The Slave Dynasty, and the Lodis and Tughlaqs came to the Mehrauli side of Delhi. This is the most ancient area of Delhi with the Qutb Minar and Tughlakabad Fort. Even the Rajuts lived in the region for some time and Prithviraj Chauhan developed Rai Pithoragarh here. In fact, pillars from it have been used in the Islamic structure of Qutb Minar.
North Delhi (mid 17th century onwards…)
Then the Mughals came. Shah Jahan established Shahjahanabad at opposite end of Mehrauli. Shahjahanabad is present-day Old Delhi – the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk (full of gramaphone shops) and Jama Masjid.
Central Delhi (late 19th century onwards…)
The Brits chose a barren patch of land bang in the middle of South and North Delhi. This became Connaught Place. High up on Raisina hill, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President’s residence and the largest palace in the world, was built. It was originally made for the Viceroy but soon after the construction was completed, the Britishers were kicked out India. (Heh heh..)
How did east and west Delhi came about? Maybe a spontaneous proliferation of concrete. I don’t know. And that’s how Delhi came to be made. One BIG city.
