WHAT: Imagine walking in the footsteps of the 2nd Mughal king Humayun who made Dilli or Dinpanah as he called it the capital of his kingdom nearly 500 years back. Listen to tales of battles fought by the Mughals against the Sur Afghani Tribes as their fortunes see-sawed while you walk atop the walls from which the defending Mughal armies looked down upon the attacking armies ofSher Shah Suri. Learn about the last Hindu King who almost wrested control of Hindustan from the newly crowned and inexperienced Mughal king, Akbar. Find out why this rambling fort, with its beautiful palace monuments and intricately carved mosques and massive gateways together which today we know as the 6th city of Delhi played such an important role in the foundation of Mughal rule in India. Finally we visit the tomb of Humayun, the layout of which many consider as the inspiration for Agra’s Taj Mahal.
ATTRACTIONS: Gaze upon the beautiful and exquisitely carved 5-domed Quila-i-Kuhna mosque, immerse yourself in the green environs within the Fort or go boating in the water-filled moats around the fort or visit the small museum which has artefacts from 1000BC. Interestingly archaeological excavations inside the Purana Quilla have yielded proof like shards of Grey Painted Pottery prevalent from the times of 1400BC, giving credence to the notion that maybe the village of Indarpat which was located inside the fort, was actually the site of the legendary city of Indraprastha founded by the Pandavas as told in the epic mythological story of India, the ‘Mahabharata’. Humayun’s tomb is the finest and earliest examples of a garden tomb preserved for almost 450 yrs now and which today counts amongst the most photographed monument in Delhi!
BEST TIMES TO VISIT: Morning or Evening
DURATION & TOTAL WALKING DISTANCE: 4 Hours, 2.5 Kms with inter-venue travel
STARTING POINT: Ticket Counter of Old Fort, Mathura Road, opp. Subramaniam Bharti Marg intersection. (Google Maps reference: http://g.co/maps/
BEST WAY TO REACH: Nearest Metro Stn is Pragati Maidan station, on Blue Line (Dwarka Track) and a 2 KM Auto-rickshaw ride will bring you to the Fort. Those driving in can easily park their vehicles as there is ample parking space at the Delhi Zoo parking adjoining the Fort.
ESSENTIALS TO WEAR & CARRY:
1- Do wear a good pair of walking shoes or comfortable flip-flops.
2- Sun-shades/Rain-shades depending upon weather
INCLUSIONS:
1- Bi-Lingual exploration leaders and facilitators.
To book customised versions of this chapter of Delhi’s story, mail us at explore@delhibyfoot.in/ramit@delhibyfoot.in OR call us on 9871181775 OR send an online query here
To view other walks, click here
For more pictures click here!
