State of India - Delhi

Area: 1,483 sq km

Population: 94,20,644

Capital Of City: Delhi

Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu

History: New Delhi, the capital of India, located as they say in the heart of India has always occupied an important position in the country's history. Geographically, Delhi is surrounded by Haryana on all sides except in the east where it shares a boundary with Uttar Pradesh.Delhi's history dates back to the first millennium B.C., when it was known as Indraprastha. The city has been built eight times to serve as the capital of a new ruler often in a new location. The Tomar Rajputs built Lal Kot, the core of the first of Delhi's seven cities. Later Qutub-ud-Din-Aibak made Delhi his capital in 1206, and built Quwwat ul Islam Mosque, which is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. He also built the Qutab Minar, one of Delhi's great landmarks. Around 1311, Allaudin Khilji established Siri, the second city, north east of the Qila, and dug a vast reservoir at Hauz Khas. The Tughlaqs who ruled the city after the Khiljis, built the third city of Tughlaqabad to the extreme south of Delhi. The fourth city of Jahanpanah has practically disappeared now, but the fifth city Firoz Shah Kotla rises off Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and is famous for its Ashokan pillar. When the Mughals replaced the Tughlaq dynasty Humayun, constructed a new capital in Delhi, on the banks of the river Yamuna, and called it Din Panah. Shah Jahan created Shahjahanabad along the river, as the well - planned, seventh township of Delhi. It remained the Mughal capital until 1857. The monument that remains as a proud reminder of their glorious rule is the majestic Red Fort. Delhi came under British rule after 1857, and in 1911 they decided to make it their capital. The area south of Shahjahanabad, was chosen as the site for the imperial capital, and was built on a regal scale by January 1931. Lutyens and Baker designed much of the architecture along the stretch between India Gate at one end, and Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's residence) at the other; with the buildings of North and South Block (where many government offices are) and the Parliament House and Connaught Place nearby. After independence Delhi was made a Union Territory in 1956 but the 69th Constitutional amendment gave Delhi a unique status of partial statehood with a Legislative Assembly in 1991. The Red fort The Red Fort The Red Fort with red sandstone walls, popularly known as the Lal Qila extends for two kms and varies in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side. Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. He was deposed and imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb, before he could move his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad in Delhi. Entry to the fort is Rs 0.50; free on Friday RajGhat The Samadhi or place where the ashes of the Father of the Nation are buried at the Raj Ghat. The Samadhi of Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi are also nearby. Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament house These historic building located near Connaught Place are part of the Lutyens Delhi. The Rashtrapati Bhavan serves as the residence of the President of India while the circular Parliament House houses the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha the two chambers of the Indian Parliament. Jantar Mantar One of the six astronomical observatories built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th century. Qutab Minar India Gate Medieval India's tallest monument the Qutub Minar was built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1199 and completed by his successors. Nearby stands an iron pillar dating back to Ashokan times. The center of Lutyens plan for Delhi the India Gate was originally a war memorial built during the time of the British to honour the soldiers killed during the World War I and the Afghan War. Bahai House of Worship This lotus shaped monument located near the commercial center of Nehru Place reminds one of the Sydney Opera house. The structure is made of pure white marble in the shape of a half opened lotus and surrounded by well kept lawns. For children the city has special attractions like the Rail Transport Museum which has a special toy train to ride on, the International Dolls Museum which houses thousands of dolls from around the world, Appu Ghar with its many joy rides and water park, the children's park near India gate with its fun rides and mini aquarium, the city zoo and the crafts museum. Being the largest commercial center in northern India Delhi's shopping centers are very popular with tourists. Places like Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi), Janpath, Connaught Place, Palika Bazar, Ajmal Khan Market, South Extension, Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas, Vasant Vihar cater to shoppers from all walks of life. Festivals Being a cosmopolitan city, all major festivals of India are celebrated here. Moreover, some tourism festivals have become regular annual events of Delhi. The International Kite-flying Festival, Rose show, Delhi Flower Show, Roshnara Festival, Phool Walon ke Sair, Garden Tourism and Mango Festival are some of the city centric festivals organized every year. In addition the national celebration of the Republic Day on 26th January and the Independence Day on the 15th August are held in Delhi.