Delhi

State

Delhi is one of the most important cities of India, as it is the National Capital Territory, which is also the location of the major administrative and legal offices of the country.

The city is situated on the banks of river Yamuna, and is the geographical location for many important and popular historical monuments like Humayun's Tomb, Jama Masjid, Lotus Temple.

Some of the popular places are:

Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is considered as one of the oldest and busiest markets in North Delhi. It is situated in the Shahjahanabad area between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid. On both sides of the wide Chandni Chowk streets are historical residential areas flanked by narrow lanes (galis).

It houses many temples like Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir and Hindu Gauri Shankar Temple. Apart from these temples, it also has a Gurudwara namely Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib. There exist 2 mosques in this place, namely Muslim Sunehri Masjid and Muslim Fatehpuri Masjid.

It is counted among the biggest wholesale and retail markets of India. It was built in 1650 when Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan shifted his capital to Delhi and is around 300 years old. It is believed that the Emperor's daughter Jahanara, designed this market, where an array of shops were established in a half-moon shape.

Chandni Chowk is famous all over in India for its eating joints and some of these are very old. Tourists can reach this place as the by travelling by bus to the Inter State Bus Terminal that is located very close to it.

Connaught Place
Connaught Place is the commercial hub of New Delhi, which is popular among tourists for shopping. It was built in 1931 and was inspired from well planned and well structured Victorian style of architecture. Connaught Place is divided into two zones, inner circle and outer circle. It was designed by Robert Tor Russell and W. H. Nicholls, and was named after the Duke of Connaught, who was the member of British royal family.

Of the two circles of Connaught Place, Inner Circle has numerous international brands, restaurants, eateries and bars and bookshops. The place is also popular for buying handicraft items from the nearby location, Janpath.

All the branches of major nationalised and international banks along with the offices of tour operators and emporiums are present in Connaught Place. There is also a central park, located at the centre of Connaught Place, which offers a beautiful environment.

Connaught place is located in the heart of the city and can be reached with the availability of various modes of transport such as bus, auto-rickshaw and metro.

Hauz Khas
Hauz Khas is the historical battleground where Timur defeated Mohammed Shah Tughlaq in 1398. One can find the remnants of an ancient college and Feroz Shah's tomb here and on the east to a short distance the Moth ki Masjid built in the finest Lodi style. Once an archetypal North Indian Village in the heart of Delhi's urban sprawl, Hauz Khas is now a shopper's paradise successfully marketing the concept of ethnicity in every possible way. Hauz Khas was a large reservoir built by Allauddin Khilji that was once the water catchments for the city. This village is remarkable for both the ancient and charming ruins in the nearby compound looking down on a still, green tank, as well as for the modern and posh shopping complex, which has sprung up around here. The madarsa, tombs and mosque around it built by Feroz Shah Tuglaq still make for an exclusive and exciting experience. Hauz Khas is also the site of India's first Night Bazaar being built by the Ministry of Tourism.

History

Hindu mythology suggests Delhi, earlier known as "Hastinapur", to have been the site of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata.

It has a long historical past dating back to settlements grew from the time of the Mauryan Empire including a history as the capital of several empires. It encompasses various kings and emperors who fixed their royal citadels here - Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad.

Since 12th century, Delhi has seen the rise and fall of seven major powers. The Chauhans took control in the 12th century and made Delhi the most important Hindu centre in northern India followed by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, who brought in over 6 centuries of Muslim rule. The Delhi Sultanate lasted from 1206 to 1526, and was followed by the mighty Mughals from 1526 to 1857 and it was from here that the Mughals spread their roots. It is believed that the Mughal Empire had immense influence on the all-round socio-economic development of the city. In 1857, the British captured Delhi and installed a British administrator and it was an important commercial centre. George V announced in 1911 that the capital of British controlled parts of India would move back to Delhi. A new capital city, New Delhi, was built to the south of the old city during the 1920s. After independence from British rule in 1947, New Delhi was declared its capital and seat of government.

Thus, the city is divided into 2 parts: Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India in the 12th to 19th century. New Delhi on the other hand was created as an imperial city by the British.

Accessibility

By Air: Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is connected to all the important cities of the world with almost all the major international airlines operating out of here. Palam Domestic Airport connects Delhi to the major cities in India. S

By Rail: There are three important Railway Stations in Delhi namely New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazarat Nizamuddin Railway Station. Luxury trains like the Palace-on-Wheels, Fairy Queen, and Royal Orient Express can be taken from New Delhi Cantonment railway station.

By Road: 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.

Getaways
District
Delhi
STD Code
011
Termperature
Summer 25-47°C, Winter 1-25°C
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Capital of India