| Area : | 1438 sq. Km |
| Population : | 13,782,976 (2001) |
| Capital : | Delhi |
| Languages : | Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu. |
| Established : | 1 November 1958 |
| Rainfall : | 714 mm (approx.) |
About Delhi :
Delhi is the capital of India since old times. Delhi`s history dates back to the first millenium BC, when it was known as indraprastha. The Tomar Rajputs built Lal Kot, the core of the first of Delhi`s seven cities. It is the epicenter of the nation`s politics, economy and culture. History is alive and throbbing in Delhi, the capital of India.It is often said that the history of India is the history of Delhi. 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 bygonetimes. Delhi, is today, one of the fastest growing cities of India.
History of Delhi :
The history of this centre of power dates to the first millennium BC. In 1955 excavations within the Purana Qila revealed that the area was inhabited more than 3000 years ago. This was Indraprastha, a site associated with the epic Mahabharata.A clearer picture emerges at the end of the 10th century. The Tomar Rajputs built Lal Kot, the core of the first of Delhi`s seven cities. Later, another Rajput king, Prithviraj Chauhan — hero of ballads and legends — extended it to create the Qila Rai Pitbora. In 1206, Qutb ud din Aibak, a slave of Mohammad of Ghor crowned himself the Sultan of Delhi and occupied the Rajput fort. He commemorated his victory by building the Quwwat ul Islam mosque. It is the earliest extant mosque in India and within its courtyard stands the 4th-century standard of Lord Vishnu, the famous, uncorroded Iron Pillar. Nearby, he raised the towering minaret, the Qutb Minar, one of Delhi`s landmarks. Other architectural gems within this complex include the tomb of Illtutmish and the Alai Darwaza.
Around 1311, Allaudin Khilji established Siri, the second city and dug a vast reservoir at Hauz Khas. Very little remains of Siri, but Hauz Khas was extensively renovated a few decades later. Now, ethnic boutiques and cafes dot the Hauz Khas village and the location is as attractive as the exclusive goods on sale.
Museum in Delhi : Delhi Museum, National Museum, National Children`s Museum, Crafts Museum, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Gandhi Smriti Museum, Nehru Memorial Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Philatelic Museum, Rail Transport Museum, Red Fort Museum and International Dolls Museum.
Places to see in Delhi :
Red Fort : So called because of the red stone with which it is built, the Red Fort is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. India`s history is also closely linked with this fort. It was frorth here ht the British deposed the last Mughal ruler, Bhadur Shah Zafar, marking the end of the three century long Mughal rule. It was also fromits ramparts that the first prime. Minister of India, pandit Jawharlal Nehru, announced to the nation that India was free form colonial rule.
Qutub Minar : The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer. No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world.
Jama Masjid : Work on the Jama Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to complement his palace at the Red Fort. More than 5,000 workers toiled for six years to complete the largest mosque in India. Every Friday, the emperor and his retinue would travel in state from the fort to the mosque to attend the congressional prayers.
Purana Quila : The fort is said to be constructed on the historic site of Indraprastha (900BC) by Humayun and Sher Shah. Covering a circuit of about a mile, the walls of the fort have three gates and are surrounded by a mat fed by the river Yamuna.
Humayun`s Tomb : The mughals brought with them a love for gardens, fountains and water. The first mature example of Mughal architecture in India, Humayun`s Tomb was built by the emperor`s grieving widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD.
Safdarjung`s Tomb : Representing the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture, Safdarjang`s Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden.
Rajghat : The mortal remains of mahatma Gandhi were cremated on this spot on the west bank of the river Yamuna on the evening of January 31, 1948.
India Gate : Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931.
Rashtrapati Bhawan : Formely the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight of Lutyen`s New Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling. Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms.
Shopping in Delhi :
Delhi has long been the most important trading centre in Northern India. Many of its localities, like Sheikh Sarai and Yusuf Sarai, derive their names from medieval market towns which serviced the bygone, shifted capital cities of Delhi. Today, all of these have become a part of the rapidly expanding metropolis. Instead of market towns, there are specific whole sale markets or"mandi`s" scattered throughout the vast city, and their`s is another story.
For visitors to Delhi, shopping is high on the list of "things to do". Tourists find a wide choice of items- such as carpets, silks, jewellery, leather and silver ware, handicrafts and handprinted cotton - that are synonymus with India. Each item is available in a range of prices, depending on the quality and the outlet.Another interesting is that each market has its own, distinctive ambience and adds its own flavour to the experience of shopping. Haus Khas Village, Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk are worlds apart from one another, yet each of them reflects an aspect of this many - faceted city. In fact one of the fascinating ways of understanding a city is by wandering through its market places for it is here that contemporary culture is most visible to the outsider.
The exploration of Delhi`s markets could be begin at Chandni Chowk. Despite the pressures of traffic and population, its historic land marks servive to tell the story of the last three centuries. Many of the shops here are more than 100 years, old and the mesh of lanes and bylanes is full of superises. Leading off Chandni Chowk are Dariba, the silver market, Khari Baoli, the spice market and Kinari Bazar for trimmings and tinsel. In some of these bazaars the item for sale are manufactured at site, which lands a special charm to the shopping experience well integrated into the culture of the old city, these bazaars offer the visitor a glimpse of life in Old Delhi.
How to Reach Delhi :
By Air : All the major National and international Air Lines have their flights operating from Delhi`s indira Gandhi international Airport.
By Rail : The Indian Railway with their modern and organised network connects Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India. There are three important Railway Stations in Delhi namely New Delhi Rly. Station, Old Delhi Rly. Station and Hazarat Nizamuddin Rly. Station.
By Bus : Delhi is well connected by road to all major destinations in North India. The inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) are located at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar. Delhi Transport Corporations of the neighbouring states provide frequent bus services through Air Conditioned, Deluxe and Ordinary Coaches.
