| Page Views: 308 Last Visit to New Delhi: January, 2009 I Visit Here Frequently | The capital city of my country by Rupanworld - last update: Jan 21, 2009 |
New Delhi is the capital city of World's largest democracy, India. In Indian languages, it is pronounced as Naya (New) Dilli. It is the largest metropolitan city in Indian in terms of area with an area of about 1483 square kilometers and the thrid largest metropolitan city in terms of population after Mumbai and Kolkata with a population of 12 million people. It is the eighth largest metropolitan city in the world by population. It was an Union Territory of India and was administered by the central government until 1991. However, the Sixty-ninth Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1991 declared the national capital territory (NCT) of Delhi to be an independent state. It is officially known as the National Capital Region (NCR).
This city is located on the banks of river Yamuna and is in the northern part of the country. So an Indian would classify Delhi as North Indian city, infact, it is so for all Indian cities. It is a big country and cities are differentiated by the regions they belong to. The region adds special characteristics to the city. So if you have been in Mumbai or Goa, which are in the west, you cannot generalise about Delhi, it will be totally different.
New Delhi has a very early beginning in history as a settlement and has for long been the capital of India (or Hindustan as India was earlier known as) even under the past Emperors, except during the British period between 1772 till 1911, when Calcutta was made the Indian capital. It was also the capital of the Mughal Empire in India from 1649 to 1857. History reveals that Delhi has been inhabited since the 6th century BC, standing testimony to the twists and turns of history for 2600 years. This makes Delhi one of the oldest cities in the world along with Damascus and Varanasi. However, legend makes it even older, somewhat 5000 years old. It finds place in the longest epic in the world, the Mahabharata, and is referred to there as Indraprastha. It is believed that during these 5 millenia, it has been constructed and destroyed and reconstructed 11 times. I guess that also makes it one of the oldest capital cities of the world.
Delhi has always been a major hub of political, cultural and commercial happenings in India. Because of its long history, it has many ancient and medieval monuments, archaeological sites and important remains.
In 1911 Emperor George V announced that the capital of India would move back to Delhi. It was then that a new capital city, New Delhi was built to the south of the old city (Old Delhi). This new city continued to remain the capital of India even after its independence from British rule in 1947. To add to the already existent historical monuments and attractions in the city, many important buildings and offices of the federal government, including the Parliament of India, were added. This makes Delhi a must see for tourists. New Delhi is highly cosmopolitan and urbanised. As compared to the otehr Indian metropolitan cities, it is also less conjested and cleaner. |
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| In A Nutshell: | "One of the oldest existing city in the world - a must see" |
Rupanworld's New Delhi Travel Tips
 Comments for Rupanworld about New Delhi | | | | |
balhannah Fri Aug 28, 2009 09:58 UTC
Certainly a lot of beautiful buildings here to have a look at. Will have to return to read more. | Paarie Mon Feb 2, 2009 13:16 UTC
Very good page and great tips! | hunterV Thu Jan 22, 2009 13:27 UTC
Hello, Rupa! You're a wonderful guide about this place! Thanks! | jethanand Sat Jan 17, 2009 15:19 UTC
Hi Rupan , Thank you very much for your posting about New Delhi. For me, personally, it is a very good refresher. I lenjoyed the style, narrative and pictures. |
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- Hotel Swati
15A/56, W.E.A Karol Bagh Near Jainsons, Ajmal Khan Road, New Delhi
- Clark International
5/47, W.E.A., Saraswati Marg Karol Bagh, New Delhi
- Hotel Omni
12A/21, WEA Saraswati Marg, Karol Bagh, New Delhi
- Hotel Asian International
Janpath Lane, New Delhi
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