Old Delhi
When the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan decided to move back from Agra to Delhi in 1638, he built within 10 years the huge city of Shah Jahanabad, now known as Old Delhi. The main street is Chandni Chowk, a fascinating bustling jumble of craft shops, traders, mosques and temples.The magnificent Red Fort contains opulent palaces and impressive public buildings. The Fort is modeled on the Red Fort in Agra from where the Mughal capital shifted to Delhi.
Near the Red Fort is the magnificent Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, built by Shah Jehan, the creator of the ethereal Taj Mahal.
New Delhi
Most of New Delhi, with its handsome buildings, was created during the British Raj. Visitors can see the India Gate (an Indian Arc d'Triomphe), the impressive Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India, which was the imperial palace of the British viceroy.South of New Delhi are the Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, both World Heritage Sites. The Qutab Minar has a 5-storey, 72-metre victory tower of red sandstone. Humayun’s Tomb is an exquisite building set in spread-out gardens. This mausoleum was the first to introduce a domed style building, the design of which was later used for the Taj Mahal.
