Delhi

Delhi
Name	Delhi
Settlement type	Capital city and union territory
Coordinates	28, 36, 36, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	India
Established title	Capital of India
Established date	1911
Government type	Union territory
Leader title	Lieutenant Governor
Leader name	Vinai Kumar Saxena
Leader title1	Chief Minister
Leader name1	Arvind Kejriwal
Area total km2	1484
Population total	16,787,941
Population as of	2011
Population density km2	auto
Population metro	31,181,376
Population metro footnotes	(NCR)
Timezone	IST
Utc offset	+5:30
Postal code type	PIN
Postal code	110xxx
Area code	+91 11
Registration plate	DL-xx
Blank name sec1	HDI
Blank info sec1	0.745 (High)
Blank1 name sec1	Official languages
Blank1 info sec1	Hindi, English
Blank2 name sec1	Literacy rate
Blank2 info sec1	86.21%
Website	delhi.gov.in

Delhi. It is the capital city of India and a union territory, formally known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The metropolis, one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, has been the seat of power for numerous empires and kingdoms, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. Today, it serves as the political, cultural, and commercial heart of the nation, housing key national institutions such as the Parliament of India, the Supreme Court of India, and the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

History

The area's history spans millennia, with evidence of settlement from the Indus Valley Civilization period. It rose to prominence as the historic city of Indraprastha, mentioned in the ancient Indian epic. The Tomara dynasty established Lal Kot in the 8th century, which was later captured by the Chahamanas of Shakambhari. The city became a major capital under the Delhi Sultanate, founded after the victories of Muhammad of Ghor and his general Qutb al-Din Aibak, who commenced construction of the Qutb Minar. The succeeding Mughal Empire shaped much of its architectural heritage, with emperors like Humayun—whose tomb is a UNESCO site—Akbar, and Shah Jahan, who built the iconic Red Fort and Jama Masjid. After the 1857 rebellion, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was exiled. The British Raj moved the capital from Kolkata here in 1911, constructing New Delhi, designed by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. It was the site of pivotal events like the trial of the Indian National Army and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

Geography and climate

Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges, it is part of the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain. The region is bordered by the states of Haryana on three sides and Uttar Pradesh to the east. Its topography is largely flat, with the Delhi Ridge, a northern extension of the ancient Aravalli Range, forming a minor rocky prominence. The climate is classified as a humid subtropical type, featuring extremely hot summers, a monsoon season influenced by the Southwest monsoon, and cool winters. It experiences notable weather phenomena like dense fog in winter and the loo winds in summer.

Demographics and culture

It is one of the world's most populous urban agglomerations, with a diverse demographic profile. Major religious groups include Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, and Christians. Languages spoken encompass Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and English. The city is a major cultural hub, hosting festivals like Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, and Durga Puja. It is renowned for its Mughlai cuisine, street food in areas like Chandni Chowk, and performing arts venues such as the National School of Drama and the Siri Fort Auditorium. Important cultural institutions include the National Museum, the India Habitat Centre, and the Lotus Temple.

Government and politics

As a union territory with a special status, it has its own legislative assembly, the Delhi Legislative Assembly, and a council of ministers headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi. However, key areas like land, police, and public order fall under the jurisdiction of the central Government of India, represented by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The city sends seven members to the Lok Sabha and three to the Rajya Sabha. Major political parties active here include the Aam Aadmi Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Indian National Congress. It is also the headquarters of national bodies like the Election Commission of India and the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Economy

It has the largest urban economy in India and is a major financial, IT, and services hub. Key commercial districts include Connaught Place, Nehru Place, and Rajouri Garden. The city hosts the corporate offices of numerous Fortune 500 companies and is a center for telecommunications, media, and tourism. Important wholesale markets operate in Sadar Bazaar and Chandni Chowk. Manufacturing, though historically significant, has declined, but the region remains vital for industries like electronics in Okhla. The Delhi Stock Exchange was one of the country's oldest, though it has since been merged.

Transport

The city is a critical national transport node, served by the Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of South Asia's busiest. The Delhi Junction, also known as Old Delhi railway station, and New Delhi railway station are major hubs on the Indian Railways network. Urban transit is anchored by the extensive Delhi Metro, operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which connects to neighboring cities like Noida and Gurgaon. The city's road network includes national highways like NH 44 and ring roads such as the Inner and Outer Ring Roads. Public bus services are provided by the Delhi Transport Corporation and private operators.

Category:Capitals in Asia Category:Union territories of India