BMW iX Delhi Travel - Tales of The Sultanate

According to an ancient legend, ‘He who rules Delhi, rules India’. Although the origin of this quote remains shrouded in mystery, it eloquently captures the importance of the city – a vibrant mosaic of cultures, cuisines, religions, and lifestyles, not to mention the way it offers a seamless fusion of the allure of its rich history with the glitz and glamour of its contemporary growth. In a bid to delve into its historical significance and its importance as the country’s administrative capital, we embark on a journey in the BMW iX encompassing five locations across the city that are pivotal in unravelling its significance.

Lal Kot – 11th Century AD

If you are acquainted with the tales of the Mahabharata, the city of Indraprastha would be familiar to you. Although the location of this city is approximated around the Purana Qila area, significant geological evidence validating its existence remains elusive. Turning to recorded history, the first walled city of India was established under the Tomar dynasty by Anangpal Singh Tomar I. He named the fort Lal Kot, which was the original Red Fort of Delhi. Buddhist texts and scriptures dating back to Ashoka’s reign refer to Indraprastha as the capital of Kuru Mahajanpada. This traces Delhi’s history as the capital of an empire back to ancient times. Lal Kot was later overtaken by Prithviraj Chauhan and was renamed Qila Rai Pithora. Today, the remains of the fort walls can still be found in the Mehrauli area, with the famous Qutub Minar right across the road. While the park and the monument are open for exploration without any fee, the absence of clear markings may pose a slight challenge in locating them. Nevertheless, cocooned in the comfort of the BMW iX, it wasn’t all that of a bother. I highly recommend this site for anyone seeking an authentic, unvarnished encounter with a piece of history.

Red Fort – 17th Century AD

The year was 1639, and Shah Jahan, the reigning monarch of the Mughal Empire, recognised the significant geological advantage that a more centrally located administrative headquarters could have for his ambition to rule the entirety of India and, thereby, shifted his capital to Delhi and commissioned the construction of what we know today as Red Fort. Interestingly, the architect who built Red Fort was Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who was also responsible for the creation of the iconic Taj Mahal. The Lal Qila not only etched the significance of Delhi in history books but also laid the foundation for it to become the new capital of independent India.

The Red Fort was also the site where Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, delivered his pivotal speech and hoisted the tricolour above its gate. Today, its surrounding areas are internationally renowned for various cuisines and buildings that exude old-world charm, with the BMW iX bringing along a spark of modernity. For those new to the city, it is undeniably an experience worth having.

Coronation Park – 19th Century AD

Nestled along Burari Road, there lies a lesser-known quaint gem called Coronation Park. However, beneath its quiet charm lies a link to a significant but painful aspect of Indian history – the British Empire. The British invented the concept of Durbars, a gathering of people, inspired by Hindu and Muslim traditions. Given Delhi’s rich history of royal events, the Park was chosen to host the first Delhi Durbar in 1877 – an event organised to commemorate Queen Victoria as the Empress of India.

In 1911, the Coronation Park hosted its third Durbar to not only celebrate King George V’s ascension as the Emperor of India but also to mark the shift of the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi. To mark the occasion, a memorial was erected exactly at the same place where King George V and Queen Mary sat in the Durbar in 1911. The Park is also home to statues of various former British monarchs.

Free to visit, the Park has been well maintained and is a quiet place to relax and reflect on the history of the country. So, visiting a monument like this in the BMW iX made a lot of sense as its quietness only added to the serenity of the place.

Khan Market – 20th Century

Following the dramatic economic reforms of the 1990s, a lot of commercial hubs emerged, and Khan Market was one such place, which continues to be a prominent commercial centre of the city. After Independence, Delhi continued to thrive as India’s capital, witnessing substantial growth. Khan Market, evolving into a commercial hub in the 90s, seamlessly blends the past and the present, symbolising the dynamic essence of a burgeoning India.

Established in 1951, the Khan Market complex originally comprised double-story buildings, with shops on the ground floor and residential quarters above. Originally established to offer economic opportunities to refugees of the partition, it has since transformed into one of the city’s premier shopping destinations. The Indian Habitat Centre is also nearby, which is another must-visit destination for those interested in art and culture. And if there is one car that feels at home outside these establishments, we can’t think of anything better than what we were driving - the BMW iX.

Cyber Hub – Present Day

Finally, we come to one of the most popular neighbouring districts of Delhi – Gurugram. A popular destination for Delhi’s youth, Gurugram is favoured as an ideal locale by new-age entrepreneurs and multinational companies. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that it’s a model town for contemporary India. Our final destination in this city is Cyber Hub – a sprawling shopping and food complex, which exudes international standards. Surrounded by modern residences and offices, Cyber Hub serves as a fitting conclusion to our journey, for not only does it bring our story to the present but also encapsulates the essence of future possibilities and promises.

However, if you believe Gurugram appeared fairly recently on the Indian map, here’s an interesting fact: Gurugram is said to be the village of Guru Dronacharya, the esteemed teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas. The city also finds mentions in scripts dating back to the reign of Akbar.

So, you see, Delhi and its neighbouring districts have always had a significant place in the history of India. Despite evolving into a bustling metropolis, Delhi continues to maintain its historical roots. No wonder then that it offers a unique blend of various sites, cuisines, cultures, languages, and lifestyles – all owing to its rich history. And, when you have something special like the BMW iX to take it all in, it feels even more special.