entire fort can be seen. It is amazing that this
huge fort was constructed in the short period of three years. Giyasuddin
Tughlaq could not, however, enjoy this fort as he expired in 1325 AD. The
tomb of Giyasuddin Tuglaq in also opposite to this

development of the city(seven city)

development of the city(seven city) 4th

Delhi India:
Part II History (1180- 1526)

5. Jahapanha 1327 A.D. : As there was dense population between two

earlier cities Raipithora and Siriincluding the villages Hauzrani, Khidaki and Tuti Sarai which were required to be protected
from Mewatis and Mughals robbers hence Mohammad Tuglaq, in
1327 AD fortified these two cities and named it Jahapanha which
means shelter for entire world. This capital was having total thirteen
(13) gates of which none of them remains.

development of the city(seven city)

development of the city(seven city) 5th

Delhi India:
Part II History (1180- 1526)

6. Firozabad 1354 AD: Firozshah Tuglaq constructed his new city

Firozabad on the bank of Yamuna in 1354 AD. As Firozshah was
interested in hunting hence he constructed two Hunting Boxs as Kushak-eshikar, is near Bada Hindu Rao Hospital (also known as Pir Gaib) and
another is at Teen Murti Bhawan (known as Kushak Mahal). During
his regime about 7 big mosques were constructed in Delhi. This city
Firozabad was double in area of Shahajanbad, built later. In his palace,
Firozshah built two interesting buildings Jami Masjid and column of
Ashoka.

development of the city(seven city) 6th

Delhi India:
Part II History (1526 - 1818)
Delhi Sultanate period

Mughal Empire (15261758)

Maratha Empire (17611818)

Shah Jahan built the seventh city of Delhi that bears his name Shahjahanabad,
which served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1638 and is today known as
the Old Delhi

Delhi India:
Part II History (1526 - 1818)

development of the city(seven city) 7th

Delhi India:
Part II History (1526 - 1818)
7. Shahjahanabad 1648 A.D. : Shahjahanabad is a walled city
constructed by Mughal emperor Shahjahan between 1638 to
1648. The palace of this city is known as Red Fort or Lal Quila
which is on the western Bank of river Yamuna. This walled city was
having 14 gates and 14 windows out of which only 4 gates are left
now namely Kashmere Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate and Delhi
Gate. The outer wall of this city was repaired by British in 1828.
Shahjahanabad is a bow shaped city and also having the famous
Chandni Chawk Bazar Kunchas, Katras, Galies and Havelies.

Old Street Piazza

Red Fort

Jama Mosque

Delhi India:
Part II History 1858

Delhi India:
Part II History 1858

the Siege of Delhi

By Illustrated London News, Jan. 16, 1858

Delhi India:
Part II History (1803- 1947)
ruled by british

In 1803
British East India Company
defeated the Maratha
forces in the Battle of Delhi

In 1857
Delhi fell to the forces of East
India Company after a bloody
fight known as the Siege of Delhi

Delhi India:
Part III Citys growth
delhi and its environs, Based on
Survey of India map(1877) and (1905)

Delhi India:

Modern Delhi, (1849-50 )

Part III Citys growth

Wall of shajahanbad

red fort

Modern Delhi at The Turn of Century

(about 1900), with Railway lines and
Station laid
These Gates were torn down

Old Delhi Station

Jama mosque
New Delhi Station

Wall Gate

Railway Station

Delhi India:
Part III Citys growth

Delhi (modern city) in 1914

Environs of Delhi in 1914

Delhi India:

Inspiration of plan of Delhi

Part III Citys form

Place de letoile(Paris)

plan of Washington

The British hold over the subcontinent secured, transfer of the capital from Calcuttas remote southeastern
location to a more central and historical, place with its assertive avenues, vistas, axial approach, and foci, the
design of New Delhi was inspired by the plans of Rome, Paris, and Washington,D.C.

Delhi India:

Designer of plan of Delhi

Part III Citys form--- Lutyens Delhi

Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA, was a British
architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional
architectural styles to the requirements of his era. He designed
many English country houses. He has been referred to as "the
greatest British architect" and is known best for having an
instrumental role in designing and building a section of the
metropolis of Delhi, known as New Delhi, which would later on
serve as the seat of the Government of India. In recognition of his
contribution, New Delhi is also known as "Lutyens' Delhi".

Delhi India:

Designer of plan of Delhi

Part III Citys form--- Lutyens Delhi

Sir Herbert Baker was a British architect. In collaboration

with Sir Edwin Lutyens, he was instrumental in several
monuments in New Delhi such as the India Gate; he also
designed Viceroy's House, which is now known as the
Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Delhi India:
Part III Citys form

Geometrical Order of New Delhi

Delhi India:
Part III Citys form

Extension of Delhi between 1913 to 1940

Delhi India:
Part III Citys form

Plan of Imperial Delhi, India, 1912-1930

Delhi India:
Part IV

chronological Analysis in GIS

Delhi India:
Part IV

2.Red Fort

3.Victorys House

7.Connaught Place

Space Analysis in GIS

Delhi India:
Part IV

Space Analysis in GIS

Delhi India:
Part IV

Space Analysis in GIS

Delhi India:
Part IV

Figure-Ground Analysis

Delhi India:
Part V

3D model

India Gate

Delhi India:
Part V

3D model
Purana Qila

OLD DELHI INDIA:

Part VI Modern Delhi
Urban Image

By F.S.Shazuddin

NEW DELHI INDIA:

Part VI Modern Delhi
Urban Image

By F.S.Shazuddin

DELHI INDIA:
Chaotic Streets

Dense population

Diverse religions

ancient culture

Part VI Modern Delhi

Urban Image

delhi India: Urban Analysis

Part VI Modern Delhi
Future

Delhi India: Urban Analysis

Part VI Modern Delhi
Future

delhi India: Urban Analysis

Reference
1.<DELHI- MASTER PLAN 2021 Rupa & Co

2.<Learning from delhi---dispersed initiatives in changing urban

landscapes> ASHGATE Co
3. www.library.cornell.edu/Reps/DOCS/sitte.htm
4. http://aquarium.lipetsk.ru/discovery/india/Delhi_Guide.htm
5. http://www.cs.jhu.edu/~bagchi/delhi/index.html
6. http://www.cityvisitguide.com/asia/old-delhi.htm
7. http://delhikivirasat.com/cities-delhi.html