New Delhi: The debate over renaming the national capital has intensified as BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal reiterated his demand to rename Delhi as ‘Indraprastha’, citing the city’s ancient heritage and cultural identity.
Speaking to the media, Khandelwal said the identity of any state lies in its historical roots and that Delhi’s true legacy stems from Indraprastha — the capital of the Pandavas.
“If we look at Delhi’s history carefully, it is actually the history of Indraprastha. During the era of the Pandavas, the land known as Khandavprastha was gifted to them by Maharaja Dhritarashtra, and on the advice of Lord Krishna, they developed it as Indraprastha. That legacy should be restored,” said Khandelwal.
He further urged that Delhi’s name, along with its airport and railway stations, be renamed to reflect India’s ancient civilization rather than the Mughal period.
“Delhi’s name was changed in between by certain rulers. I have suggested that it be renamed Indraprastha again. Statues of the Pandavas and ancient warriors should be installed at prominent locations like Chandni Chowk to reflect our heritage,” he added.
Khandelwal also questioned why many roads and monuments in Delhi still bear the names of Mughal invaders, while Indian kings who fought for independence from foreign rulers remain largely forgotten.
“Today, Delhi’s roads and landmarks are named after Mughal invaders, but there’s no mention of our kings who sacrificed their lives for the country. This imbalance must be corrected,” the BJP MP asserted.
He alleged that Delhi’s historical narrative was deliberately distorted to erase the contributions of Indian rulers and promote a particular era.
“When Delhi’s history was written, there was a conspiracy to omit the names of those rulers who freed the country from Mughal rule. That needs correction now,” he said.
Khandelwal’s statement has reignited the long-standing political and cultural debate over restoring Indraprastha’s identity, which many view as part of a broader push to reclaim India’s ancient heritage in public spaces.
