PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST IN AND AROUND DELHI

Qutab Minar -
This tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. There are two schools of thought about the origin of Qutab Minar. One is that this tower was erected to mark the beginning of Muslim rule in India and the other is that it served as a minaret to the faithful for prayer.

The first Muslim ruler of Delhi Qutab-ud-din-Aibak started construction of this monument in 1200 AD but could finish the basement only. His successors then finished the entire monument in parts by way of additions to it and thus the material used for construction also differs. Some of the construction pillars are even taken from Hindu temples.

Red Fort -
As it is built up of red stone, this fort is called Red Fort. The last Mughal king in India Bhadur Shah Zafar was deposed here by the British to end the Mughal rule in India. There are different other buildings in the Red Fort complex worth witnessing. It was here only that the first Prime Minister of independent India declared the end of British colonial rule in India. This fort thus bears great historical importance in India.

Jama Masjid -
This is the largest mosque in India built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The construction started in 1650 AD and it took six years to complete the construction. Jama Masjid boasts of the marvel of the British architecture in India. It also has great religious importance as it houses a chapter of Holy Quran written by the Prophet.

India Gate -
It is a memorial built to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers killed in World War I.

Other places of interest in Delhi are Purana Quila (meaning the old fort), Jantar Mantar (an observatory), Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjung's Tomb etc. Most of these depict the marvel of Mughal Architecture in India.