Delhi Then and Now comprises two masterful essays that trace the story of Delhi from the days when it was known by other names Indraprastha, Firozabad, Dinpanah to its reincarnation as New Delhi. Historian Narayani Gupta takes us through the city of Sultans, Mughal emperors and viceroys, while journalist Dilip Bobb shows us the face of New Delhi as it is now. A rich portfolio of archival photographs and illustrations, together with vibrant new pictures, edited by Pramod Kapoor, capture Delhi in all its glory past and present.
Delhi Then - A city of empires and dynasties, Delhi through the ages has evoked nostalgia of its history written on the red sandstone walls. From Quila Rai Pithora to the palace on Raisina Hill, the changing face of Delhi is remarkably discernible in these photographs - a special collection that give words to the spoken and unspoken history of this city.
Delhi Now - A city of dreams and desires, Delhi's urban landscape is incomplete without the stones of seven ancient cities which give it a distinct meaning, a distinct outlook. A modern city on the move, the colors and digital vibrancy of the photographs capturing Delhi in all moods and moments, is as imposing as the grand old structures of yesteryears. A twin city of old-world charm and new extravagance, Delhi has evolved through the ages and is looking forward to an era that will be remembered down the ages.
Narayani Gupta has taught history at Indraprastha College and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. She is presently a consultant with INTACH. Her research has been on urban history, particularly that of Delhi and has many books to her credit. She was a founder member of the Conservation Society of Delhi and has been a member of the Delhi Urban Art Commission.
Dilip Bobb was a founder member of the team that launched
India Today magazine and established the style template for what is considered a media phenomenon. He is currently its Managing Editor. He has co-authored
The Great Betrayal, an investigation into the assassination of Indira Gandhi. He has lived in Delhi since 1975 and seen and covered every aspect of its evolution, from politics to social trends and the visible economic changes that have transformed the city beyond recognition.
Pramod Kapoor, the founder and publisher of Roli Books (established in 1978), is a connoisseur of images. A sepia aficionado, he has over the course of his illustrious career conceived and produced award-winning books that have proven to be game changers in the world of publishing. Be it the hit 'Then and Now' series and the seminal
Made for Maharajas, or even the internationally acclaimed
New Delhi: The Making of a Capital. In 2016, he was conferred with the prestigious 'Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), the highest civil and military award in France, for his contribution towards producing books that have changed the landscape of Indian publishing and to promoting India's tangible and intangible heritage within the country and abroad.
