Dillinama : The Cities of Delhi

Contents: Preface. Foreword. 1. Introduction. 2. The prehistoric settlement. 3. Indraprastha-the legendary city. 4. Dilli and Lal Kot. 5. Mehrauli-the city of Qutab. 6. Siri-the city of Khiljis. 7. Tughlaqabad of Tughlaqs. 8. Jahanpanah: the habitat of the world. 9. Ferozabad-the Rome of Asia. 10. Delhi of Saiyyads and Lodhis. 11. Din-Panah the abode of the poor. 12. Shergarh-the citadel of Shershah Suri... Delhi a megacity of 16.75 million and capital of India, is a living legend with 2000 years of history. Its fabric is imprinted by many cultures of innumerable kingdoms. Its tapestry is embellished with the annals of glorious cities that have risen and fallen here. It is a city of contrasts and contradictions of triumph and tragedy and of chaos and order. All this adds up in a unique charactera vibrant throbbing inimitable charm, which is aptly described by poet Firdaus in the inscription in the Diwan-e-Khas at Red Fort, Agar Firdaus barre Zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto (if there is paradise on earth it is this oh it is this).