NDTV had unveiled 7 wonders of Delhi in 2009 based on the user polls. Here's the list of these wonders:
7. Tughlaqabad Fort
The Tughlaqabad Fort is the seventh most popular wonder in Delhi. It was built by the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. The fort was built in the year 1321. An interesting legend is associated with this fort. It is said that the emperor was so obsessed with its construction that he ordered all laborers in the region to work on his fort and nowhere else. This mandate angered a Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya, whose baoli (well) construction was stalled due to the emperor’s order. Angered, the saint cursed the emperor and according to local beliefs, the emperor died soon after and the fort was left incomplete.
6. Rashtrapati Bhavan And Mughal Gardens
The official home of the President of India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and its associated Mughal Gardens together constitute one of the Seven Wonders In Delhi. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is located at the Rajpath’s western end. It is a 340-room mansion that houses the official residence of the President, guest rooms, offices, and reception halls. The Presidential Estate occupies an area of 320 acres. The Mughal Gardens located here are beautifully landscaped gardens with a large number of flowering plants.
5. Humayun's Tomb
The fifth wonder from Delhi is the Humayun's Tomb. It is based on the Yamuna River’s banks. The tomb of the Mughal Emperor was commissioned by his first wife, Empress Bega Begum. It was built between 1569 and 1570. Two Persian architects were tasked with designing the tomb. It is regarded as the Indian subcontinent’s first garden-tomb. The red sandstone structure was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1993. There are several other monuments in the complex. Tombs of Humayun’s wives and other family members as well as those of many other Mughals. The Charbagh garden of the complex was the first of its kind in India at its time and represented a typical Persian garden.
4. Masjid-i Jahān-Numā/Jama Masjid
Popularly referred to as the Jama Masjid, this is one of India’s largest mosques. The Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, is credited with building this mosque. It was built between 1644 and 1656 at a hefty cost. The mosque has three gates, two minarets, and four towers, and a capacity to host 25,000 worshippers in its central courtyard. 899 black borders have been marked on the floor to allow the Muslims to offer their daily prayers. The grand and beautiful mosque is the fourth wonder from Delhi.
3. Qutub Minar
The Qutb Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located in Delhi’s Mehrauli area. It is one of the top tourist sports for visitors to Delhi. The tapering tower has a height of 239.5 ft with a spiral staircase of 379 steps leading to the top. There are five stories in the tower. The construction of the imposing structure was first commisioned by the Delhi Sultanate’s founder, Qutab Ud-Din-Aibak. Work started on the tower around 1192. Later, his son-in-law and successor completed the construction. The Qutb Minar is not the only historical attraction at the site but is surrounded by a mosque and the Iron Pillar.
2. Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is the most recently built of the Seven Wonders Of Delhi. This Bahá'í House of Worship was completed in 1986 at the cost of $10 million. As the name suggests, the temple has been designed like a lotus flower. It has 27 free-standing marble clad structures arranged in three clusters that together represent the layers of a lotus flower. The structure has nine sides with nine entrances leading into the central hall. The hall has a capacity of 2,500 people. The Lotus Temple is accessible to all and has been one of the biggest attractions in Delhi since its inauguration. It also continues to grab the attention of international media and travel companies due to its unique design.
1. Red Fort
The historic Red Fort is the most popular of the Seven Wonders of India and that is definitely not surprising. The Red Fort is not just a historical building but it plays a vital role even today. Several important national ceremonies and functions are hosted at this fort like the Independence Day celebrations by the Indian Government. The Red Fort served as the main residence of the Mughal royal family since their capital shifted to Delhi. There are many museums inside the fort complex that display exhibits from Indian history. The Red Fort is another brilliant creation of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who is also credited with the construction of the Taj Mahal. The fort was built in 1639. Since then, the fort has been witness to several historic events that shaped the future of India. Thus, the UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 2007.
7. Tughlaqabad Fort
The Tughlaqabad Fort is the seventh most popular wonder in Delhi. It was built by the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. The fort was built in the year 1321. An interesting legend is associated with this fort. It is said that the emperor was so obsessed with its construction that he ordered all laborers in the region to work on his fort and nowhere else. This mandate angered a Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya, whose baoli (well) construction was stalled due to the emperor’s order. Angered, the saint cursed the emperor and according to local beliefs, the emperor died soon after and the fort was left incomplete.
6. Rashtrapati Bhavan And Mughal Gardens
The official home of the President of India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and its associated Mughal Gardens together constitute one of the Seven Wonders In Delhi. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is located at the Rajpath’s western end. It is a 340-room mansion that houses the official residence of the President, guest rooms, offices, and reception halls. The Presidential Estate occupies an area of 320 acres. The Mughal Gardens located here are beautifully landscaped gardens with a large number of flowering plants.
5. Humayun's Tomb
The fifth wonder from Delhi is the Humayun's Tomb. It is based on the Yamuna River’s banks. The tomb of the Mughal Emperor was commissioned by his first wife, Empress Bega Begum. It was built between 1569 and 1570. Two Persian architects were tasked with designing the tomb. It is regarded as the Indian subcontinent’s first garden-tomb. The red sandstone structure was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1993. There are several other monuments in the complex. Tombs of Humayun’s wives and other family members as well as those of many other Mughals. The Charbagh garden of the complex was the first of its kind in India at its time and represented a typical Persian garden.
4. Masjid-i Jahān-Numā/Jama Masjid
Popularly referred to as the Jama Masjid, this is one of India’s largest mosques. The Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, is credited with building this mosque. It was built between 1644 and 1656 at a hefty cost. The mosque has three gates, two minarets, and four towers, and a capacity to host 25,000 worshippers in its central courtyard. 899 black borders have been marked on the floor to allow the Muslims to offer their daily prayers. The grand and beautiful mosque is the fourth wonder from Delhi.
3. Qutub Minar
The Qutb Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located in Delhi’s Mehrauli area. It is one of the top tourist sports for visitors to Delhi. The tapering tower has a height of 239.5 ft with a spiral staircase of 379 steps leading to the top. There are five stories in the tower. The construction of the imposing structure was first commisioned by the Delhi Sultanate’s founder, Qutab Ud-Din-Aibak. Work started on the tower around 1192. Later, his son-in-law and successor completed the construction. The Qutb Minar is not the only historical attraction at the site but is surrounded by a mosque and the Iron Pillar.
2. Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is the most recently built of the Seven Wonders Of Delhi. This Bahá'í House of Worship was completed in 1986 at the cost of $10 million. As the name suggests, the temple has been designed like a lotus flower. It has 27 free-standing marble clad structures arranged in three clusters that together represent the layers of a lotus flower. The structure has nine sides with nine entrances leading into the central hall. The hall has a capacity of 2,500 people. The Lotus Temple is accessible to all and has been one of the biggest attractions in Delhi since its inauguration. It also continues to grab the attention of international media and travel companies due to its unique design.
1. Red Fort
The historic Red Fort is the most popular of the Seven Wonders of India and that is definitely not surprising. The Red Fort is not just a historical building but it plays a vital role even today. Several important national ceremonies and functions are hosted at this fort like the Independence Day celebrations by the Indian Government. The Red Fort served as the main residence of the Mughal royal family since their capital shifted to Delhi. There are many museums inside the fort complex that display exhibits from Indian history. The Red Fort is another brilliant creation of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who is also credited with the construction of the Taj Mahal. The fort was built in 1639. Since then, the fort has been witness to several historic events that shaped the future of India. Thus, the UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 2007.
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