India, Sept. 13 -- Delhi has been marked by a unique pattern of development. A succession of different capitals was founded on adjacent yet distinct sites, each claiming to be the Delhi of its time, superseding all older Delhis. Unlike most cities with long histories, Delhi's successive sites were not built upon. Instead, the city's archaeology lies exposed to view, with each layer of its history occupying space. A rich archive of visual representations of Delhi's historic sites now exists, produced predominantly from the late 18th century onwards and shaped by the colonial gaze. Indian writers in the 19th century saw these sites not as vestiges of the past but as parts of the living city. Sair connotes travelling and viewing sights and spectacles. This tour of Delhi's historical sites is a lavishly produced volume that includes prints, drawings, company paintings, early photographs and postcards from the DAG collection, and scholarly essays on ways of seeing the city. Sair-e-Dilli has been released in time for a show of the same title at Bikaner House in the capital, which is on view until September 15....