Delhi
| Delhi | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) |
| Also Known As | Dilli; New Delhi (capital city) |
| Country | India |
| Status | Union Territory with Legislature |
| Capital City | New Delhi |
| Location | North-Central India |
| River | Yamuna |
| Coordinates | 28.61°N 77.23°E |
| Borders | Haryana (North, West, South); Uttar Pradesh (East) |
| Area (NCT) | 1,484 sq km |
| Area (New Delhi) | 42.7 sq km |
| Population (NCT 2011) | 16+ million |
| Population (Metro) | 28+ million (National Capital Region) |
| Inhabited Since | At least 6th century BCE |
| New Delhi Established | 1931 |
| UNESCO Sites | Red Fort; Qutub Minar Complex; Humayun's Tomb |
| GDP per Capita Rank | 2nd in India (after Goa) |
| HDI Rank | 5th in India |
| Website | delhi.gov.in |
Delhi — officially the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) and locally known as Dilli — is the national capital of India and the country's political, cultural and economic heart. Located in the north-central part of India on the banks of the Yamuna River, Delhi is the second most populous metropolis in India and one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world — with the NCT population exceeding 16 million and the broader National Capital Region (NCR) home to over 28 million people. Delhi has been continuously inhabited since at least the 6th century BCE and has served as the seat of numerous powerful empires — including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire — leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of architecture, culture and history. It is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Red Fort, the Qutub Minar Complex and Humayun's Tomb. Despite being a Union Territory, Delhi operates with its own legislature and High Court. It ranks 5th in India's Human Development Index and has the second highest GDP per capita in India after Goa.
Overview
Delhi consists of two distinct but interconnected parts:
- Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) — The historic Mughal-era city; a dominant trading and commercial centre of northern India for centuries; characterised by its dense urban fabric, historic monuments, bustling bazaars and rich cultural heritage
- New Delhi — The planned colonial-era capital; home to India's national government, Parliament, Supreme Court and the offices of the President and Prime Minister; built by the British and formally dedicated in 1931
Etymology
The name Delhi is believed to have several possible origins. The city is known locally as Dilli — and some historians trace the name to the Tomar ruler Dhillu or Dilu who is said to have founded a city in the region. Other theories link the name to the Hindi/Prakrit word Dhili — meaning loose — referring to the loose soil of the Yamuna floodplains.
History
Ancient Period
Delhi has been continuously inhabited since at least the 6th century BCE. The region has immense mythological and historical significance — it is widely associated with the Pandavas of the Mahabharata, who are said to have founded their capital Indraprastha in the Delhi region. Many site names in Delhi are a millennium old and there are material remains from the 12th century.
In ancient times, the city was described in epics from the 4th century CE in terms of its landscapes, sociability and cultural expression — reflecting its importance as a centre of civilisation from very early times.
Medieval Period — Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)
The medieval period ushered in the era of the Delhi Sultanate — a succession of five dynasties that ruled from Delhi between 1206 and 1526. This era produced some of India's most iconic architectural monuments — including the Qutb Minar (begun c. 1193) — the tallest brick minaret in the world — and numerous mosques, tombs and forts that established Delhi as a pre-eminent centre of Islamic architecture and culture in South Asia.
The skill of medieval engineers is still visible today in the water channels and irrigation systems they created across the Delhi region.
Mughal Empire (1526–1857)
The Mughal era brought unparalleled glory to Delhi. Emperor Shah Jahan built the magnificent walled city of Shahjahanabad — now known as Old Delhi — in the mid-17th century. His most iconic contribution to Delhi is the Red Fort (Lal Qila) — built between 1638 and 1648 — a masterpiece of Mughal architecture in red sandstone, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other significant Mughal monuments in Delhi include Humayun's Tomb — built in the 16th century for the Mughal Emperor Humayun — considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and a precursor to the Taj Mahal; and the Jama Masjid — one of the largest mosques in India.
British Colonial Period and New Delhi (1858–1947)
Following the British annexation of Delhi after the Revolt of 1857, the city came under direct British Crown rule. In December 1911, King George V decreed that the capital of British India would be moved from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi. Construction of the new capital began in 1912 — designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker — at a site about 3 miles (5 km) south of the old Delhi city centre. New Delhi was formally dedicated and inaugurated as the capital of British India in 1931.
Post-Independence (1947 — Present)
Following India's independence on 15 August 1947, Delhi became the capital of independent India. The partition of India in 1947 brought significant demographic shifts to Delhi — as millions of refugees from West Punjab and Sindh settled in the city, profoundly reshaping its demographic and cultural character.
Delhi was designated a Union Territory in 1956. In 1991, Delhi was granted a special status as the National Capital Territory (NCT) — with its own elected legislature and government while remaining under the Union Government's jurisdiction in certain matters.
Since the 1990s, New Delhi has emerged as a vital hub in the international corporate and financial network — reflecting India's economic liberalisation and rapid urbanisation.
Geography
Delhi is located at 28.61°N, 77.23°E in north-central India — on the west bank of the Yamuna River. The NCT of Delhi borders:
- North, West and South — Haryana
- East — Uttar Pradesh
The Hindon River separates Ghaziabad from the eastern part of Delhi. Delhi's geography features the Yamuna floodplains to the east, the Aravalli Ridge to the south and west, and the relatively flat Delhi plain across most of the territory. Delhi has the third highest quantity of trees among all Indian cities.
Climate
Delhi has a semi-arid/tropical climate with four distinct seasons:
- Summer (April to June) — Very hot; temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C; May and June are the hottest months
- Monsoon (July to September) — Moderate to heavy rainfall; temperatures drop somewhat
- Post-Monsoon / Autumn (October to November) — Pleasant and mild
- Winter (December to February) — Cool to cold; temperatures can drop to near 0°C; fog is common
Administration
Delhi has a unique constitutional status as a Union Territory with a Legislature — giving it characteristics of both a state and a Union Territory:
- Lieutenant Governor — Appointed by the President of India; the constitutional head
- Chief Minister — Elected head of government; leads the Delhi Cabinet
- Delhi Legislative Assembly — 70-seat elected legislature
- Delhi High Court — The High Court for the NCT of Delhi
New Delhi — the capital city within the NCT — houses the key institutions of the Government of India:
- Parliament of India (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha)
- Supreme Court of India
- Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's residence)
- South Block and North Block (Prime Minister's and key ministries' offices)
- India Gate — the national war memorial
Economy
Delhi is one of India's most economically significant cities — ranked 5th in the Human Development Index and with the second highest GDP per capita in India after Goa. Key economic sectors include:
- Public administration and government services
- Trade and commerce — Old Delhi remains a major trading hub
- Real estate and construction
- Education and healthcare
- Tourism — driven by heritage sites, monuments and cultural attractions
- Information technology and financial services — New Delhi's emergence as an international corporate hub since the 1990s
- Retail and hospitality
Culture
Delhi's cultural life exhibits a unique blend of traditional and cosmopolitan styles — shaped by thousands of years of continuous habitation and the influence of dozens of ruling dynasties and communities. The city hosts numerous fairs and festivals throughout the year including the Republic Day Parade, Qutub Festival, International Trade Fair and the Surajkund Mela. Various religious groups — Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain and others — contribute to ongoing celebrations that make Delhi one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
Delhi is also known for its vibrant street food culture — including the iconic chaat, paranthas, kebabs and numerous regional cuisines from across India — reflecting the city's cosmopolitan character.
Landmarks and Heritage Sites
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Red Fort (Lal Qila) — Built by Emperor Shah Jahan (1638–1648); a Mughal masterpiece in red sandstone; the site of India's Independence Day celebrations every year on 15 August
- Qutub Minar Complex — A 12th-century Islamic architectural complex; the Qutb Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world
- Humayun's Tomb — Built in the 16th century; considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture; a precursor to the Taj Mahal
Other Major Landmarks
- India Gate — The national war memorial; designed by Edwin Lutyens
- Rashtrapati Bhavan — The President of India's official residence
- Jama Masjid — One of the largest mosques in India; built by Shah Jahan
- Lotus Temple — A stunning Bahá'í House of Worship; an iconic modern architectural landmark
- Akshardham Temple — One of the largest Hindu temples in the world
- Parliament House — India's legislative centre
Education
Delhi is one of India's foremost educational centres — home to numerous universities, colleges and research institutions:
- University of Delhi (DU)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)
- Indian Institute of Management Delhi (IIM Delhi)
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Indraprastha University
- Numerous CBSE-affiliated schools and premier educational institutions
Connectivity
Delhi is one of the best-connected cities in India and Asia:
- Air — Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) — one of the busiest airports in Asia
- Metro — Delhi Metro — one of the largest and most modern metro systems in the world
- Rail — New Delhi Railway Station and several major stations connecting Delhi to all parts of India
- Road — Multiple national highways and expressways connecting Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow and other cities
Notable Personalities
Delhi is home to and associated with countless distinguished personalities across politics, literature, arts, education and public life. Among contemporary educators and authors based in Delhi:
- Dharamvir Kumar Tyagi 'RAVI' — Distinguished science educator, published author and mentor; author of Koshish-Jara See, The YOU and other works; based in West Delhi
See Also
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Delhi
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — New Delhi
- The IAS Hub — NCT of Delhi
- Government of NCT of Delhi — Official Website