Historical Cities of Delhi: Walks Using the Delhi Metro

Delhi has been conquered, rebuilt, and renamed more times than almost any city on earth. From the Pandava capital of Indraprastha to the Red Fort of the Mughals to the grand boulevards of the British, each ruler who came to Delhi left behind a city of their own — layer upon layer, dynasty upon dynasty, stone upon stone. Today, those layers survive as at least seven or eight distinct historical cities, buried within the sprawling modern metropolis.

This book is your guide to finding them.

Historical Cities of Delhi: Walks Using the Delhi Metro takes you through each of Delhi's historical cities — Qila Rai Pithora, Mehrauli, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlaqabad, Ferozabad, Sher Garh, Shahjahanabad, and New Delhi — using India's best-developed metro system as your transport backbone. Written by two authors who live in Delhi and have spent years walking these sites themselves, this is a practical, on-the-ground guide for anyone who wants to experience Delhi's history not from a distance, but up close, on foot, in the lanes and ruins where it actually happened.

The book does not try to cover all of Delhi's attractions. Instead it stays focused — on the historical cities, their boundaries, their surviving monuments, and how to reach them. Each chapter covers one historical city: its history, its key sites, how to get there by metro, and a suggested walk. Whether you are a first-time visitor, a long-time resident who has never explored these places properly, or simply someone who loves history and walking, this book will open up a Delhi you may never have known existed.

What you will find inside:

• The history of each of Delhi's seven or eight historical cities, from the 11th century Rajput fort of Qila Rai Pithora to the British-built capital of New Delhi
• Practical metro directions to each historical city, with walking routes from the nearest station
• Coverage of major sites including Qutub Minar, Tughlaqabad Fort, Hauz Khas, Purana Qila, Humayun's Tomb, the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, and Kartavya Path
• Resources and tips for planning your visit, including maps, apps, and transport options
• Written by authors who live in Delhi and know these places personally

Delhi has been called the Graveyard of Dynasties. This book helps you walk through what they left behind.