Delhi — a pulsating modern city with 5,000 years of history. A city that has been the centre of power play for centuries. A city with a majestic and imperial past that has witnessed the rise and fall of many empires. Delhi is timeless in appeal. Incredible to experience. Exciting to explore. The history of Delhi is as exciting as the city itself. Delhi is said to be one of the oldest cities existing in the world, along with Damascus and Varanasi. Its existence can be traced back to the times of the Indian epic Mahabharata that narrates the creation of Indraprastha by the Pandavas. As the wheels of time turned, various kings and emperors made Delhi their royal seat. Lal Kot, Qila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or Shahjahanabad and New Delhi. Delhi has thus been christened and rechristened. But what has remained constant is the royal aura that the city holds in character.

The capital of Prithviraj Chauhan, Qila Rai Pithora, was the Delhi built in the 12th century as per available historical records. It is said that his ancestors had won the city from the Tomar Rajputs,who are credited with forming Delhi. Anangpal, a Tomar ruler,created the first known regular fort here and called it Lal Kot.Prithviraj Chauhan extended the city beyond the fort. The ruins of its ramparts are still visible around Qutub Minar and Mehrauli

In 1192, Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan and left Delhi to his slave Qutub-ud-din Aibak. Aibak, in turn, captured Delhi the subsequent year. In 1206, when Ghori was assassinated,Aibak declared himself the ruler of Delhi and the Slave Dynasty was started. This was also the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate.

Mehrauli came into being and Qutub-ud-din made Delhi into an architectural wonder. The Slave Dynasty ruled until 1290. One of the prominent rulers was Razia Sultan, who ruled for just three years but became the first woman Emperor of India.

Sites: Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Tomb of Balban, Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, Jahaz Mahal, Zafar Mahal of Bahadur Shah II alias Lal Mahal, Hauz-i-Shamsi and Tomb of Adham Khan.