How could I miss the exotic monuments of Delhi?? Usually due to my busy schedule I don't get time to explore cities I visit, but this time I was quite lucky and didn't missed the oppurtunity . Since I was new to the place, I took a packaged tour that covered almost all the monuments in Delhi.

The first one I explored was the Red fort or the Lal Qila as it is called in India. The guide told us that the Red Fort, extend for two km and vary in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side. He informed us that it was Shah Jahan who started the construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. But before he could move his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad in Delhi,he was deposed and imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb. I was overwhelmed by the Lahore gate,the main gate to the fort, getting its name from the fact that it faces Lahore.

Another significant fort in our tour was Purana Qila. The fort was The Afghan ruler,completed during Sher Shah reign from 1538-45, before Humayun regained control of India. The fort, located south-east of the India Gate and north of Humayun's Tomb and the Nizamuddin railway station, has massive walls and three large gateways.

Another place where I delve into was the Humayun tomb is an early example of Mughal architecture. The guide told us that it was Humayun's senior wife Haji Begum who built the tomb in the mid-16th century. Intrestingly, the Entry is free on Friday. On other days, there is a small entry fee. Humayun Tomb offers excellent view of the surrounding country from the terraces.

I was completely bowled over by Qutub Minar that lies 15km south of Delhi, date from the onset of Muslim rule in India. The Qutab Minar itself is a soaring tower of victory which was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu king in Delhi. It is nearly 73 meters high and tapers from a 15-meter-diameter base to just 2.5 metres at the top. l03 hr wise has worn the centuries remarkably well.

One day me and my friend, Jai visited the famous India Gate. It is an impressive example of colonial architecture. A popular tourist attraction, the gate is also a gathering place for Delhi residents, who love to stroll the area at night, eating ice cream and buying strands of flowers. I also captured photo's of Rashtrapati Bhawan, Jantar Mantar and Jama Masjid in my camera.