Day 10a Exploring Delhi - Old Delhi

One of many old Mughal monuments in Old Delhi

Our tour guide, Arjun called for us early this morning at 8.30am. After a really good night sleep we were up at about 6.45am and came down for breakfast at 7.30am. Arjun took us to the Old City to begin the tour. Here we went past Turk Gate that used to serve as one of the entrances to the old city. See pictures below for account of places visited.

Turk Gate, named because it faces Turkey (the country!)

This is and image of the main Mosque in the old city. It is one of the major mosques in the world and can hold up to 20,000 people for prayers at one time.



We were not allowed into the Red Fort, the police had closed it down due to a security alert. However, we were able to take some pictures of the Emporer Shan Jahan’s private buildings from the road opposite. This picture shows his private quarters.



We went to Chandni Chowk. Here we got out and went into Gurdwara Sis Ghanj Sahib. This is where Guru Teg Bahadur the 9th Sikh Guru was beheaded by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. During this period the Aurangzeb was forcibly trying to convert all non-muslims in his empire to Islam. A group of Hindu Pandits called upon Guru Teg Bahadur and asked him for his help to end this tyranny. The Guru gave permission for the Pandits to sent a letter to Aurangzeb in which they said that if he could convert the Guru to Islam they would follow suit. Aurangzeb had Guru Teg Bahadur arrested and brought to Delhi. Here given enticements and when that failed Aurangzeb had Guru Teg Bahadur and his companions tortured. When the Guru failed to yield, Aurangzeb asked him why he would suffer such an ordeal for people who were not of his faith. Guru Teg Bahadur is said to have replied that it is the right of every person to follow the faith of their choice without coercion. On hearing this Aurangzeb ordered Guru Teg Bahadur to be put to death. He was beheaded at the Chandi Chowk and this Gurdwara stands on the exact spot the execution took place.



Guru Teg Bahadur is revered for his sacrifice not only by Sikhs but by Indian’s of all faiths. This is because he espoused the values that are important to a hugely diverse country like modern India.