New Delhi

New Delhi is the capital city of India and is located within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It is where important government buildings are located, such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the Presidential Palace), Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House), and the Supreme Court. New Delhi is its own small area, managed by the New Delhi Municipal Council, and is part of a much larger city called Delhi.

Although many people use the names Delhi and New Delhi interchangeably, they are actually different. New Delhi is just a small part of the big city of Delhi, which is also called a megacity. There is an even larger area called the National Capital Region, which includes Delhi and some nearby places such as Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad.

The history of New Delhi began in 1911 when the foundation stone was laid by George V during the Delhi Durbar of 1911. Famous British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed the city. New Delhi was officially opened on 13 February 1931 by the Viceroy and Governor-General Irwin.

History

See also: Construction of New Delhi

Until 1911, Calcutta was India’s capital during British rule. The government decided to move the capital to Delhi because it would be easier to manage the country from there. The new city was planned by famous architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, and construction began after World War I, finishing in 1931.

After India gained independence in 1947, New Delhi was given limited self-rule. Later changes made it part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, with its own elected government for many areas, though some powers like law and order stayed with the national government. In the 1950s, the area of Chanakyapuri was built to house foreign embassies.

Geography

New Delhi covers an area of 42.7 km² (16.5 sq mi) and is a small part of the larger Delhi area. It sits on the Indo-Gangetic Plain and was once part of the Aravali Range, now only represented by the Delhi Ridge, often called the "Lungs of Delhi." Although New Delhi lies on the floodplains of the Yamuna River, it is mostly landlocked, with the urban area of Shahdara to the east.

Delhi has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and cool winters. Summers bring frequent thunderstorms, known locally as andhi, while winters are mild and sometimes foggy. The city experiences a summer monsoon from late June to mid-September, which brings most of the annual rainfall. The highest temperature ever recorded in New Delhi was 49.9 °C (121.8 °F), and the lowest was −2.2 °C (28.0 °F). The average yearly temperature is about 25 °C (77 °F).

Demographics

As of 2011, the New Delhi Municipal Council area had a population of 249,998. Hindi is the most widely spoken language in New Delhi and acts as the common language for everyone. English is used mainly in business and government settings. The city has a high literacy rate of 89.38%, the highest in Delhi.

According to the 2011 census, most people in New Delhi practice Hinduism, with smaller communities of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Jains. Other groups include Parsis, Buddhists, and Jews. Notable religious buildings include Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Laxminarayan Temple, and Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque inside Old Fort.

Government

New Delhi is the capital of India and is governed by both the Central Government of India and the local Government of Delhi. It is managed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which is different from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Cantonment Board that oversee other parts of Delhi. The NDMC is led by a chairperson and includes members from the local legislature, as well as representatives chosen by both the Chief Minister and the central government.

Economy

See also: Companies in New Delhi

New Delhi is a major commercial hub in northern India. It is one of the largest centres for business and finance, with important areas like Connaught Place and Barakhamba Road leading the way. Many multinational companies have set up offices here, especially in industries such as information technology, banking, and tourism. The city's strong economy is supported by a skilled workforce, many of whom speak English well.

The government and service sectors are key employers in New Delhi. Over the years, the city has grown to become one of the richest in India, with a high per capita income and significant economic activity. The tertiary sector, which includes services, makes up the largest part of Delhi's economy, followed by secondary and primary sectors.

Culture

New Delhi is a vibrant and diverse city, reflecting India's rich cultural heritage. As the capital, it hosts important national events like Republic Day and Independence Day, where the prime minister of India speaks to the nation. People celebrate these days with joy, often flying kites to mark the spirit of freedom. The city also comes alive with many religious festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Eid ul-Fitr, and Christmas.

New Delhi is filled with historic sites and museums. The India Gate stands as a memorial for soldiers who served in World War I. The National Museum holds thousands of artworks and artifacts from many times and places. Beautiful gardens like Lodi Gardens and Buddha Jayanti Park add to the city's charm, making it a lovely place to visit.

Cityscape

New Delhi was planned by the British architect Edwin Lutyens to be the central administrative area of the city. The city is built around two main streets called the Rajpath and the Janpath. The Rajpath runs from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate, while the Janpath crosses the Rajpath at right angles and starts at Connaught Circus. Many foreign embassies are located nearby on Shantipath.

At the heart of the city is the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which sits atop Raisina Hill. The government offices are nearby, and the Parliament House is located at Sansad Marg, close to the Rajpath. Connaught Place is a large, circular area for shopping, designed to look like the Royal Crescent in England. Twelve roads lead out from Connaught Place, including the Janpath.

The architecture of New Delhi was designed to show British power, mixing styles from Hindu and Islamic traditions with British Classical designs. Building the city took about 20 years, starting in 1911. In 2019, plans were introduced to redesign part of the city.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Delhi

New Delhi has many ways to get around, making it easy for people to travel within the city and beyond. The main airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, located to the southwest of Delhi. It is very busy, handling many passengers each year and has won several awards for being a great airport.

The city also has an extensive road network, including important roads like the Inner Ring Road and Outer Ring Road, as well as expressways connecting New Delhi to nearby cities such as Noida, Gurgaon, and Faridabad. New Delhi is well-connected by railways, with several main stations and a circular railway line that runs parallel to the Ring Road.

The Delhi Metro is a fast and reliable way to travel around the city. It has many lines and stations, stretching into nearby areas, and includes features to help everyone, including those who are visually impaired. The Metro has helped reduce traffic on the roads by taking many cars off the streets.

Sports

New Delhi has been an important host for many sports events. The city held the 2010 Commonwealth Games and hosts the yearly Delhi Half Marathon. In the past, it also held the 1951 Asian Games and the 1982 Asian Games.

Some of the big sports places in New Delhi are the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ambedkar Stadium, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Arun Jaitley Stadium, R.K. Khanna Tennis Complex, Dhyan Chand National Stadium, and Siri Fort Sports Complex.

International relations and organisations

Main article: Declaration of Delhi

See also: List of diplomatic missions in India

New Delhi is an important city for international organizations. Many United Nations offices, such as UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, and WHO, have their regional offices there. The city also has many foreign embassies and high commissions.

New Delhi has hosted several important international meetings. It held the 7th NAM Summit in 1983, the 4th BRICS Summit in 2012, and the G20 summit in 2023. The city is also a partner with other major cities around the world, including Moscow, Russia, and Beijing, China.

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in India