They were followed by the Sayyids and the Lodis, who tombs stand in Lodi Gardens, south of India Gate. Their defeat by the Central Asian invader Babur, in the 16th century, marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the dawn of the Mughal Empire.
Din-Panah fort (PuranaQila) was built above the Yamuna River by Babur's son, the studious Humayun, who was forced to flee by Sher Shah, an Afghan invader. Sher Shah began constructing his new capital of Shergarh, but Humayun won back Delhi in 1555 only to die a few months later when he fell down his library stairs. Akbar, Humayun's son, moved his capital to Agra. His grandson, Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, returned to Delhi in 1638 to build the glorious Shahjahanabad. This walled capital, bound by 14 gates, included most of Old Delhi, Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), the bazaars around Chandni Chowk and LalQila (Red Fort) from where he ruled his empire. Successive invasions from Persia reduced the power of the Mughals until the British took over Delhi in the 19th century. In 1911, during the visit of King George V, Delhi was declared the capital of the British Empire in India. The present city of New Delhi, designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, was completed by 1931.
Delhi Sightseeing tour by car Around Connaught Place -The circular shopping arcade of Connaught Place forms the heart of modern Delhi The colonnaded corridors were built for the British to shop in style. Concentric roads create an inner, middle and outer circle lined with shops, restaurants, street stalls and cinemas. The underground market of Palika Bazaar on the Outer Circle has tiny shops overflowing with tourist tat and touts. The tourist theme continues to the north, with the backpacker's ghetto of Paharganj Bazaar, opposite New Delhi Railway Station, which offers cheap food and accommodation, and colorful shops.
To the west, Baba Kharak Singh Marg has a row of State Government Emporia where regional handicrafts are available at regulated prices. Opposite is Hanuman Mandir, a temple dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman, a deity much revered by wrestlers. At the end of this road, to the left, rises the golden dome of Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Sikh Temple). Going southwest along Sansad Marg (Parliament Street) is the red sandstone JantarMantar , an open-air observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh I of Jaipur. It has become a focal point for political protests. To the south, Janpath is popular for its street stalls, market, western Indian women peddling embroidered fabrics and the huge Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE), which offers a glimpse of the wide range of handicrafts available in India.
Kasturba Gandhi Marg leads south to India Gate past the cultural centres of the UK and the US, which have good libraries and reading rooms in addition to cultural programmes. To the southeast, Barakhamba (Twelve Pillar) Road leads to the cultural circle with Rabindra Kala Sangam, Triveni Theatre and cafe, and various auditoria hosting regular performances of dance, music and theatre.
Delhi Sightseeing tour itinerary around India Gate and Rajpath- The area around India Gate formed the British administrative centre of Delhi with the local "Champs-Elysées" of Rajpath surrounded by lawns and shady trees, water channels and fountains. India Gate, a 42-metre (138-ft) high archway, was built at the eastern end by the British in 1931 to honour Indian soldiers who died during World War I and on the Northwest Frontier.
From here Rashtrapati Bhavan , the presidential residence (former Viceregal Lodge), can be seen at the western end of Rajpath with the circular Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House) nearby. South of RashtrapatiBhavan is Teen MurtiBhavan (9.30am-4.45pm, closed Mon) , which houses the Jawarharlal Nehru Memorial Museum in the prime minister's former residence. Nehru's study, sitting room and bedroom have been preserved and them is a very detailed exhibition of the history of the Independence struggle. The story of the Nehru/Gandhi dynasty is continued at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum (9.30am-5pm) at 1 Safdarjang Road. Close by, on Tees January Marg, is the Gandhi Museum (9am-5.30pm) in the house of the industrialist G.D. Birla. In the garden is the place where Gandhiji was assassinated, marked by a simple memorial.
South of India Gate is the National Gallery of Modern Art (open 10am-5pm, closed Mon), housed in the former Delhi home of Jaipur's royal family. Its permanent collection Includes 1930s paintings by Jamini Roy and Nandalal Bose and 18th-century Indian landscapes by Thomas and William Daniell. The ground floor is devoted to contemporary Indian artists. The National Museum (open 10am-5pm, closed Mon, ), south of Rajpath on Janpath, is noted for its Indian sculpture and jewellery collections, Chola bronzes and a Buddhist gallery, including a carved Buddhist gateway from Sanchi. Especially good is the new gallery of Adivasi culture on the second floor.
Sightseeing tour New Delhi by car package around Chanakyapuri-Southwest Rajpath is Chanakyapuri, the diplomatic enclave where the majority of foreign missions and embassies are located. The Rail Museum (open 9.30am-Pm 1.30-5pm, closed Mon) `) on Shanti Path is worth visit to see period Coaches and train paraphernalia. Shopping areas nearby includeSantushti Complex (opposite the Ashoka and Samrat hotels), Yashwant Place for leather and furs,Sarojini Nagar colony market for its street selling surplus export garments.
Delhi Sightseeing tour by car Around Lodi Gardens
South of India Gate lie most of the sites of the former cities of Delhi and many good shopping areas, such as Khan Market , which has bookshops and up-market stores selling everything for the house, including fresh flowers.
A short walk southwest along Subramania Road brings you to the beautiful Lodi Gardens with fascinating tombs set in lawns lined with rows of flowerbeds, immense trees, a bridge and walkways. Cross Lodi Road to the Jorbagh Colony Market opposite for a snack at Chocolate Wheel Bakery, or check out Steak House for a variety of Indian-made natural cheeses (yaks milk, cheddar, mozzarella) and other foodstuffs. C. Lal& Sons sells handicrafts.
Safdarjung Tomb and its adjoining rose garden are just across Aurobindo Marg. Turning south past Safdarjung Airport brings you to the popular INA fruit and vegetable market consisting of warrens of covered shacks selling meat. Fish, poultry and every imaginable household good. Across the road is the Delhi Haat Food and Crafts Bazaar, which provides a pavilion for regional crafts-people from all the Indian states and an opportunity to taste their varied cuisine.
Tourist spots covered in South Delhi sightseeing by car
Hauz Khas Village poised at the edge of a 14th-century water reservoir surrounded by parks and monuments, is south along AurobindoMarg from Lodi Gardens. The village has been transformed into an enclave of expensive boutiques, art and antiques shops, and restaurants. Traditional dance performances are often held here in the evenings.
Monuments dot the area: the ruins of Siri Fort stand near the Asian Games Village complex to the east. Southwards on AurobindoMarg, past the Outer Ring Road and Aurobindo Ashram, stands Qutub Minar This remarkable 72-metre (278-ft) high tower, engraved with verses from the Koran, was built in the 13th century by Qatb-ud-Din-Aibak, the first Muslim sultan of Delhi, to celebrate his victory over the Hindu kings. In the grounds, Aibak'sQuwwatUl Islam Mosque is believed to be the oldest in India, built using parts of demolished Hindu and Jain temples. The ruins of LalKot, Delhi's first city, are in this area.
Other historic sites dot Mehrauli Village to the west amid a labyrinth of old Indian bazaars. Further west on Gurgaon Road the tombs of JamaliKamali, noted for their coloured ceilings, and a giant statue of Mahavira face each other. Turn south again to see the spectacular modem temples and ashram complexes of Chhattarpur. These offer courses in yoga, naturotherapy, colour therapy, pyramid power and more traditional religious studies.
Delhi sightseeing by car tour package of Lal Qila and the Red Fort
This Persian couplet by the court poet Amir Khusrau is inscribed on the walls of the Diwan-e-Khas (private audience hall) in the magnificent LalQila, which once housed the legendary Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-noordia-mond (later looted by Persian forces) Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor, built the immense red sandstone fort with its palaces and halls in 1648. It is open daily from dawn to dusk; the entry point is Lahori Gate.
Inside passing through the Chatta Chowk covered market, one enters Shah Jahan's elaborate gardens. To the far right is Mumtaz Mahal (former harem) and next to it the Rang Mahal (Palace of Colours, open 10am-5pm, closed Fri), and Khas Mahal, the emperor's private apartments. The octagonal tower was used for royal public appearances (including that of Britain's George V and Queen Mary during their visit to India in 1931). Other buildings include the Diwan-e-Am (public audience hall); the royal baths and the tiny white marble Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque).
Now that the Yamuna has retreated, the fort, originally built on its banks, overlooks a large open ground. On Sundays, this becomes Chor Bazaar (the thieves' market).
Old Delhi Sightseeing
The peaceful 18th-century Qudsia Gardens near the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ism mark the northern boundary of British Delhi with its cantonment bungalows and administrative buildings of the Civil Lines and the University campus South of the gardens lies Mughal Shahjahanabad, Delhi's seventh city, with the spectacular LalQila (Red Fort) facing Chandni Chowk (meaning moonlit or silver crossroads), once the central avenue of an ancient bazaar that is still an important commercial centre.
Chandni Chowk is best explored on cycle rickshaw. Each side street has its own speciality: silver and gold at DaribaKalan, wedding paraphernalia as theatrical props at Kinari Bazaar, silk saris, copper and brassware and a fascinating, wholesale spice market (with dry fruit and nuts from Kabul) at Naya Bazaar. On Main Street is Digambara Temple, the oldest Jain Temple in Delhi, and the Bird Hospital,where injured birds are nursed back to health.
The Sisganj Gurudwara (Sikh temple), Sonehri Masjid (Golden Mosque), and Fatehpuri Masjid (1650) are some of the sites crowded between stalls selling a jumble of wares, street photographers using ancient cameras and screaming hawkers and touts. The famous sweetmeat shop of Ghantewala,established in 1790, is worth a visit. Specialities include SohnHalwa and SohnPapri (caramelised sweets made with clarified butter). South of Central Road, follow DaribaKalan to the massive red sandstone and white marble Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), the focal point for Delhi's Muslims. Commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1644, the mosque can hold 20,000 people.
Delhi sightseeing on the banks of the Yamuna
Eastward, behind the Red Fort, the Ring Road along the River Yamuna is connected by three bridges to the Trans-Yamuna residential areas. On the river bank from Red Fort to ITO Bridge are cremation grounds, now memorial paths dedicated to national leaders such as Nehru, LalBahadurShastri, Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. The Gandhi National Museum (open 9.30am-5.30pm, closed Mon) displays his few personal belongings and photographs.
Further south is PragatiMaidan - a huge exhibition complex. The adjoining Crafts Museum 21. (open 9.30am-6pm, closed Mon) has demonstrations by regional craftsmen, huts built in regional styles and an excellent crafts shop. Facing its entrance stand the ramparts of the PuranaQuila .which offer panoramic views of the city. The SherMandal Observatory, library and a boating lake (once part of the moat) surround the fort.
Delhi Zoo (open 9.30am-5.30pm, closed Fri) noted for its white tigers and pleasant grounds, is next door. It shares a border with the wealthy Sunder Nagar colony, with a market famous for antique/re production shops and sweets stalls. Mathura Road leads to Humayun'sTomb . Set in beautiful gardens, the red sandstone monument is the prototype for the Taj Mahal: Close by is the shrine of the great Sufi saint of the Chisti order, Sheikh NizamuddinAulia . (1236-1325) after whom the surrounding colonies are named.
South of Nizamuddin, the modem white marble, lotus-shaped Bahai Lotus Temple Stand on Kalkaji Hill. This was completed in 1986 as a pilgrimage site for the Bahai sect. At the ISKON culture centre,east of Kailash, there are performance where robots from Hollywood recreate Hindu legends. Nearby the colony markets (M & N Block) of Greater Kalish offers good shopping and restaurants.
South of Nizamuddin, the modem white marble, lotus-shaped Bahai Lotus Temple Stand on Kalkaji Hill. This was completed in 1986 as a pilgrimage site for the Bahai sect. At the ISKON culture centre,east of Kailash, there are performance where robots from Hollywood recreate Hindu legends. Nearby the colony markets (M & N Block) of Greater Kalish offers good shopping and restaurants.
South, on the Mehrauli-Badarpur road, the 14th century ruins of Tughlaqabad Fort . Delhi's third city, dominate the landscape. Warning! This area can be dangerous to visit alone).
For more information on Delhi Sightseeing Tour by Car, Delhi Sightseeing Packages contact Swan Tours - One of the top 10 travel agents in India .
Delhi Sightseeing Tour by Car
Although there is no one best way to explore Delhi, there are areas which can be reached by metro, there are lanes in old Delhi which can only be accessed by Rickshaw or on foot, and then there is a bus service which connects all the areas in Delhi which are yet to be connected by Metro. The most convenient way to explore Delhi is by car.
As the sightseeing spots in Delhi are spread all over, it is better to discuss the itinerary with our travel counselors and depending on your specific interests such as heritage, museums, temples, shopping, culinary experiences, theatre, art, etc., we could customize a Delhi sightseeing tour package just for you!
The city of Delhi is large in size and traffic is not very organized, to get the maximum in short duration, one needs to avoid certain areas which are high in traffic during certain hours, the local shopping areas are more structured in selling comparing to the touristic areas, Delhi city tour should be divided into morning and evening durations e.g. temples should be visited during evening Aarti hours and similarly shopping areas in morning to avoid crowds. Monuments such as Qutub Minar, Red Fort, etc are quite far from each other and it is important to follow the schedule of Delhi sightseeing tour itinerary to the maximum.
Swan Tours would suggest to start the Delhi City tour early morning and to use smaller cars for commuting, as there are areas where the roads are ver. narrow and parking is an issue all over the city.
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