We flew into Delhi from Singapore last evening. We sailed through customs with the assistance of our tour company, then met our tour guide and driver, who drove us to our hotel, The Imperial India. The hotel was built in the early 1930’s and inaugurated by Lord Willingdon in 1936. It has remained under ownership of the same family since it opened. The Imperial “is a confluence of a rich historical past with international appeal.” It has over 5000 pieces of rare and unique art. I took a walk around the gardens early this before breakfast.
Our tour guide met us at 8, to begin our tour of historic sites in Delhi. Our first stop was at the Qutb Minar Monuments. Qutb Minar is the tallest stone tower in India, built between 1192-1210, attached to Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. The tower was struck by lightning twice and was repaired and an additional story added in 1351. The Mosque was built between 1193-1197, using carved columns and other architectural pieces of 37 Hindu and Jain temples. Much of the Mosque has crumbled, but the site is impressive.
We drove north to Old Delhi, passing on of the India gates, then we parked in front of the Red Fort and took a tuk tuk down Changi Chowk Road to the traditional market.
We visited Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife and built in the 1560’s. It was the first garden-tomb built in India. The 27 acre site includes several other tombs, with Humayun’s Tomb housing cells of over 150 Mughal family members. Humayun was the second Mughal emperor, who ruled over territory in what is now eastern Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Northern India, and Pakistan from 1530-1540, and again from 1555 to his death in 1556. It is a beautiful place.
We returned to our hotel by 2, for lunch at Imperial Hotel’s Spice Route, known for its Asian cuisine and its interior decor of ancient temple pillars and murals. Lunch was delicious! Afterwards, we took a tour of the hotel’s art collection.
