Delhi is one of the high-power ancient regions, which has regained and improved cultural beauty throughout history with different empires controlling it. Delhi has a chaotic asymmetric beauty. One side of Delhi is still with the ancient style architecture, old winding lanes, age-old markets, and traditional communities. This Old Delhi is still holding its traditional values whereas New Delhi is getting flourished with modernization. This diversity in culture makes Delhi, a most prominent tourist attraction.
Delhi is a vibrant mosaic of cultures, evident in its diverse culinary scene, ranging from exquisite Mughlai delicacies like kebabs and biryanis to beloved street foods such as gol gappas and chaat. The city comes alive during festivals like Diwali and Holi, celebrated with unparalleled fervor. Markets like Chandni Chowk and Dilli Haat offer a glimpse into India’s rich heritage through textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts.
Legacy Of Delhi Sultanate
Mughal Emperor Akbar
Delhi’s history spans millennia, beginning with its mythical roots as Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. The city later flourished under the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526), marked by iconic structures such as the Qutub Minar and the formidable Red Fort. The Mughal Empire (1526-1857) further shaped Delhi’s identity, with Shah Jahan’s construction of Shahjahanabad, now known as Old Delhi, featuring the majestic Jama Masjid among its treasures.
The Delhi Sultanate, etched a dynamic legacy across India’s historical canvas. Its military prowess safeguarded the subcontinent from Mongol invasions, ensuring stability and laying the groundwork for strategic defense tactics that influenced future conflicts.
Religious pluralism flourished under the Sultanate’s rule, where Islam served as the official faith but tolerance was extended to diverse beliefs, fostering a cultural milieu enriched by Sufi mysticism and interfaith dialogue.
Architecturally, the Sultanate melded Persian, Islamic, and Indian influences to create iconic structures like the Qutub Minar and Red Fort, symbolizing a fusion of artistic styles that defined Indo-Islamic architecture. And The Delhi Sultanate era saw a flourishing of literature in Persian and Hindavi (early Hindi), with poets such as Amir Khusro leaving a lasting cultural impact.
Socially, the Sultanate introduced administrative reforms and governance structures that streamlined administration and promoted cultural exchange. The development of Urdu language and culinary practices further unified the diverse populace under a shared cultural identity.
The Delhi Sultanate’s legacy endures as a testament to its military acumen, religious tolerance, architectural innovation, and societal advancements, shaping the trajectory of Indian civilization and leaving an indelible imprint on its cultural and historical heritage.
Arts And Crafts:
Although architecture is not generally a part of the arts and crafts genre, it is important to take notes from the architectural diversity in the land. You can find Indo-Persian artworks in many ancient structures like Jama Masjid and others. Chhatarpur temples, Birla temple, and others have a fusion of Southern temple architecture and ancient North India architecture. These amalgamations show that the art and crafts of Delhi has influence from every region of India and also from the invaders of neighboring countries.
Delhi has a civilization that dates back to earlier 50 BC. Thus, the history of the land has given rise to many interesting arts and crafts including the ones adapted from neighboring cultures. The most iconic artwork of Delhi is making jewelry. Meenakari and Kundan Jewelries are still considered as an important souvenir and an heirloom in many families.
These methods of crafting were introduced from Lahore. Since ancient times, Delhi was an important place for ivory carving, kite making, and others. After the ban of procuring and/or sales of ivory, the artisans started to use bones of buffaloes to create artifacts.
Mughals were a fan of art and painting. Many art forms of Delhi originated during the rule of Mughals. Textile embroidery is another famous artwork of the land. Top types of Delhi paintings are paper painting, miniature painting, manuscripts, marble paintings, and others. During the Mughal era, many authentic schools were erected to teach these skills.Some of these schools are still functioning. Tourists can also enroll in some of these schools for short term courses or workshops. Best of all the ancient styled paintings is the Mughal miniature style painting, which is famous among tourists as souvenirs.
Artworks on potteries and enameling works are the traditional craft of the land. The gold thread embroidery is another artwork from neighboring countries. It is called zari work. You can find such handicrafts in the markets of the land. In the past, rulers used to invite Persian artisans to their kingdom for weaving carpets for palaces and for crafting metal works. Today such artworks have become a part of Delhi culture and you can find souvenirs in many galleries and markets.
Delhi is a sanctuary for all faiths, boasting landmarks like the Akshardham and ISKCON temples for Hindus, the historic Jama Masjid and Sufi shrines like Nizamuddin Dargah for Muslims, the serene Gurudwara Bangla Sahib for Sikhs, and the contemplative Lotus Temple for Bahai followers.
