Delhi a Tale of Seven Cities (2001

PREFACE

The rule of the Chauhans was followed by the Muslim invaders, some of whom erected monuments like the T Qutub Minar, which brought fame to Delhi. But another major change came during the reign of Ala-ud-din Khilji, who expanded the boundaries of Delhi, a practice followed by the subsequent rulers. A city for every monarch, became the tradition, of which Babur was the only excep-tion. Of the Mughals, Humayun was the first to build a new city, and Shahjahan the last.

The story of the city of Delhi, which, retains its Phoenix like characteristic and phenomenal magnetism would natu-rally not end with the tale of seven cities. The sack of Timur, and Nadir Shah could also not diminish its psycho-logical prestige. The tragic end of the Mughal era, ushered in the era of the Raj, that is the British rule in India.

The story could have begun with the standard narrative of, Once upon a time, but the end would always continue to be different.

The limit for the story was set at Shahjahanabad because, firstly, it was the last of the seven cities amongst the seven