Delhi

Welcome to the capital of India, Delhi. Formerly known as ‘Dilli’,
 Delhi is a multicultural, cosmopolitan metropolis. The remains of seven major cities have been discovered in Delhi.

The Mughal Empire ruled over Delhi for more than three centuries. The only
break came during the reign of Sher Shah Suri from 1540 to 1556. Soon
after, Hindu king, Hemu Vikramaditya defeated Mughal Emperor Akbar and
captured the throne. The Mughals reestablished their rule shortly
thereafter. During Shah Jahan’s reign, the city was known as
Shahjahanabad. After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the city lost
its prominence. After India’s First War of Independence in 1857, Delhi
came under the direct rule of the British crown. In 1911, it was made the
capital of British India.



After India won its independence in 1947 and Delhi was officially
declared the capital, a team of architects led by Edwin Lutyens
designed a new political and administrative area. This came to be
known as New Delhi and it houses all the government buildings.



Delhi is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with
more than 12.25 million. It has the proud distinction of being India’s
cultural, political, and commercial centre. Its net State
Domestic Product is around 24.5 billion dollars and its per capita income is
1,450 dollars. The tertiary sector contributes 71% of Delhi's gross
SDP. Industry has grown considerably and many consumer
goods industries have established manufacturing units and headquarters
in and around Delhi.



Construction, power, telecommunications, health and community
services, and real estate power Delhi's economy. Delhi also has
India's largest retail industries. As a result, land prices are
booming and Delhi is currently ranked the 7th most expensive office 
hotspot in the world.



Delhi has a rich cultural heritage. Arts, literature, music, dance, and
theatre flourish here. It is home to many prominent personalities. Be
sure to be part of the famous Qutub Festival that showcases
performances by musicians and dancers from all over India. Or attend
the Auto Expo, Asia's largest auto show held in Delhi. If you are a
book lover, you could attend the World Book Fair the second largest
exhibition of books in the world with as many as 23 nations
participating!



Delhi is a food lover’s paradise. Punjabi and Mughlai delicacies like
Kababs and Biryanis are popular in Delhi. The street food there is
known to be delicious and includes several kinds of chaat. People from
all over the country have settled in Delhi giving it a multicultural
outlook. English, Hindi, Punjabi are the main languages of the region.



Delhi has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are long and extremely
hot. Dry, hot winds called ‘loo’ are common. The monsoons bring some
respite but the humidity increases at this time. Winters are chilly
and often see heavy fog.



Sightseeing

Qutub Minar – At 72.5 metres, this is the world's tallest brick
minaret. King Prithviraj started building it and the construction
was completed by Qutubuddib and Iltutmish. The Qutub Minar is one of
the best examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. It is surrounded by
several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively
known as Qutub complex.



Jantar Mantar – Built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur who was given
the task of revising the calendar and astronomical tables. It was
built in 1724 and consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments.
It is a must-visit for astronomy and history buffs alike!



India Gate – This is the national monument of India. Situated in the
heart of New Delhi, it was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It was
originally known as the All India War Memorial as it commemorates the
90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives while
fighting for the British Empire in World War I and the Third
Anglo-Afghan War. Following India's independence, India Gate became
the site of the Amar Jawan Jyoti or ‘the flame of the immortal
soldier’.



Red Fort - Built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, this is
one of Delhi’s most prominent landmarks. It served as the capital of
the Mughals until 1857, when Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was
exiled by the British. Every year on Independence Day, the Prime
Minister of India raises the Indian flag here. It incorporates Persian
and Indian architectural styles and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.