State of India - Chandigarh

Area: 114 sq. km

Population: 7.5 lakh

Capital Of City: Chandigarh

Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, English

How You Know: Le Corbusier was the professional name of Charles Édouard Jeanneret (1887-1965), French architect, painter and writer, who played a major role in the development of modern architecture. Le Corbusier was actually his mother's maiden name. Born on October 6, 1887, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, he received an early art education there, then studied modern building construction under Auguste Perret in Paris. In his theories on architecture, Corbusier maintained that the ideal house was "a machine for living". His work did much to bring about general acceptance of the now-common international style of low-lying, unadorned buildings with simplicity of form.

History: Chandigarh was constituted as a Union Territory on 1st November 1966. It is bounded on the north and west by Punjab and on the east and south by Haryana. Even though the city serves as the capital of both these states, it is administered by the Union Government. In the past couple of years though, there has been talk about including it in Punjab on the basis of language.After the partition of India, Lahore, the capital of Punjab was given to Pakistan leaving the Indian part of Punjab without a capital. The loss of Lahore was keenly felt and in March 1948, the Government of Punjab in consultation with the Government of India, approved a 114.59 sq. km tract of land at the foot of the Shivalik Hills in Ropar district as the site of the new capital. The city is a creation of world famous French architect, Le Corbusier. Corbusier designed a very modern city with 47 sectors (except the unlucky number 13). Each sector is self-complete with shopping centers and other amenities. Buildings and gardens like The Secretariat, Vidhan Sabha, The Museum, Gulab Bag, Shanti Kunj, Moonlight Garden, Bougain Villea Garden are a fine specimen of modern art. The roads are wide and well laid out making this city a pleasure to drive in.Among the tourist spots in the city is the famous Rock Garden of Nek Chand. Spread over six acres and filled with sculptures made of multicoloured pieces of useless stones, ceramics and other throwaway objects, the Rock garden is a special favorite with children. Asia's largest rose garden Zakir Gulab Bag is in Sector 16 of Chandigarh. Spread over 30 acres the Zakir Bagh has over 50,000 rose-trees of 1600 species. The man made Sukhna Lake is another favorite with visitors. The lake is a venue for boating, sailing and rowing. There is also a small toy train in which kids can enjoy a ride.