Historic Delhi - An Anthology

Historic Delhi - An Anthology

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Author: H K Kaul
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 1999
Language: English
Pages: 449
ISBN/UPC (if available): 978-0-19-563925-4

Description

Few major cities of the world are as rich in historical associations as Delhi. This anthology contains vivid accounts of Delhi from ancient times to the early twentieth century, picked from hundreds of books and documents, some of them long out of print.

'The tabernacle of the eastern parts of the universe', said Al Minhaj Bin Siraj of Delhi in thirteenth century. Few major cities of the world are as rich in historical associations as Delhi, and even fewer possess such a wealth of archaeological and architect5ural splendors. This anthology contains vivid accounts of Delhi from ancient times to the early twentieth century, picked from hundreds of books and documents, some of them long out of print.

They range from the Timur's accounts of his attack on Delhi to Aurangzeb's rules about the acceptable length of beards, and anecdotes about city saunas, entertainments and festivities. These authentic, contemporary accounts recreating a vanished city comprise an incomparable introduction that tourists find will give their travels in Delhi a unique flavor; those who live here will get the opportunity to rediscover their home town.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

If you want to learn something about Delhi's past, you will find it worth your while to dip into Historic Delhi. - Khushwant Singh, The Hindustan Times

This splendid book has conversations, pen-portraits and landscapes in abundant measure. - Narayani Gupta, The India Magazine

THE EDITOR:

H K KAUL is Director, Delhi Library Network, and Chief Librarian, India International Center, New Delhi. He is the author of several volumes of poetry, and has edited Travelers' India: An Anthology.

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Select Chronology

CHAPTER 1

Altutmish's Dihli

The medieval City

Delhi in the seventeenth century

Delhi as it was

The Rome of Asia

The mistress of every conqueror

The city of scents

The metropolis of Asia

The spirit of Delhi

Delhi's changing face

The streets

CHAPTER 2
RUINS AND LANDSCAPES

Ruins and tombs

A city of variety

From the summit of the Qutab

Hills and the river bed

The tombs

The Ridge

A desolate plain

The successive Delhi's

CHAPTER 3
THE CITIES

A. Introduction

B. Indraprastha

C. Dilli

D. Old Delhi or Qila Rai Pithora

E. Kilughari

F. Siri

G. Tughlaqabad

H. Jahanpanah

I. Firozabad

J. Din Pannah or Purana Qila

K. Sher Garh or Delhi Sher shahi

L. Shahjahanabad

M. New Delhi

CHAPTER 4
SOCIAL LIFE

A. General

B. Entertainment

C. Marriages

D. Baths

CHAPTER 5
ROYALTY

The presentation ceremony

Hospitality

The royal procession

Firoz Shah's public audience

Court ceremonial

The Place of audience

A visit to the emperor

Shah Allum and his Tusbeah Khanah

A royal ceremony

A visit to a princess

The imperial family

Zinat Mahal Begam

The Viceroy's ball

CHAPTER 6
SCHOLARS AND EDUCATION

Nasiriah College

The pious men

The Sultan's generosity

Eulogies in Praise of the Sultan

Humayun's appreciation of poetry

poets and philosophers

The learned men of Balban's Delhi

Growing importance of English in Delhi

College of Ghazeeood Deen

Madrasa of Ghazi-uddin Khan

Ghalib and Delhi College

Amir Khusrau

In memory of a poet

Allnutt of Delhi

CHAPTER 7
POPULATION AND POVERTY

A. Population

B. Slavery

C. Famine

CHAPTER 8
TAXES AND TRADE
A. Regulations and Taxes

B. Commerce

C. Bazaars

CHAPTER 9
FOOD AND DRINK

Sweetmeats

Allau-d din Khilji and prohibition

Aurangzeb and prohibition

Food products

Wine

The Zamindar's diet

The Public kitchen

CHAPTER 10
CUSTOMS AND FESTIVALS

The order of public audience

The feast day

Ceremonials at private and public meals

A burial custom

Royal celebration

Court festivals

Aurangzeb's birthday celebration

Pankha mela

Wickerworks and firework

Festivity

The festival of Divali

A magnificent display of fireworks

CHAPTER 11
CLIMATE AND IRRIGATION

A. Climate

B. Irrigation

CHAPTER 12
FLORA AND FAUNA

A. Flora

B. Gardens

C. Fauna

CHAPTER 13
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT

Dak - Chaukis between Delhi and Deogiri

Departure from Delhi

The Jumna bridge

Tongas, bullrock-carts and what not!

The infernal traffic jam

No rules of the road

The railway links

CHAPTER 14
WILD LIFE AND SPORT

The Sultan's hunting expedition

Hyaena-hunt in a bedroom

Shooting at Mongolpur

Shikar in Delhi

Buldius Venator

Well - diving

CHAPTER 15
ASTROLOGY, ASTRONOMY AND MAGIC

Manucci under a spell

Astrologers

Jantar Mantar

The observatory

Conjurors

CHAPTER 16
THE ARTS

A. Music and Art

B. The Painters

CHAPTER 17
ARCHITECTURE AND MONUMENTS

A. Architecture and the Buildings

B. Palaces and Memorials

C. Tombs and Mosques

D. Temples, Churches and Gurdwaras

CHAPTER 18
EVENTS

A. General

B. Medieval

C. Modern

PART I
Early British

PART II
Mutiny

CHAPTER III
Later British

Notes on Sources

Index