India - Delhi - A Heritage City

"...Architectural vocabulary developed encompassing elements from Indian, Islamic architecture, art and craft. Use of kaiash.or lotus motifs in Islam buildings or Incorporating chattris and chajJas in 20th century colonial buildings are examples of sensitive amalgamation of different styles. Such form of architectural amalgamation further influenced the architectural style of Lucknow and became a base for building design by the Nawabs. Gardens incorporated as elements of design and place for leisure was brought to Delhi by the Mughals from the rulers of Central Asia.

Dehli being a capital city became a centre where the performing arts, craft, language, traditional beliefs and practices continuously evolved. Urdu language, ciawwail and Sufism are a few of the intangible forms which developed. Urdu was later used extensively by other parts of India. Sufism was practiced in several countries across Central Asia like Samarkand but it developed in its own independent lines in Delhi by incorporating Hindu traditions like annihilation, music and dance which further influenced other parts within the regional context. Thus Delhi is comparable to several cities mentioned above but its uniqueness lies in its tangible and Intangible elements intertwined together which defines the Outstanding Value of Delhi."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List


Magnificent India Gate of New Delhi, India.It is designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, commemorating 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I as well British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. Thanks to Terence of India.

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