Echoing a surge in cultural nationalism, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal has formally requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to rename Delhi as Indraprastha, reviving the capital’s Mahabharata-era glory. The initiative blends mythology, history, and hard evidence to reclaim lost heritage.
The Mahabharata depicts Indraprastha as a Yamuna-side metropolis crafted by the Pandavas—coordinates that pinpoint today’s Delhi. Bolstering this, ASI excavations at Purana Qila uncovered settlements from 1000 BCE, with artifacts tied to the epic period, dispelling doubts about the site’s antiquity.
Khandelwal advocates for Pandava statues at Purana Qila to immortalize this legacy. Simultaneously, he’s pressed Delhi CM Rekha Gupta to secure assembly endorsement, drawing parallels with renamings like Chennai from Madras.
This move, he argues, honors India’s ancient roots, ensuring the capital mirrors its civilizational depth. By seeking consultations with experts, Khandelwal lays groundwork for a thoughtful transition.
In a nation rediscovering its past, such proposals stir passion and debate. Renaming Delhi could symbolize a broader commitment to cultural authenticity, influencing how future generations perceive their homeland.