From Indraprastha to New Delhi: Delhi's Historic Names

• Delhi's earliest name, Indraprastha, is linked to the Mahabharata as the legendary capital of the Pandavas, dating back over 3,000 years.
• The Rajput era saw the fortified city of Lal Kot built by Anangpal Tomar, later expanded and renamed Qila Rai Pithora by Prithviraj Chauhan.
• Local legends attribute names like Dhillika or Dhilli to King Dhilu in the 1st century BCE, which evolved into modern "Delhi."
• During the Delhi Sultanate, rulers established new capitals including Siri, Tughlaqabad, and Firozabad.
• Mughal emperors contributed names like Shergarh and Shahjahanabad, with New Delhi becoming the capital in 1931 under British rule.

Why It Matters: Delhi's names trace its millennia-long journey as a continuously evolving capital.