Visitors to Delhi are usually delighted to be driven around the area of the city known as New Delhi or Lutyens’ Delhi. It’s a vast area of broad, leafy streets and gracious buildings designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens to be the capital of the British Raj, the seat of power for their “Jewel in the Crown.”
The centre point is India Gate, which is bisected by Raj Path—formerly King’s Way—and makes for a very impressive imperial vista. However, the empty cupola that lines up a few meters behind India Gate presents a head-scratching mystery to the uninitiated. The answer lies in an ancient prophecy: “Whosoever builds a new city in Delhi will lose it.” Delhi has been the capital city of at least seven or eight great epochs, and probably several more lesser ones. But every conqueror gets conquered and loses the city, some believe due to the prophecy. The British are only the most recent. They declared Delhi the capital of British India in 1911, built a glorious planned city, and lost it in 1947—a mere 36 years of rule from Delhi. After India declared independence on August 15, 1947, the Indian people pulled down the statue of King George V that had stood in the canopy behind India Gate, and left it empty as mute testimony to their struggle and their victory. The empty canopy is just one of countless monuments, forts, tombs, and other ruins, scattered throughout the city, that tell the story of Delhi’s many epochs, and point to the truth in the ancient prophecy. The Mughal dynasty ruled India before the British occupation superseded them in the mid-19th century. Red Fort was once the opulent home and seat of power of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, better known as the builder of the Taj Mahal. He moved the capital to Delhi from Agra and began construction on the Red Fort, a massive citadel that took 10 years to complete, in 1639. The area around Red Fort, called Shajahanabad, was also developed to include Chandni Chowk, which means “moonlight square.” It was designed by the emperor’s favourite daughter Princess Jahanara Begum, to include a series of canals that reflected moonlight. Today, Red Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the former glorious capital is called Old Delhi—an area of the city notorious for overcrowded markets, chaotic narrow lanes, dilapidated buildings, and masses of tangled electrical wires that defy believability. Old Delhi is but another example of a lost empire, though the Mughals did hold it for about 200 years until it fell into British hands after the 1857 uprising. The history of Delhi goes all the way back to the Mahabharata, the great epic of ancient India. The Pandavas cleared an area to establish their kingdom Indraprastha on the banks of the Yamuna river, where Delhi now stands. Much more recently, between 1100 and 1947, there have been eight capital cities in Delhi—though historians often refer to the “Seven Cities of Delhi.” They are: The oldest city, near the site of the Qutab Minar; Siri; Tughlqabad; Jahanpanah; Firozobad; the city around Purana Qila; Shahjahanabad; and New Delhi. All of these civilizations have left behind remnants, and three of them are UNESCO World Heritage sites: Qutab Minar, Red Fort, and Humayun’s Tomb. You can visit the Qutab Minar complex, and see the crumbling walls of Siri Fort. Purana Qila is still standing and of course Red Fort and Old Delhi are top tourist attractions. Each one is a living reminder of the...
Read moreThe Subhas Chandra Bose Canopy, located in front of India Gate in New Delhi, is a historic and significant monument that pays tribute to one of India's most revered freedom fighters. Visiting this canopy is like taking a journey through time to the era of India's struggle for independence.
The canopy itself is an architectural marvel, designed with intricate detailing and a distinctive blend of Indian and European architectural styles. It stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in the fight against British colonial rule.
The location of the canopy, in close proximity to India Gate, creates a powerful symbolism of unity and sacrifice. It serves as a reminder that the struggle for freedom was led by numerous brave souls, and Subhas Chandra Bose was a luminary among them.
The serene and well-maintained surroundings of the canopy make it an ideal place for contemplation and reflection. As you stand beneath the canopy and gaze at the statue of Netaji, you can't help but feel a sense of reverence and inspiration. The statue captures his determined and resolute demeanor, which fueled his relentless pursuit of independence for India.
Visiting the Subhas Chandra Bose Canopy is not just a historical excursion; it's a chance to connect with the ideals and principles that drove India's quest for freedom. It's a place where one can pay homage to the visionaries who shaped the destiny of the nation.
In conclusion, the Subhas Chandra Bose Canopy in front of India Gate is a fitting tribute to a charismatic leader who left an indelible mark on India's history. It stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the unwavering determination that ultimately led to India's independence. A visit to this monument is a journey into the heart of India's freedom struggle and a source of inspiration for...
Read moreIf you are coming here from Central Secretariat metro station route then this statue will not be visible to you directly, it's behind the India Gate. So first of all you need to come to India Gate first and then go behind it, although it starts getting visible the closer you get to India Gate. Competitively it's height is negligible in comparison to India Gate, it should have been more vivid and big at least half of India Gate, though they have given too much space around this statue but I feel it's not that great. It's beautiful though, again at night the lights too are okay but not up to my standard. It doesn't seem special, there was too much darkness from behind, only the lights had focus on the statue but the garden which seems beautiful is not visible. I mean all the attention gets diverted towards the India Gate eventually. The fountain looks more beautiful in my opinion. It was eight pm, closing time, may be due to that they may have dimmed the lights I guess. In my opinion one should visit this place first before dawn and then India Gate. Also they don't allow you to be inside the garden around the statue, that looks unfair to me. One has to watch it from outside that garden area which is around hundred feet or more in my opinion. Anyhow one should visit both before six pm. Early morning after ten am and before evening are best times in winter's. Hot weather is not a nice time to visit this place. Or one needs to be in great health, because one has to walk lot here and get tired. Nothing is handy here, if you have your drinking water with you then it's great else even getting drinking water is comber some. I mean one has to walk a lot for it. Some pictures and videos for viewers to...
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