Delhi, the capital of India is the nucleus of the country. An ancient city that finds its mention even in the great Indian Epic of Mahabharata, Delhi is one of the most important metropolitan cities in India. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, the city has been inhabited by people since 6[SUP]th[/SUP] century B.C. It has since ancient times served as the capital of most of the Kingdoms that ruled over India. The city reminds the ancient past while at the same time showcase India's modern future. Basically the city is divided into two parts, the aging old city of Old Delhi, and the organized and well planned New Delhi, which subsist alongside, but gives a feel that both the parts are poles apart.
Geography and Climate
Delhi is located at 28.61°N 77.23°E, and lies in Northern India. It borders the Indian states of Haryana on the north, west and south and Uttar Pradesh (UP) to the east. Also known as The National Capital Territory of India, Delhi spreads over an area of 1,484 km[SUP]2[/SUP] (573 sq mi), of which 783 km[SUP]2 [/SUP](302 sq mi) is designated rural and 700 km[SUP]2[/SUP] (270 sq mi) urban therefore making it the largest city in terms of area in the country. The Delhi ridge which reaches a height of 1043 ft originates from the Aravalli Range in the south and surrounds the West, North East and North West parts of the city. Delhi is lies in India's seismic zone-IV, which makes it vulnerable to earthquakes.
Delhi has an extreme climate which is very cold in winter and terribly hot in summer. The cold season begins in November and is at its peak around the time of the New Year and the Ist half of the January. After the middle of March, the weather begins to turn warm and soon it becomes hot so that from April to June one experiences extreme heat when the temperature climbs to 45oC at times. The monsoon arrives towards the end of June. Delhi as well has rainy winters, which is a blessing for the farmers as it helps in growth of rabi crops. The weather of Delhi is usually dry apart from for 2-3 months of humidity during mid-June to September.
Demographics
As per the 2011 census of 2011, the population of Delhi is 16,314,838 and the number of females per 1000 males is 867. The literacy rate of Delhi is 86.43% and as indicated by the area, Delhi is the largest metropolis and as per the population stats, it holds the second position in the list of largest metropolises in India. In 2004, the birth rate, death rate and infant mortality rate per 1000 population were 20.03, 5.59 and 13.08, respectively. Hinduism is Delhi's majority religion, with approximately 70.7% of Delhi's population. The city has large communities of Muslims (22%), Sikhs (5%), Baha'i (0.1%), Jains (1.1%) and Christians (0.94%). Hindi is the official and widely spoken language in Delhi, followed by Punjabi.
History of Delhi
The city has a rich historical past, which is evident from the presence of a huge number of monuments that depicts the rule of various kingdoms. The historical city of Delhi has witnessed the rule of several kingdoms that ruled over the country and its existence dates back to several thousands of years. Delhi is a city that has been named seven times and has served as the capital of several dynasties. Hastinapur was the first name of Delhi and then got its name as Indraprastha and its relics are found in the Purana Quila of the present city. In the year 736 AD, the city came under the rule of Tomar Dynasty and was renamed as Lal Kot. After the death of the death of Anangpal Tomar II, Prithviraj Chauhan succeeded the throne and he again renamed it as Quila Rai until 1192 AD. After that it was ruled by several dynasties under the name of Dilli or Delhi Sultanate. These dynasties include Slave Dynasty, Khilji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty, Sayyid Dynasty and Lodhi Dynasty. Under these dynasties, Delhi served as the capital. After the downfall of the Lodhi Dynasty, the city came under the rule of the Mughals, who ruled India for about 300 years. During the Mughal rule, the city witnessed a lot of development and became an important city in the Indian History. During the reign of Shah Jahan, several monuments like the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, etc. were built and in 1639, Delhi was renamed as Shahejahanabad. Till 1911, Delhi was not under the British rule and Calcutta served as the capital during that time. However, Delhi was declared as the capital in the 1911 and was the capital until 1947. During this time, the city got its name Delhi. Even after India’s Independence, the city remained the capital of the country.
Culture of Delhi
The city of Delhi being the National Capital of India is thronged by people from different parts of the country. A cosmopolitan city, Delhi is a multi-cultured city and being bordered by the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, the lifestyle, food habits and culture is highly influenced by these states. All the major festivals of India are celebrated with great vigor, which include festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Id, Guru Purab, Buddha Purnima and Christmas. The city is the perfect example of Secularism that India boasts of.
Tourist Places in Delhi
Delhi is a metropolitan with outstanding tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a past that goes back to antiquity. A notable feature of the city is the coverage of greenery all over. Delhi is popular among visitors looking for items of handicrafts from all over the country. Delhi offers numerous interesting places and attractions for the visitors. Some of these are:
Transportation
Road
The whole city of Delhi is connected with different means of transportation which are operated by government as well as private operators. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) ply buses from different routes across the city and provides easy access in the city. Besides DTC buses, auto rickshaws and taxi services are as well available, which makes commuting to and from different parts of the city easier.
Metro Train
Delhi Metro, the subway facility was introduced to reduce the traffic level on roads. The subway provides more comfortable and efficient means of transport but the service is limited to key regions only.
Railway
The city has three main railway stations, namely New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, which are well connected by road as well as by metro. Delhi is a major junction in the Indian railway network and is the headquarters of the Northern Railway.
Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport, situated to the southwest of Delhi, is the main gateway for the city's domestic and international civilian air traffic. Several flights connecting to different parts of the country as well as the World operate from IGI Airport. The IGI Airport is situated in Palam, 23 kilometers (14 miles) south of the city. Its international and domestic terminals are 5 kilometers (3 miles) apart, and are connected by shuttle bus.
Geography and Climate
Delhi is located at 28.61°N 77.23°E, and lies in Northern India. It borders the Indian states of Haryana on the north, west and south and Uttar Pradesh (UP) to the east. Also known as The National Capital Territory of India, Delhi spreads over an area of 1,484 km[SUP]2[/SUP] (573 sq mi), of which 783 km[SUP]2 [/SUP](302 sq mi) is designated rural and 700 km[SUP]2[/SUP] (270 sq mi) urban therefore making it the largest city in terms of area in the country. The Delhi ridge which reaches a height of 1043 ft originates from the Aravalli Range in the south and surrounds the West, North East and North West parts of the city. Delhi is lies in India's seismic zone-IV, which makes it vulnerable to earthquakes.
Delhi has an extreme climate which is very cold in winter and terribly hot in summer. The cold season begins in November and is at its peak around the time of the New Year and the Ist half of the January. After the middle of March, the weather begins to turn warm and soon it becomes hot so that from April to June one experiences extreme heat when the temperature climbs to 45oC at times. The monsoon arrives towards the end of June. Delhi as well has rainy winters, which is a blessing for the farmers as it helps in growth of rabi crops. The weather of Delhi is usually dry apart from for 2-3 months of humidity during mid-June to September.
Demographics
As per the 2011 census of 2011, the population of Delhi is 16,314,838 and the number of females per 1000 males is 867. The literacy rate of Delhi is 86.43% and as indicated by the area, Delhi is the largest metropolis and as per the population stats, it holds the second position in the list of largest metropolises in India. In 2004, the birth rate, death rate and infant mortality rate per 1000 population were 20.03, 5.59 and 13.08, respectively. Hinduism is Delhi's majority religion, with approximately 70.7% of Delhi's population. The city has large communities of Muslims (22%), Sikhs (5%), Baha'i (0.1%), Jains (1.1%) and Christians (0.94%). Hindi is the official and widely spoken language in Delhi, followed by Punjabi.
History of Delhi
The city has a rich historical past, which is evident from the presence of a huge number of monuments that depicts the rule of various kingdoms. The historical city of Delhi has witnessed the rule of several kingdoms that ruled over the country and its existence dates back to several thousands of years. Delhi is a city that has been named seven times and has served as the capital of several dynasties. Hastinapur was the first name of Delhi and then got its name as Indraprastha and its relics are found in the Purana Quila of the present city. In the year 736 AD, the city came under the rule of Tomar Dynasty and was renamed as Lal Kot. After the death of the death of Anangpal Tomar II, Prithviraj Chauhan succeeded the throne and he again renamed it as Quila Rai until 1192 AD. After that it was ruled by several dynasties under the name of Dilli or Delhi Sultanate. These dynasties include Slave Dynasty, Khilji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty, Sayyid Dynasty and Lodhi Dynasty. Under these dynasties, Delhi served as the capital. After the downfall of the Lodhi Dynasty, the city came under the rule of the Mughals, who ruled India for about 300 years. During the Mughal rule, the city witnessed a lot of development and became an important city in the Indian History. During the reign of Shah Jahan, several monuments like the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, etc. were built and in 1639, Delhi was renamed as Shahejahanabad. Till 1911, Delhi was not under the British rule and Calcutta served as the capital during that time. However, Delhi was declared as the capital in the 1911 and was the capital until 1947. During this time, the city got its name Delhi. Even after India’s Independence, the city remained the capital of the country.
Culture of Delhi
The city of Delhi being the National Capital of India is thronged by people from different parts of the country. A cosmopolitan city, Delhi is a multi-cultured city and being bordered by the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, the lifestyle, food habits and culture is highly influenced by these states. All the major festivals of India are celebrated with great vigor, which include festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Id, Guru Purab, Buddha Purnima and Christmas. The city is the perfect example of Secularism that India boasts of.
Tourist Places in Delhi
Delhi is a metropolitan with outstanding tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a past that goes back to antiquity. A notable feature of the city is the coverage of greenery all over. Delhi is popular among visitors looking for items of handicrafts from all over the country. Delhi offers numerous interesting places and attractions for the visitors. Some of these are:
- Akshardham Temple
- Azad Hind Gram
- Bahai Temple
- Birla Mandir
- Dilli Haat
- Garden of Five Senses
- Humayun's Tomb
- India Gate
- Jama Masjid
- Jantar Mantar
- Lodi Tomb
- Parliment House
- Purana Quila
- Qutab Minar
- Safdarjang Tomb
- Red Fort
Transportation
Road
The whole city of Delhi is connected with different means of transportation which are operated by government as well as private operators. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) ply buses from different routes across the city and provides easy access in the city. Besides DTC buses, auto rickshaws and taxi services are as well available, which makes commuting to and from different parts of the city easier.
Metro Train
Delhi Metro, the subway facility was introduced to reduce the traffic level on roads. The subway provides more comfortable and efficient means of transport but the service is limited to key regions only.
Railway
The city has three main railway stations, namely New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, which are well connected by road as well as by metro. Delhi is a major junction in the Indian railway network and is the headquarters of the Northern Railway.
Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport, situated to the southwest of Delhi, is the main gateway for the city's domestic and international civilian air traffic. Several flights connecting to different parts of the country as well as the World operate from IGI Airport. The IGI Airport is situated in Palam, 23 kilometers (14 miles) south of the city. Its international and domestic terminals are 5 kilometers (3 miles) apart, and are connected by shuttle bus.
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