Cradling civilizations since times immemorial, Delhi's history goes back to the first millennium B.C. Delhi is said to be the combination of eight cities that rose and fell in the labyrinth of time but created what modern Delhi is today. The first four cities were in the southern part of present-day Delhi, around the area where the Qutab Minar stands.

Mythology and history are too closely intertwined regarding the genesis of Delhi. The earliest mention of a settlement is found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which mentions a city called Indraprastha. An opulent and idyllic haven built by the Pandavas in 1400 B.C, the settlement was centered near present-day Purana Qila (Old Fort).

Recorded history that exists from the 11th century mentions that the last of the Hindu kingdom of Delhi was ruled by the Tomars and the Chauhans. The first city was said to be built by the Tomar king Raja Anangpal of Kanauj in the vicinity of the Qutab Minar called Lal Kot. The most famous ruler of this line of Tomars was called Prithvi Raj Chauhan who built many temples and a huge fort called Qila Rai Pithora.

With the invasion by Mohammed Ghori from Afghanistan in the 12th century, the 200-year rule of the Hindu kingdom of Delhi crumbled and paved the way for the establishment of the Slave Dynasty. One of the rulers of this dynasty, Qutub-ud-din Aibak, built the tallest brick minaret in the world - the majestic Qutab Minar. Lal Kot continued to be the capital until 1303 when Alauddin Khilji defeated the invading Rajputs at Siri and built Delhi's second city in the present-day Hauz Khas area.

The third and fourth cities of Delhi were founded during the Tughlak rule from 1320 to 1412. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, Alauddin Khilji's successor, founded Tughlakabad (1321-1325), which stood 10kms southeast of the Qutab Minar but now entirely in ruins. It is perhaps the most beautiful ruin in the country. Mohammad-bin-Tughlak built Jahanpanah (1325-1351), Delhi's fourth city, which stood a few yards away from the Qutab Minar.

The fifth Delhi, Firozabad (1351-1388), built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, included three palaces and a citadel, today known as Firoz Shah Kotla in New Delhi. Its ruins include two Ashokan pillars transported from Topra (in Punjab) and Meerut, which the Sultan had them planted in Delhi, and a mosque.

And near the speculated site of the legendary ancient city of Indraprastha, stood the sixth Delhi - the Purana Qila (Old Fort) (1538-1545). This imposing structure was built by the Mughal Emperor Humayun and acted as the citadel of the city of Dinapanah. However, the fort fell into the hands of the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri, who wrested the throne of Delhi from Humayun and built his own Dilli Sher Shahi or Shergarh. Although feared as a merciless warrior, Sher Shah left his artistic impression on the Purana Qila. He built a magnificent hall, Sher Mandal, and a remarkable mosque, Qila Kuhna Masjid, inside the fort. Sher Shah ruled from her till 1555 when Humayun returned to power and recaptured the fort. Legend goes that Humayun accidentally fell from a tower in Purana Qila and died.

Shahjahanabad, roughly comprising the areas of present-day Old Delhi, is the seventh city and living legacy of Delhi. Shifting the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi in the 17th century, Shah Jahan started the construction of Shahjahanabad around 1638 to 1649. The majestic The Red Fort and the Jama Masjid showcases some fine examples of Mughal architecture. Shah Jahan also created a fairy-tale like bazaar to shine under the light of the moon and is aptly called Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Boulevard).

Finally, Delhi's eight city, New Delhi, was the outcome of shifting the capital of British India from Kolkata (Calcutta) to Delhi in 1911. But due to delay in construction, New Delhi could only be formally inaugurated in 1931. Two British architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker were commissioned to design a city in sync with the architectural grandeur of London. New Delhi was born.

The emergence of the Indian freedom struggle against the British rule also saw Delhi at the helm of the freedom movement. Even before the British shifted their capital from Kolkata, Delhi was the deciding point for the first war of independence in 1857, also termed as Sepoy Mutiny. The mutiny failed to attain its desired ending, but Delhi became a thorn in the eyes of the British. By that time the call for liberation had gained rapid ground and Delhi witnessed the famous Siege of Delhi campaign in June 8, 1857. The pensioned descendant of the Mughal dynasty Bahadur Shah II, crowned as the leader of resistance, was captured and exiled to Burma.

And with the shift of the imperial capital, all the activities during the freedom struggle were moved towards Delhi. The Netaji Subash Chandra Bose led Azad Hind Fauz (Indian National Army) was formed with the motto to capture Delhi and established Swaraj (self-rule). Their slogan 'Dilli Chalo' is still today the cry of disparagement by leaders and political parties when they organize any rally or demonstration.

Time has stood witness to Delhi's numerous episodes of rejuvenation, anarchy, rise and fall of empires. There has been eight cities around modern Delhi, and true to an old saying - whoever founds a new city at Delhi will lose it - has come true every time. The mighty British who founded New Delhi in 1911 had to close its long Indian innings in August 15, 1947. And it was the hosting of the tricolor at the majestic Red Fort in Delhi, which marked a new chapter in the history of India.

Today, Delhi is a cosmopolitan city that echoes the emergence of a modern India standing firmly on a foundation that was created by the onslaught of time itself. The history of Delhi still rolls on as the city silently absorbs the joy, blood, sweat and tears of the times