Delhi has been the heart of Hindustan since ages. So many dynasties chose Delhi to be their capital, it was an important city even during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar. The Mughals ultimately shifted their capital to Delhi from Agra and a new city came into existence, from Jats, Rajputs to Turks, Pathans, Uzbeks, Irani Delhi saw a myriad of rulers. The Pathans, Afghani, Mughals, etc all brought their respective culture to this city of diverse cultures. In start of 20th century it again became capital of the British Indian Raj. The Delhi Durbar was held in the city. The British brought along their culture to this area, shopping arenas, clubs, libraries, universities, Grand mansions of the ruling lot, a grand residential mansion of the viceroy of India came in to existence. Super luxury five star hotels also came in to existence. As the reins of power changed hands in 1947 Delhi again saw turmoil in its cultural realms as it was flooded by hordes of refugees from Pakistan part of united Indian.
These people who were uprooted during partition initially stayed in camps later they choose Delhi as their home town thus changing the culture of Delhi forever. The population of Delhi is ever burgeoning as this area has high availability of occupation to migrating labour, The migrants from impoverished areas of Bihar and UP are even today migrating to Delhi in large numbers. The language of east UP and Bihar can be easily seen spoken by these new migrants in this city of dreams. As Delhi became capital of the Indian nation various offices of far off states became operational in the capital city thus bringing people from these states to Delhi, people of south Indian states can be seen in Majority in area of Rama Krishna Puram even south Indian style temples can be seen in this area. Durga puja an ethnic festival of Bengal can be seen celebrated by people of Chittranjan park locality of Delhi.
Thus it is very rightly said that Delhi is a sort of miniature India, as a tourist you can experience various culture and traditions of India right in Delhi itself. The lanes of Karol Bagh and adjoining areas bear the names of places in Pakistan Punjab and Multan. There is a Tibetan colony in North west Delhi near Majnu ka Tila, these are those Tibetan’s who came to India after the 1960’s invasion of Tibet by the Chinese, these erstwhile Tibetan now are very much Delhites but they also retain their legacy you can enjoy Tibetan delicacies at this colony.
The common language of Delhi is neither Puritanical Hindi nor Urdu it’s a strange mix of all these local languages. Haryanvi or Deswali a language spoken by the people of Haryana. Brij a language spoken by people around Mathura, Punjabi spoken by people who came in large numbers from the west Punjab or Pakistan. The Urdu and Farsi(Persian) which were spoken during the Mughal era, Farsi being the court language and commoners spoke Urdu Jabaan. Today the Uber class of Delhi speaks fluent English even the common office language is English.Urdu the language blossomed in Delhi it was here in Delhi the famous poet of Urdu- Mirza Ghalib lived his life, it was here he presided over the mushairas, he has written in detail about the then political and social conditions of Delhi. The narrow lanes of old Delhi still seem telling tales of the bygone past. English was introduced as a new language to this part of India by the English, the schools and colleges were set up for the Kids. It was in these universities and colleges that India’s new generation of leaders and intelligent got educated and learnt English the global language.
The first impression of Delhi’s religion’s can be seen in the old Qila Rai Pithora, from the ruins of Jain temples and Hindu temples the Quwait ul Mosque of Qutub Minar was erected. The new religion Islam was stretching its wings and the neo kings of Delhi who followed Islam were showing their might and the power of new religion.
The majority of common people remained Hindu, a new concept of Sufism came to Delhi and the Sufis were very well respected by the elite and the common people. Hajrat Nizamuddin Auliya-the sufi master resided at a place in south Delhi, he was very well respected by the rulers and the common people, even now the dargah of Sufis are the harbingers of communal harmony in this part of India. Entire Delhi either had archeological remains of mausoleum or mosques which were built during the 800 odd years of Islamic rule. When new Delhi the city was planned and executed its said some 5000 old edifice were razed down.
Delhi saw martyrdom of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur and later Sikh Gurudwara’s were built on the place of martyrdom and other historical sites after an agreement between Mughal rulers and Sikh General Baba Baghel singh. Christian religion also started making its presence felt there is an old Baptist church in Chandni Chowk area which was established in year 1814 later during the English era grand churches were established in Delhi. There are many like St. James church, St Stephen’s church constructed during the nineteenth century. Many more grand churches were made during the last century. Today’s Delhi is a modern secular city where majority still remains Hindu but people believing in other religions exercise their choice, even minute religions like Bahai have large worship places in Delhi.
The city of Delhi has a very interesting food history today this modern capital city of India has world famous restaurants and food chains. Chinese food, Thai food, Italian cuisines, well Delhi has restaurants to satiate taste buds of all kinds. Delhi has a very rich culture of street food, Delhi street food is known for its Quality and low prices while in last two decades many new street food delicacies have evolved. Momos for instance were only sold in the Tibetan colony two decades back now they are sold everywhere and are an inexpensive street food, the veg momos, non-veg momos, Paneer momos, soya momos there are umpteen varieties of momos on sale, south Indian dosas, choley Bhaturey, chowmein, Amritsari naan, Tandoori chicken, Shwarma, there is a long list of sumptuous delicacies sold on the streets of Delhi. Delhi also has a long list of Uber eating places where rich and famous dine, famous chefs work at these restaurants. The tourist coming to Delhi have a wide choice when it comes to food platter in Delhi and sure they will love the taste and aroma Delhi has to offer.
Delhi’s art reflects through its grand monuments, the art of the craftsman reflects across the fine sculpted stones of Qutub Minar, the fine work in stone is the best man can see on this planet. The city of Delhi being capital of Great Mughals attracted very fine craftsmen from other parts of India, the weavers, the goldsmith from Bengal who excelled in the art of Meenakari, (enameling) and Kundan created masterpieces for the royals, these masterpieces can be seen in the museum’s of India even in the British museums you can admire their craft, the skilled craftsmen then worked on various surfaces, including ivory but today ivory being banned they create images on camel thigh bones or buffaloes bones, The paintings of the Mughal darbar or the English Delhi Durbar are worth admiration. You can buy and admire the work of the artisans and craftsmen of Delhi at the Delhi Haat as they make hundreds of articles of daily utility and home décor. Their crafts is sure worth on applaud.
