Delhi

• Capital: New Delhi
• Famous for/as: Historical
• Population: 1,38,50,507
• Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Bahai Faith
• Area: 1,483 sq km
• Altitude: 293 m
• Language: Hindi, English, Punjabi, Urdu
• Best Season: October-March
• Weather: Summers: 25° - 47°C Winters: 2° - 22°C

Places to See Around

Hauz-i-Shamsi National Railway Museum International Doll's Museum Lodhi Garden Khirki Mosque Janpath Market Air Force Museum National Museum of India Nilli Masjid Cathedral Church of the Redemption Moth Ki Masjid Chandni Chowk Sher Shah Suri's gate Humayun's Tomb Buddha Jayanti Park Ashokan Pillar Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid Teen Murti Bhawan (Nehru Memorial Museum) Gateways of Lal koth Rajpath

Delhi is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium. Many a times the city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt here. Interestingly, a number of Delhi's rulers played a dual role, first as destroyers and then as creators.

The city's importance lies not just in its past glory as the seat of empires and magnificent monuments, but also in the rich and diverse cultures. No wonder chroniclers of Delhi culture from Chand Bardai and Amir Khusro to present days writers - have never been at a loss for topics. In Delhi, you will discover that the city is sprinkled with dazzling gems: captivating ancient monuments, fascinating museums and art galleries, architectural wonders, a vivacious performing arts scene, fabulous eating places and bustling markets.

Delhi has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC. Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, sacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and the modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region. Delhi is believed to have been the site of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas during the Mahabharata. Delhi re-emerged as a major political, cultural and commercial city along the trade routes between northwest India and the Gangetic plain during the Delhi sultanates.