Historical and amazing photos of Delhi

Delhi was once a provincial town and small commercial centre, but one decision changed its destiny forever.

At a Delhi Durbar in 1911, King George V announced the shifting of India's capital from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi.

With that announcement, Delhi went on a building spree and became the political powerhouse of the country.

Here we take a look at some historical and iconic images of Delhi.

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An aerial view of government buildings in Old Delhi, India, circa 1935.

On the left are the north and south blocks of the Secretariat Building with the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) in the background. On the right is the circular Indian Parliament (Sansad Bhavan).

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The Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the official residence of the Viceroy of India and later the President of India, 1935.

Designed by Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, it boasts a central dome surmounting a colonnaded facade five hundred feet long.

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An aerial view of Old Delhi, India, with the city wall in the foreground, circa 1935.

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An aerial shot of New Delhi, situated in the Delhi metropolitan area of India, April 3, 1933.

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An aerial view of New Delhi in India, circa 1930. At the top left is the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the Presidential Palace) and top right is the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India.

In the centre is the India Gate hexagon.

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Shah Jehan's solid iron pillar, nearly 24 feet high and erected in 1052 in the grounds of Kutb (Qutb) Minar by the Rajput Chief Anang Pal, who it is believed brought it to Delhi from Bihan.

Photo taken in April 1930.

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The Viceroy's House in New Delhi, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, circa 1930.

Later known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, it has been the official residence of the President of India since 1950.

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Circa 1930: An aerial view of the Government buildings of New Delhi, showing expanses of open space and gardens surrounding the buildings.

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Apainting of the Lal Quila or Red Fort on the banks of Jamuna, in Delhi, circa 1900.

The fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan between 1638 and 1648.

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Circa 1903: The procession attending the great Durbar, held in Delhi to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII.

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Circa 1880: A view of the Scinde Delhi and Punjab Railway, a few miles from Lahore, looking towards Meean Mir on the plains of Punjab in Northern India (modern day Pakistan).

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The Lal Quila or Red Fort on the banks of Jamuna, in Delhi, India, circa 1900.

The fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan between 1638 and 1648.

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The war-damaged Kashmir Gate on the north wall of the city of Delhi, 1858.

Delhi was besieged by the British during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, and the gate was the scene of the final assault before the capture of the city by forces under Brigadier John Nicholson.

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Delhi with an encircling wall seen from the surrounding countryside.

In the foreground an elephant with howdah and passengers.

Original Artwork: Artist - J Ramage. Engraved by Edward Paxman Brandard (1819-1898).

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The Qutub Minar in Delhi, circa 1865. It is a 237.8 foot-high brick minaret dating back to the 12th century.

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The Jama Masjid, Delhi, 1858. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the mosque was completed in 1656.

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A bridge of boats across the Jumna, or Yamuna River, as viewed from Delhi, circa 1858.

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The ruins of the Bank House, owned by the Dyce Sombre family in Delhi, 1858.

The building was wrecked in fighting during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

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Metcalfe House, built by Sir Thomas Metcalfe of the East India Company, on the river Yamuna north of Delhi, shortly after it was sacked during the Indian Mutiny, 1858.