Delhi - The quintessential city!

Image Courtesy: Delhi!

‘garche hain mulq-e-dakhan mein in dinon qadr-e-sukhan

kaun jaaye Zauq par dilli ki galiyaan chod kar’

- Mir Zauq

These famous lines by Mir Zauq, a contemporary of Mirza Ghalib defines the quintessential nature of the city we call Delhi. Roughly translated to English, in these lines Mir Zauq is saying that although the seat of power and all the worldly comforts have shifted to the Deccan region of India but still, who can even think of leaving the by-lanes of Delhi? A true dilliwala can understand what it means.

Delhi is the capital of India. Like every capital city should be – it has been painted in the colors of modernity and is a suitable representation of the growth that India has witnessed. However, unlike many cities, or cities which even weren’t cities then, Delhi has been painted in colors representing grandeur and layers and layers of them, one over the other. Delhi itself represents history. It has assimilated everyone. Mughals, Khiljis, and Britons – it has retained them all in its bellies.

Delhi has loved everyone. It did not matter that they came and plundered it naked. Afghans came and washed its streets in blood. Tired, they settled here and Mughal Dynasty took shape. British came to trade but their interests changed from spices to settling here. They even moved their capital from Calcutta to Delhi. Remnants of each of these cultures lay intertwined all over the city – lending it that same air and feel. Be it the astronomical marvel called Jantar Mantar built by Maharaja Jai Singh right next to the Connaught Place, bustling business center built by the British or the hi-tech temple of Akshar Dham built next to Yamuna; the confluence of modern and erstwhile is simply breathtaking. Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, Old Fort, Lodhi Gardens…one could just go on and on with the spectacles of history. But hold on, this is not where it ends. Different cultures brought epicurean pleasures galore. Delhi is a haven for the gourmet. One can enjoy spicy street food in the clogged lanes of Chandni Chowk along with the succulent kebabs at the swish Khan Market in South Delhi. You may wish to enjoy the dripping-in-ghee paranthas at the aptly named Paranthewali Gali. Or the cool and cheap lemonades made by roadside thelas in sweltering heat. Like the confluence of cultures, Delhi enjoys the confluence of cuisines too. A walk of barely hundred meters would take you from the streets serving succulent chicken with evening azaan from the Jama Masjid in the backdrop to the lanes of mouth watering Punjabi dhabas near Gurudwara Sheesh GanjSahib.

History, modernity, cultures, and communities – all make an eclectic mix. It is not the monuments that make Delhi what it is – but this smooth confluence while retaining their individual identity. So, what is Delhi? Mirza Ghalib asked the same question to his soul many years ago. His soul replied – The world is body and Delhi its life. The answer remains the same even now.