Sunday 24 December 2006

Shahjahanabad - the old city


I have read a few times that Delhi is not a great destination. Well nothing can be further from the truth. I admit that Dalrymple's Last Mughal has brought Shahjahanabad alive for me but the place is captivating. This view from high up within Jama Masjid gives you some ideal of how the Uprising was played out in 1857 and particularly the re-taking and destruction of the Red Fort. Can only imagine the blood and stench. (the Red Fort is just out of picture to the middle right and the infamous Ridge (home of the British Field Force in 1857 and their siege position) in the distance.
The street fighting in the narrow streets and lanes must have been horrific:
"From every window and door, from loopholes in the buildings, and from the tops of the houses, a storm of musketry salute us on every side...Officers and men fell fast."

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