Delhi's Many Names: From Indraprastha to Dhillika
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal has renewed the demand to rename Delhi as Indraprastha to reconnect the city with its ancient roots linked to the Mahabharata era. The article explores Delhi's historical evolution from the iron pillar era and the Tomara dynasty’s Dhillika to the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods, showing how its name has layered meanings blending myth and history.
The article discusses the recent proposal by BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal to rename India's capital from Delhi to Indraprastha, the ancient city linked to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. This demand aims to restore Delhi's connection to its ancient cultural and civilizational roots. The article chronicles Delhi's complex history, highlighting the 7-meter Iron Pillar from the Gupta era relocated by the Tomara king Anangpal II, possibly inspiring the old name Dhillika from the word 'dheela' meaning loose, linked to local legends. Historical inscriptions confirm Dhillika's existence predating the medieval Delhi Sultanate. Another theory suggests the name derives from 'Dehleez,' meaning threshold, referencing Delhi's role as a gateway. Archaeological evidence shows continuing human settlements in the region, with sites like Purana Qila having Painted Grey Ware pottery, possibly connected to Indraprastha but lacking definitive proof of exact location. Historian Alexander Cunningham distinguished Indraprastha and Delhi as two different cities about 5 miles apart. The name Delhi evolved through Persian and colonial influence, while the indigenous 'Dhilli' remains in local vernacular. The article reflects on how Delhi’s rich history is layered, mixing mythology and history, making the renaming debate a question of cultural belief. Critics argue the name change may erase the city's shared past and serve communal agendas, evidencing controversy around the proposal.
