The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-09-15
"CITY OF KINGS"
Ancient Delhi Well Worthy Of
Pompous Appellation.
New Capital Of India Has Long His
tory Filled With Effort, Tragedy,
\ and wild Romance.

It as been said as Agra Is the
poets city, SO Is Delhi the city OF
XII 3. And certainly there is sense
Of pa p and glory that still fingers
about the place, an atmosphere of van
/ he'd splendors that strikes even the
winter tourist who wanders, guidebook
In hand, around its mass of ruins and
down its stately streets. Even SO, as
you should see Agra first In the soft,
blurred twilight of the day, you should
approach Delhi in the broad, brave
light Of early morning. Entering the
town from the Meerut side, when the
sun is mounting serenely In a pale,
clear sky, making the broad Jumna
sparkle freshly, throwing into clear re-
lief the brown, vigorous dhobis who
hang their white washing joyously up
ON the stones, rousing the red, glowing
walls of the great fort to cheerful well
come. this is to see Delhi in its most
vital aspect city of life and busy,
worldly activity, always at the center
of the history of every age For, what
ever may be said for or against the
expensive and troublesome removal OF
the seat Of government from Calcutta.
it is at least historically fitting that
this ancient town-alwayS at the core
Of Tndia's history, whether as Delhi,
Indraprastha or Shahjehanabad-
should now again become. its capital.
The seven Delhis around-scattered
In ruin nOw--represent-each Of them
Ia chapter of history packed with eff
fort tragedy and romance. Never was
city more teeming with the sense OF
the press of life, of history inevitably
made in the shadow of it's red walls.
Like Rome, Delhi has two distinct
pasts lying side by side. In Rome 1t is
the ancient Roman civilization and the
past Of the Renaissance, in Delhi the
old days of invading M0hammedan
horles and the period of undiluted
splendor inaugurated by the early
AIughals. But unlike Rome, Delhi has
always background of grimness to
show to each bright picture. making
the sensuous glory Of 1t the more hec-
ticly bright Therefore, after cheer
full sunny morning spent among the
geld embroideries, the worries and
silks and jewels of the broad and
lovely Chandni Chauk-the finest
street, some say, in the world--or
amidst the imperial, forgotten pomp
OF the red-walled fort, the quiet of
tle evening is the time above all
others for wandering amidst the frag-
ments of the ancient Delhis. The
whole of the neighborhood is strewn
with these remains for although "the
seven Dclhis" is a picturesque enough
term. in sober fact the cities that lie
crumI.led around the present capital
of India number twelve or thirteen,
True. Of the original city of Indrap.
rastha. built by the .Pandaya brothers
and said to have been on the site OF
the present village Of Indarpat. nc
vesttge remains. Drive out "a few
miles and you will find Tughlakabad
built by the first sultan Of the house
of Tughlak. !. Long and ponderOus
and grim. 1t lies, once so full of the
life and bustIe of medieval court
now deserted by all save the wild pea.
cocks, gorgeous as>any courtier of old
who step daintily among its ruins
-Barbara Wingfeld Stratf0rd In
AIndia and the English"