The capital of India, in the north-central part of the country south of Delhi. It was constructed 1912–1929 to replace Calcutta as the capital of British India and officially inaugurated in 1931. New Delhi is also a trade and transportation center. Population: 312,000.
Delhi is one of the most historic capitals in the world and two of its monuments- the Qutb Minar and Humayun's Tomb - have been declared World Heritage Sites. It is also one of the greenest capitals. For the visitor, it serves as a perfect introduction to the cultural wealth, the complexities and dynamism of India.
The capital city today has grown. It has engulfed all the ancient city sites and overflows across the Yamuna and the Northen Ridge. Delhi is still changing.
New Delhi, the capital of India, has always occupied a strategic position in the country's history, as Hindu and Islamic dynasties have ruled from here, leaving their imprint in the form of relics, which recapture those bygone times. Delhi, is today, one of the fastest growing cities of India. Here, remnants of the past survive cheek - by - jowl with skyscrapers, residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes. The city houses some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country. It has speciality restaurants to please the gourmet, open parks and gardens ablaze with flowers, and in winter months, particularly, an amazing plethora of cultural events. Its multi - layered existence is tantalizing, and can entice the curious traveller into a fascinating journey of discovery.
Delhi's history dates back to the first millenium B.C., when it was known as Indraprastha. The Tomar Rajputs built Lal Kot, the core of the first of Delhi's seven cities. It was annexed by Prithviraj Chauhan, who extended it, to create the Qila Rai Pithora. Qutub-ud-Din-Aibak made Delhi his capital in 1206, and built Quwwat ul Islam Mosque, which is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. He also built the towering minaret, the Qutab Minar, one of Delhi's great landmarks.
Around 1311, Allaudin Khilji established Siri, the second city, north east of the Qila, and dug a vast reservoir at Hauz Khas. The Tughlaqs who ruled the city after the Khiljis, built the third city of Tughlaqabad to the extreme south of Delhi. The fourth city of Jahanpanah has practically disappeared now, but the fifth city Firoz Shah Kotla rises off Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and is famous for its Ashokan pillar. When the Mughals replaced the Tughlaq dynasty in the early 16th century, Babur concentrated on developing Agra, and made it his capital. But his son, Humayun, constructed a new capital in Delhi, on the banks of the river Yamuna, and called it Din Panah. Shah Jahan created Shahjahanabad along the river, as the well - planned, seventh township of Delhi. It remained the Mughal capital until 1857. The monument that remains as a proud reminder of their glorious rule, is the majestic Red Fort.
Delhi came under British rule after 1857, and in 1911 they decided to make it their capital. The area south of Shahjahanabad, was chosen as the site for the imperial capital, and was built on a regal scale by January 1931. Lutyens and Baker designed much of the architecture along the stretch between India Gate at one end, and Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's residence) at the other; with the adjoining administrative buildings of North and South Block, Parliament House and Connaught Place nearby.
Delhi was made a Union Territory on November 1, 1956. With the 69th Constitutional amendment, Delhi got a Legislative Assembly when the National Capital Territory Act was enacted in 1991. Following state assembly elections in Delhi, Mr. Madan Lal Khurana became the first Chief Minister of Delhi. Mr. Sahib Singh Verma took over from Mr. Khurana as the Chief Minister in early 1996.
Delhi, besides being the seat of the Central Government, has an economy supported by agriculture, tourism, commerce and a growing industry. With the development of infrastructure facilities, Delhi plays host to a number of national and international events including sports - related events, conferences and seminars.
