Ancient and Medieval History

1. Mythological Connection – Delhi is believed to be the site of Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata, which is said to have existed around 3000 BCE.
2. Early Settlements – Archaeological evidence suggests that settlements in the region date back to the 6th century BCE.
3. Tomar Dynasty (8th–12th Century CE) – The Tomars, a Rajput dynasty, were the earliest known rulers of Delhi. They established the first city of Delhi, known as Lal Kot.
4. Chauhan Rule (12th Century CE) – Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Rajput king to rule Delhi, expanded and fortified the city, renaming it Qila Rai Pithora.
5. Muslim Invasion (1192 CE) – The defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan by Muhammad Ghori led to the foundation of Muslim rule in Delhi. His general, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, became the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)

1. Slave Dynasty (1206–1290) – Qutb-ud-din Aibak established the Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty, and his successor, Iltutmish, consolidated power.
2. Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320) – Alauddin Khilji expanded the empire and built the Siri Fort.
3. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414) – Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Firoz Shah Tughlaq made significant contributions, including the creation of Tughlaqabad.
4. Sayyid and Lodi Dynasties (1414–1526) – The last rulers of the Delhi Sultanate before the arrival of the Mughals.

Mughal Era (1526–1857)

1. Babur and the First Battle of Panipat (1526) – Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and established the Mughal Empire.
2. Akbar’s Expansion (1556–1605) – Akbar made Agra the capital, but Delhi remained important.
3. Shah Jahan’s Contribution (1638) – Shah Jahan built Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) and the Red Fort, making Delhi the Mughal capital.
4. Aurangzeb and Decline (1658–1707) – Aurangzeb ruled from Delhi, but after his death, the empire weakened.
5. Invasions by Nadir Shah (1739) and Ahmad Shah Abdali (1761) – These invasions caused major destruction.

Colonial and Modern History

1. British Takeover (1803) – The British took control of Delhi after the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
2. Revolt of 1857 – Delhi was a major center of the Indian Rebellion, but the British crushed the uprising and ended Mughal rule.
3. Capital Shift (1911) – The British moved the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi.
4. New Delhi’s Construction (1931) – Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, New Delhi was inaugurated as the official capital of British India.
5. India’s Independence (1947) – Delhi became the capital of independent India.
6. Partition of India (1947) – Massive migration and communal violence shaped the city’s demographics.

Post-Independence and Modern Delhi

1. First Republic Day (1950) – Delhi hosted India’s first Republic Day parade.
2. Growth and Urbanization (1950s–Present) – Delhi transformed into a major political, economic, and cultural hub.
3. Formation of the National Capital Territory (1991) – Delhi was officially given the status of a Union Territory with its own legislative assembly.
4. Commonwealth Games (2010) – Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games, modernizing its infrastructure.

Delhi is a city of contrasts, where ancient history coexists with modern development. From the towering Qutub Minar to the grand India Gate, and from the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk to the high-rise corporate offices of Gurgaon, Delhi embodies India’s past, present, and future. It remains the heart of India, politically and culturally, with an unbreakable connection to its glorious history.