HISTORY OF DELHI

Delhi, the capital of India has a strong historical background. It

was ruled by some of the most powerful emperors in Indian
history.

The history of the city is as old as the epic Mahabharata. The

town was known as Indraprastha, where Pandavas used to live.
In due course eight more cities came alive adjacent to
Indraprastha: Lal Kot, Siri, Dinpanah, Quila Rai Pithora,
Ferozabad, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad and Shahjahanabad.

Delhi has been a witness to the political turmoil for over five
centuries. It was ruled by the Mughals in succession to Khiljis and
Tughlaqs.

In 1192 the legions of the Afghan warrior Muhammad of Ghori

captured the Rajput town, and the Delhi Sultanate was
established (1206). The invasion of Delhi by Timur in 1398 put an
end to the sultanate; the Lodis, last of the Delhi sultans, gave
way to Babur, who, after the battle of Panipat in 1526, founded
the Mughal Empire. The early Mughal emperors favoured Agra as
their capital, and Delhi became their permanent seat only after
Shah Jahan built (1638) the walls of Old Delhi.

From Hindu Kings to Muslim Sultans, the reins of the city kept
shifting from one ruler to another. 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 for their owners and people who lived here centuries
back.

In the year 1803 AD, the city came under the British rule. In
1911, British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi. It again
became the center of all the governing activities. But, the city has
the reputation of over throwing the occupants of its throne. It
included the British and the current political parties that have had
the honour of leading free India.

After independence in 1947, New Delhi was officially declared as

the Capital of India.
 CHIEF MINISTER OF DELHI

Arvind Kejriwal (born 16 August 1968) is an Indian politician

and a former bureaucrat who is the current and 7th Chief Minister
of Delhi since February 2015. He was also the Chief Minister of
Delhi from December 2013 to February 2014, stepping down
after 49 days of assuming power. Currently, he is the national
convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, which won the 2015 Delhi
Assembly elections with a historic majority, obtaining 67 out of
70 assembly seats.

TENURE –

Sl.No Chief Minister From To Party Name

1 Arvind Kejriwal 16 Feb 2020 Present Aam Aadmi Party

2 Arvind Kejriwal 14 Feb 2015 15 Feb 2020 Aam Aadmi Party

FOOD DELICACIES
Delhi is a melting pot of various cultures and races who
enrich the variety of the gastronomic range in the city. From
Chandni Chowk to Majnu ka Tilla, Delhi is replete with many
culinary delights.

1. Paranthas

From being the perfect start to a “healthy” morning in most Delhi households, to a meal for
hungry college students and even a late-night snack, paranthas are definitely on the top of the
list when it comes to my favorite food in Delhi. Choose from a plain one or select a stuffing of
your choice - potatoes, cauliflower, radish, eggs, keema, bananas or even last night’s left over dal
- the options are galore.

Where can I try this dish? Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk, whose past customers include
the likes of Maharajah of Kashmir and even Prime Minister Nehru and his family; Moolchand
Parathe Wala located in South Delhi was SRK’s favorite when he used to live in Delhi.
2.Chaat

if there is one thing that keeps the Delhi food scene ticking it’s the Street
Food. With a variety that is unmatched, eating on the streets of Delhi is a
crash course in the history and culture of the place. Chandni Chowk is
undoubtedly the Street Food Capital of Delhi, and while no guide book can
actually pinpoint the best places for Chaat, there are some landmark food
haunts that really stand out. Of course, if you aren’t willing to travel that far,
fret not for there are plenty of options for street food in Delhi.

Where can I try the dish? UPSC building, Shahjahan Road; Bittu Tikki Wala,
Karol Bagh; Daulat ki Chaat, Chandni Chowk; Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala,
Chandni Chowk

3.Chole bhature
Here’s a piece of advice: This dish is best enjoyed on an empty
stomach. Rich, spicy and heavy, this is one of the most
popular Punjabi dishes and is definitely on my list of top 10 must-
try dishes in Delhi. Don’t be surprised if you find it on the
breakfast menu of restaurants across the capital. You can find
this lip smacking dish at all food joints, be it local joints or
restaurants, given its popularity with delhiites. It is generally
accompanied with Lassi.

Where can I try this dish? Sitaram Diwan Chand, Paharganj;

Chache Di Hatti Kamla Nagar
SPORTS STADIUM IN DELHI
The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, commonly known
by its former name National Stadium, is a field hockey stadium
in New Delhi, India. The stadium is named after former
Indian field hockey player, Dhyan Chand It served as the venue
for the 1st Asian Games in 1951.

Address-नैशनल स्टेडियम, India Gate Cir, National Stadium, India

Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110001
Opened: 1933
Former names: Irwin Amphitheatre; National Stadium
Capacity: 16,200 after most recent renovation works
Owner: Sports Authority of India

Importance - Chand is most remembered for his goal-

scoring feats and for his three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932,
and 1936) in field hockey, while India was dominant in the sport.
He joined the Indian army in 1922 and came to prominence when
he toured New Zealand with the army team in 1926.
IMPORTANT RULER OF DELHI
1)Muḥammad ibn Tughluq, (born c. 1290, Delhi, India—died
March 20, 1351, Sindh [now in Pakistan]), second sultan of
the Tughluq dynasty (reigned 1325–51), who briefly extended the
rule of the Delhi sultanate of northern India over most of the
subcontinent. As a result of misguided administrative actions and
unexampled severity toward his opponents, he eventually lost his
authority in the south; at the end of his reign, the sultanate had
begun to decline in power.

2) Quṭb al-Dīn Aibak, Aibak also spelled Aybak, (born 1150 —

died 1210), a founder of Muslim rule in India and an
able general of Muʿizz al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Sām of Ghūr.

Delhi: Quṭb Mīnār

In childhood Quṭb was sold as a slave and raised at Nishapur. He
came into the possession of Muʿizz al-Dīn, who put him in charge
of the royal stables. Eventually he was appointed
to military command, and in 1193, after conquering Delhi, Muʿizz
al-Dīn returned to Khorāsān and left the consolidation of the
Ghūrid conquests in northwest India to Quṭb. With his
headquarters at Delhi, Quṭb subjugated areas between
the Ganges (Ganga) and Yamuna (Jumna) rivers. He then turned
his attention to the Rajputs who were still resisting Ghūrid
domination. In 1195–1203 he mounted campaigns against their
strongholds, while his lieutenant Bakhtiyār Khaljī
conquered Bihar and Bengal.
When Muʿizz al-Dīn was assassinated (1206), Quṭb al-Dīn was his
logical successor. He was still technically a slave, and he quickly
obtained manumission. He married the daughter of Tāj al-Dīn
Yildiz of Ghazna, one of the other principal claimants to succeed
Muʿizz al-Dīn, and, by other judiciously arranged marriages,
consolidated his rule. His son-in-law, ablest general, and
successor, Iltutmish (reigned 1211–36), basing his power on the
conquests of Quṭb, was able to establish the independence of
the Delhi sultanate.
Surviving inscriptions describe Quṭb as malik (“king”), and
the Quṭb Mīnār in Delhi still stands to commemorate his victories.
He died of injuries received in a polo match.