Each Walls With Its Own Story

by Diptangshu Duttagupta (India)

A leap into the unknown India

So that's how it started, it was a wintery night of 8th of January, 2020 when I left for New Delhi, India's capital from Kolkata for my first ever solo trip which I was pretty much excited about. Delhi welcomed me with chilly winds which I wasn't hoping for. After settling down in my hotel, that very day I left for the city tour where my tour itenerary included the main three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Red Fort, Qutb Complex and Humayun's Tomb. Starting my day off with a cup of Delhi's special chai (Tea) was a refreshing drink for me. The Humayun's Tomb where I first went is a tomb dedicated to the 2nd Mughal Emperor Nasiruddin Humayun of Mughal Emperor (15th-17th Centuries) is a marvellous exemplary of Persian Architecture in India the concept brought by the Mughals from Persia. Following after it was the Red Fort which was built by 5th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan after he shifted his capital from Agra (the earlier capital of the Mughals). Amidst the bustling bazaar of Chandni Chowk, I found a marvellous and undoubtedly a famous mosque known as Jami Masjid built by the same emperor & it's the largest mosque in India. The Chandni Chowk boasts itself for selling a wide variety of Mughlai Delicacies and Minakari Jewellery worn by the Mughals which aren't found anywhere else in India. Qutb Complex is a place of group of monuments but is mainly famous for its Qutb Minar, the largest minaret in India. The Qutb Complex is a historical landmark for the Sultans of Delhi (12th-15th centuries) who once ruled prior to the Mughals and also explain how Islam entered in India. The Qutb Minar (73m in height) built in red sandstone like other monuments in Delhi was built by the first Sultan of Delhi, Qutubiddin Aibak and was completed by his next successor Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish. Next I just sneaked into Feroz Shah Kotla also known as Ferozabad was the city of Feroz Shah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi in 13th Century. Although it was getting darker, I dared to go there because locals advised there that the fort is haunted as its a dwelling place for the djinns (spirits), but I rather found it as a fascinating place for me! The next day paid pilgrimage to the famous dargahs and mosques of renowned Sufi Saints of Bhaktiyar Kaki and Nizamuddin Auliya which was a mesmerising spiritual experience and tried out some awesome Indian delicacies which I got obsessed about it. The following day I left for Agra to see the world famous Taj Mahal, which is both one of the 7 Wonders Of The World & a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As i crossed the west gate and entered inside I was struck with awe inspiring not sure what to say! The Taj Mahal fully made of white marble and decorated with the finest of Arabic Calligraphy and inlay work & shining under the bright sunlight made me speechless!! The monument dedicated to Mumtaz Mahal by Shah Jahan when she died is a permanent symbolism of love between the Emperor and his wife. Following it I also visited the other two UNESCO sites, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri and Akbar's Tomb all built by Akbar the Great the 3rd Mughal Emperor are all awesome places of excellent photography. What was new for me is the Tuk Tuk ride in Agra which was both fun and troublesome too. The city of Agra, once the capital of the Mughals truly reflects it's heritage if one visits the bazaars where intricate marble carved and painted artefacts are made and sold, notably plates and jewellery boxes. As I was sitting alone the walls of Agra Fort during sunset I wondered how the cityscape looked like when it was under imperial rule. As I wondered my pen ran down the pages of my dairy concluding with a trip with lovely memories taking me back to the sands of time.