Attractions

Guide

Delhi is not just the capital of India, but also one of the largest and oldest cities in the world. It is located in the north of the country, on the banks of the Jamna (Yamuna) River. Delhi has a very well developed infrastructure, it is the technical and scientific center of the country.

The city was formed 5 thousand years ago - the first mention of it can be found in the epic Mahabharata. It was then called Indraprastha. The successful geographical position of Delhi allowed it to become a center of trade in Asia in ancient times, since it was on its territory that many trade routes crossed - from Persia, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. Therefore, it is not surprising that so many rulers throughout almost the entire history of the city wanted to get their hands on it. According to legend, it was destroyed 11 times and rose from ruins the same number of times. At one time, Delhi was under the rule of the Maurya and Tomar dynasties, the emperors Humayun and Akbar, Shah Jahan and Nadir Shah.

The city is divided into nine major districts: South, East, North, West, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, Central and New Delhi District.

With such a long and eventful history, Delhi is a real paradise for the inquisitive tourist. It has a huge number of religious, architectural and cultural monuments left behind by numerous peoples who have ever inhabited this territory.

One of the most interesting sights of the city is the India Gate - a monument in memory of the Indian soldiers who died in the Anglo-Afghan wars; Red Fort - a huge fortress built during the time of the Great Mughals; the largest mosque in the country Jama Masjid; amazingly beautiful Lotus Temple; Qutub Minar is a temple complex, which is famous for the world's tallest minaret. In addition, Delhi has a huge number of temples, churches, mosques, museums, galleries and universities.

Delhi is very chaotic and foreign visitors to India are often disoriented or frustrated at the hands of unskilled service or scammers. At the same time, the city has enough qualified service, and the police are taking serious measures to protect tourists.

A striking contrast between the narrow streets of Old Delhi and the colonial mansions of the more modern part of the city - New Delhi, the incessant hum of cars and rickshaws demanding to give way, the incredible queue at the cinemas, the spicy smells of spices wafting through the streets from numerous cafes here and there Indian music sounding from the loudspeakers, crowds in the markets and at the stations make a very strong impression on anyone who is in South Asia for the first time.

Nighttime activity in Delhi is concentrated mainly in five-star hotels, where there are very good restaurants, bars, and clubs open until the early hours of the morning. In Delhi, especially in the city center, it will never be a problem to find a restaurant where you can have a tasty and inexpensive lunch.

In Delhi, on Janpath Street, starting at Connaught Square, you can buy souvenirs from almost all Indian states, although they will cost much more than if you buy them on the spot. However, it will not be possible to travel all over India in one trip anyway.

Delhi is the capital of India, the most mysterious country of the East. The city is located on the banks of the Jumna River, a tributary of the Ganges, in the northern part of India. This is its second largest metropolis, divided administratively in 1947 into Old and New.

Delhi is a cosmopolitan city where different cultures intertwine, shaping its structure in various ways. Hindi is spoken in Delhi, but English and Portuguese are also common. There is a wonderful infrastructure and transport links, information technologies, light, food, ceramics and chemical-pharmaceutical industries are actively developing, and handicrafts are not forgotten.

This city is rich in its history and architecture, it is called the "capital of seven empires". There are 60,000 monuments in Delhi that are of world significance and were built several millennia ago. The history of the city is full of mysteries. Until now, among scientists there is no definite opinion about how many settlements there were in Delhi. It is believed that there were three main centers of settlement, and around at different times - up to 16 settlements and fortifications. Delhi is a real oriental fairy tale waiting for its connoisseurs. You can relax here with a noisy youth company and arriving with your soulmate.

Region	National Capital Region
Population	21.5 million people
	3000 BC
Population density	10 340 people/km2
	Indian rupee, US dollar
Timezone
Postal code
International dialing code
Official site

Climate and weather

The climate of Delhi is tropical monsoonal. Precipitation is uneven, with most falling between June and August. The monsoon season is from June to the end of September. Summer in the city is long and hot. June and May are the hottest months, when the atmosphere is dominated by air masses brought from deserts (average temperature +33.4°C). Due to the proximity of the Himalayas in winter, the city is very foggy, dry and cool weather prevails (the average January temperature is - +14.2 °С). Sometimes there are frosts. The best time to visit is from March to May.

Nature

The city is divided into two parts by a river Jumna. River in the east hindon(a tributary of the Jumna) separates Delhi from the neighboring city Ghaziabad. The city itself is located within Indo-Gandhian Plain which has a very varied landscape. There are fertile flat areas that are used for agriculture, and southern arid hills. From the south to the northwest, Delhi is surrounded by a ridge arc Aravalli. The most prominent in the chain is Delhi Range, whose height is 318 m. All this makes the nature of the city interesting and diverse.

Delhi is a city of gardens and parks, beautiful greenery and exotic birds. Mughal gardens flaunt in the Presidential Palace, jainati buddha park And Nehru park delight the eyes with their beauty throughout the year. And in the summer, the air of Delhi is filled with the wonderful aroma of fragipani flowers.

Attractions

You will find many attractions here: monuments, ruins of Hindu and Muslim temples, mausoleums. Among them stand out in a special way: the Red Fort with a large palace complex left over from the Mughal era, and "Multicolored Palace" rang mahal, bhairon temple, "Old Fortress" Purana Qila, complex Jahaz Mahal, a wonder of the world - a stainless steel column three centuries old, Memorial Jawaharlar Nehru Museum, delhi zoo, memorial Indira Gandhi with "crystal river", the largest open-air theater in India for eight thousand spectators. You can list the sights of Delhi endlessly, but no words can compare with their live view.

Nutrition

Residents of Delhi are very fond of eating away from home. Here you will find restaurants and cafes for every taste even in the most secluded corners of the city. Inexpensive Indian snacks are sold at roadside stalls in the Palika bazaar area, Paharganj and on Janpath Street. You can taste traditional North Indian cuisine in restaurants Geoffries, The Buck Stops Here located in the mall Ansal Plaza, Dhaba, Nirula's(focused on tourists), The Rampur Kitchen. There are also fast food restaurants familiar to Europeans: McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Pizza Express. top of the village- the best of the six restaurants included in the Village Bistro.

In the back streets of Old Delhi you will find Karim, he is known for excellent kebabs. And if you want to dine on the roof, you should visit Parikrama. Good hotels have buffets, coffee houses, restaurants, bakeries, which are open not only for guests. Basically, food establishments are open until eleven, and bars - until midnight.

Accommodation

The number of hotels in the city is not inferior to the number of bars and cafes. Comfortable and comfortable, for every income and taste, they are always happy to meet guests. Among the best hotels - Aman New Delhi, Taj Palace Hotel, The Imperial and The Oberoi New Delhi. It is noteworthy that hotels in Delhi are built no higher than palm trees (up to 9 meters high).

Entertainment and recreation

Delhi has not only sea beaches, for example, by the lake Bhalswa.

Interesting sports clubs in Delhi. Best Western Resort and Country Club in the vicinity of Delhi, in a corner of the Aravali range, is known for the presence of sports facilities and playgrounds for children. Sports clubs Delhi Golf Club, Delhi Polo Club, The Meadows Golf and Country Club are country clubs in cozy places. There are several large stadiums in Delhi where international competitions are held. Attractions interesting to visit Bal Bhavan And State Children's Museum and Aquarium (National Children's Museum and Aquarium), which are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 with an hour break for lunch. And Shankar International Puppet Museum (Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg), Zoological garden and fairground Appu Ghar square.

Every Saturday and Thursday, the Annabelles disco will open its doors for you. Popular nightclubs Royale Mirage, Dublin, Capitol, SSteel, Elevate, Djinns, DV8, Ghungroo, My Kind of Place— in each of them a vibrant nightlife is in full swing.

Purchases

In addition to countless sights, Delhi offers excellent shopping opportunities. You can buy cheap items made of silver, gold, precious stones, as well as carpets, clothes, silk, leather, antiques. Of the shops first worth a visit Yashwant Place- the largest center of trade. Here you will find inexpensive jewelry and fur coats (a mink coat can cost from $300, and other furs are even cheaper). Everything here is really real and inexpensive, but you can also bargain for a big discount. IN Dilli Khat you will find branded silk products and much more. Women will be interested in visiting Santushti, which sells a lot of women's goods. A huge area surrounded by a shopping center is South Extension 1 & 2. There is absolutely everything here: from music discs to gold jewelry. If you want to buy something ethnic, visit Central Cottage Emporium. IN The Village you will find many souvenirs.

But it is even more interesting to go to the folk craft market Dilli Hat. Main Bazaar is the main bazaar in the city. IN Chandni Chowk a large selection of clothes, fabrics, silver. On Kinari Bazaar you can buy wedding red saris, and see the whole range of Indian spices at Khari Baoli. Payment here is preferred in cash.

Prices are indicated in Indian rupees, but there are also price tags with a dollar equivalent. 1 $ = 51 rupees. Shops open from 10:00 to 17:00 - 19:00, and markets from 10:00 to 17:00. Most markets are closed on Monday.

Transport

Delhi has a well-developed transport network. There are three intercity bus stations, two airports, three railway stations. Urban transport includes the metro network, buses and local trains.

The best transport to get around Delhi is the metro. It works from 6 to 11 pm, with intervals from 3 to 12 minutes. Payment depends on the length of the trip. The minimum is $0.16, the maximum is $0.59. Passage on tokens or travel cards. It is important that the token is needed not only to enter the subway, but also to exit. For the loss of a token, the fine is $3.9.

For tourists there is Tourist Card(tourist pass). In addition, there are special carriages for women in the subway, where men cannot enter. It is better not to rent a car, because the roads in Delhi are very narrow, and there may be no markings on the roads, besides, rush hour there is almost around the clock. Not only cars, motorcycles and buses drive along the roads, but also carts pulled by oxen. Driving in India is on the left side. Like everywhere else, there are taxis in Delhi.

Connection

You can access the Internet in any Internet cafe or directly from the hotel room, if such a service is provided. The mobile phone will work with international roaming. In some mountainous areas there is no mobile connection.

Safety

Religiosity is very developed in India, so you need to be careful not to offend the religious feelings of the Hindus. Be especially careful when dealing with sadhus. You can not wear too open clothes, communicate very restrained and politely, regardless of the status of the interlocutor. Take off your shoes when visiting temples. All religious buildings must be bypassed only in a clockwise direction. Remember that not all temples are open to tourists.

Although the city has a low crime rate, safety is always worth remembering.

If you are going to the country for a long time, you should consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid. It should be remembered that there is no veterinary control of dairy and meat products in India. Don't drink tap water or pet stray animals. Eat only freshly prepared food.

Business climate

The business climate in the city is good. Delhi is an emerging city that is continuously attracting investors. Numerous international exhibitions, sales, conferences, shows are held there.

Real estate

In Delhi you will find accommodation for every taste. The price of real estate here depends on its location - the area and proximity to the center. Also, the cost determines the total area of ​​​​the premises, the number of bedrooms, the presence of a bathroom. If you want to buy a property in Delhi, you will have to pay, in addition to the indicated price, another 3.5% land tax, 2% to the notary for legal registration and 3% to the brokerage firm.

The cost of an average apartment in New Delhi is about 2-3 million rupees (50-75 thousand dollars), and in the suburbs it is 10-15 thousand dollars cheaper. You can buy, rent an apartment or a house located closer to the city center. The rental rate is approximately the same - 350-400 rupees / sq. m. m (10-11.5 $./sq. m). It happens that you have to pay extra for the class of housing: convenient layout, high-quality repairs, and so on.

Always keep a close eye on your belongings. Take care of your passport and money. We advise you to make copies of the first page of the passport, the page with the visa and a copy of the ticket in advance. It is worth exchanging currency only in banks, having with you a declaration on the import of currency, which allows you to reverse the exchange when you leave the country.

Delhi (India) is a vibrant city that attracts travelers with the opportunity to experience many cultures at once. A colorful corner of the country does not go unnoticed by tourists.

To answer the question, where is Delhi, remember that India is divided into states. The capital is located between Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. This is the north of the state.

The city is divided in half by the Jumna River. Another river flows in the same area, but you will not see it in the capital. This is a kind of border separating Delhi from Ghaziabad (neighboring city).

The warmest months are May and June. Winter is dry, cool, but frosts are rare. But fogs are a constant phenomenon for the capital of India.

The settlement was founded 5000 years ago. It is an ancient city with a rich history. It was conquered many times, and each time destroyed, leaving ruins. Archaeological finds indicate that 1000 years BC. e. the legendary Yudhishtira lived here.

For the first time, the status of the capital acquired in the 1st century AD. At that time, the settlement belonged to the Tomar family. Later, the Muslims conquered the city and founded the Sultanate. The city was torn off the face of the earth, then to rebuild. But the monuments of that period have been preserved. In the 14th century, Delhi suffered from the raids of nomads. Timur took out building material to Samarkand on 90 elephants. This is evidenced by written sources.

It was also under the rule of the British. But he did not have in those days such a value as Bombay. 1911 was marked by the founding of a new city - New Delhi. This part was distinguished by the English traditions that prevailed in architecture. Since that time, the capital began to flourish and develop. As a result, the policy is divided into the old, historical part, with centuries-old monuments, and the new, with modern architecture.

Delhi is the capital of India in recent times. The status of the settlement received only in 1931. The event is associated with the formation of New Delhi.

1. More than 16 million people live here. The city is in third place in the world in terms of population.
2. Delhi was formed as a result of the merger of 7 cities that were founded on this place at different times.
3. There are more than 60 thousand monuments, which are considered the most valuable objects in the world.
4. This is a city of contrasts. Perhaps nowhere else in the world you will meet hermit monks and representatives of informal culture walking alongside.
5. Wealth and poverty go hand in hand in Delhi. This is clearly visible.

City population

The populous metropolis was formed as a result of the merger of different cultures. Therefore, it will be possible to find representatives of many nationalities here.

Number and density

The people of Delhi are diverse. About 17 million people live in the agglomeration, in the capital itself the number is estimated at 11 million inhabitants. People come here to work, so the number is increasing every day. The density is more than 11 thousand people per square kilometer.

Language

The inhabitants speak Hindustani (a mixture of Hindi and Urdu), but it is not used in writing. All residents speak English. In this language, negotiations are conducted, classes at school, agreements are signed, literature is published. It will be easy for a tourist who speaks English to communicate here. Delhi people understand English from the cradle, although they do not recognize it as their native language.

Religion

Basically, all residents are Hindus (82%). About 12% of the townspeople are Muslims. The percentage of Christians is insignificant - not even one percent. There are also representatives of other faiths, but they are just as few.

Administrative division

Divided into 9 districts. Each district, in turn, consists of three districts. This must be taken into account when visiting the city.

1. Tourists will be interested in the Old Town. There are a lot of sights preserved from ancient times. The monuments are under the protection of UNESCO.
2. Also attractive is New Delhi with Akshardham, temples, gardens and cultural institutions.
3. People come to Paharganj for shopping. This is a shopping area. There is an incredible number of shops and shops. There are also budget hotels and hostels in the area.

New-Delhi
Paharganj

Economy

It is the business and financial center of the state. People work in the service industry. Developed construction and industry.

Leading industries include:

• finance;
• information Technology;
• tourism;
• telecommunications.

Note that the industry is developing at an accelerated pace. They produce mainly consumer goods.

Science and education

School education is free. Going to school is not only a right, but also a duty for children up to 15 years of age. Those who wish enter universities and specialized colleges. In total, there are 165 colleges and 14 universities in the capital.

It is considered the city of science. It occupies a leading position in the field of information technology and telecommunications. Now attention began to be paid to such a science as natural science. 30% of the total number of IT specialists work in Delhi. This allows the development and improvement of new technologies. The city is important for the state.

culture

This is an unusual policy, characterized by a mixture of many cultures. Traditions combine Hindu and Muslim customs. They love holidays here and organize them on a grand scale. Especially large-scale events such as Republic Day and Independence Day are held.

Annual religious festivals are organized. This is a vivid sight. Guests come from all over the world. Let's highlight the main ones:

• Diwali;
• Mahavira Jayanti;
• Durga Puja;
• Vasanta-panchami;
• Eid al Adha.

Qutb festival became an event of world significance. Of interest are the kite-flying events and the Mango Festival.

Also called the book capital. A big fair is being organized. 23 countries of the world take part. National dishes, bazaars, street performances - this is all that a tourist will get to know in order to better learn about the culture of the capital.

Architecture

It has become the center of tourism in the state for a reason. The centuries-old architecture of the old part is recognized as a world heritage. People come from all over the world to admire the monuments. The buildings of the Mongolian period (mosques, forts) have been preserved.

New Delhi is the modern part. Designed by Edwin Lutyens. Government and national buildings are represented in the area.

We note the significant architectural monuments that guests get acquainted with:

• Lotus Temple;
• gate of India;
• Humayun's tomb
• Temple of Lakshmi Narayan.

This is not a complete list of monuments; It will take time to see the sights.

Ecological state

Like any large policy, the capital does not boast of a favorable environmental situation. Deforestation, the development of industry and the transport system have led to catastrophic environmental pollution. Ecologists of the world do not cease to sound the alarm. The authorities have repeatedly closed schools in areas with unfavorable conditions. New Delhi is particularly affected. Air pollution exceeds the norm by 16 times.

Transport system

The city of Delhi has a developed transport system. Allocate:

• metro;
• buses;
• cycle rickshaws;
• autorickshaws.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city and take a ride on an auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk). But traveling for a long time in a wagon is not very comfortable.

Communication and Internet

In hotels, guests are offered to use free internet. Remember that outside the capital you will find yourself in roaming.

How to relax?

The trip will be favorable if you use the offers of tour operators. Managers will select profitable offers for booking hotels in areas with favorable environmental conditions. The city is huge and difficult to navigate. It is better to ask a guide for help. The sightseeing program will allow you to get an idea of ​​the metropolis and see the main attractions.

Sightseeing

The capital of India is full of monuments. Tourists are attracted by grandiose buildings, majestic temples, gardens and cultural institutions of the capital. If you are traveling on your own, head to the Old Town. This is the historical part of the capital. Centuries-old buildings are located here.

View:

1. Red Fort. A complex preserved from the Mongolian period. Inspection will take time, the territory is impressive. The composition includes palaces, baths, gardens. To get there, use the subway.
2. Mosque Jama Mashid. Active object. The largest Muslim building in the country. Located near the previous attraction.
3. Kashmir Gate. This is the old entrance to the city. Museum object.
4. The Spice Market is the largest bazaar in Asia. The bazaar is more than 4 centuries old. Appeared during the time of the Mongols. A colorful place.

Jama Mashid Mosque

In the modern part, pay attention to government buildings (President's Palace). Also here are interesting sights:

• gateway to India;
• mausoleums;
• temples.

Visit the Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret.

Qutub Minar Presidential Palace

Entertainment

For entertainment, head to New Delhi. Fans of outdoor activities will enjoy the famous golf clubs. Here you will find swimming pools, and bars, and parks.

Adventure Island is a famous water park, the largest in the country. Suitable for family holidays. Don't miss the Delhi Zoo. This is the best zoological garden in Asia.

Tourists do not miss the chance to go to conquer the peaks of the Himalayas. Special excursion programs are organized.

Clubs and bars await visitors at night. The establishments are equipped with hotels. Lithium and Privee are popular. Tourists speak flatteringly about Blues and Seabo bars. There is entertainment for every guest in the Indian capital.

shopping

Polis will appeal to shopaholics. Basically, tourists go to the Main Bazaar, but there are many other shopping centers in the capital. Note:

• DLF Courtyard;
• Select Citywalk;
• Pacific Mall;
• Ambiance Mall;
• DLF Promenade;
• DLF Emporio.

These are the largest centers - you can buy anything you want. Arranged in groups, so spend the day browsing the stalls and moving from one outlet to another. The centers have cafes where you can try national cuisine and dishes from other countries.

Markets open on weekends. It is customary to bargain here. It is possible to bring down the price by 2-3 times. They pay only in local currency, dollars and euros will not be accepted. Janpath is notable. It will turn out to buy Tibetan goods and souvenirs.

Russian-speaking travelers are attracted by Yashwant Place. Buy jewelry, textiles, leather, souvenirs. Feature - sellers speak Russian. In stores, payment by card is possible.

National musical instruments, saris, hats, sweets, and jewelry are brought as souvenirs.

Where to stay?

There are first-class hotels, hotels and hostels in the capital. It is possible to rent private apartments or flats. It is better to do this in advance, online. Then there will be no problems with where to spend the night. Managers will recommend ecologically clean areas and budget options, taking into account the preferences of the tourist.

Hotels enjoy a reputation:

• Crown Plaza;
• Eros.

Room rates start at $120 per night. Budget options, such as Arit or Clark, will cost less - it will take from $ 40.

Traveling to the Indian capital is a suitable option for those who want to get new experiences. Vivid emotions are provided to travelers. Colorful festivals, amazing monuments will remain in memory for a long time. This is the corner of the planet where you want to return again. Delhi will allow you to get a complete picture of the origin and culture of the country.

DELHI, the capital of India, the administrative status is the National Capital District of Delhi. Area 1484 km 2 ; population 16,314.8 thousand people (2011, census; Muslims - 10%, Sikhs - 5%), including urban 11,007.8 thousand people; 2nd largest city in the country after Mumbai. Within the borders of D., to the south of Old Delhi (Shahjahana-bad), is New Delhi (New Delhi; area 42.7 km 2, population 295 thousand people, 2011)– the official capital of the country, the place of concentration of all the highest organs of state power.It is located in the north of India, in the central part of the Indo-Gangetic plain (the height of the central part of the city is 300 m), on the Jumna River (Ganges river basin), at the confluence of the Najafgarh canal; in the east it borders with the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the south, west and north - with the state of Haryana. Together with numerous suburbs [in the state of Uttar Pradesh - Ghaziabad in the east, Noida (Noida) and Greater Noida in the southeast; in the state of Haryana - Faridabad in the south, Gurgaon in the southwest, Bahadurgarh and Jajar in the west, Rohtak in the northwest, Sonipat in the north] forms an agglomeration with an area of ​​46.2 thousand km 2 and a population of approx. 21.8 million people (2011). One of the largest transportation hubs in India. The Delhi-Mumbai national highways originate here (expressway on the Delhi-Gurgaon section; part of the Atari-Delhi-Calcutta-Petrapol highway), Delhi-Calcutta (expressway on the Delhi-Noida-Agra section; both form the frame of the "Golden Quadrangle" of India), Delhi - Lucknow, Delhi - Fazilka (border with Pakistan), Delhi - Himalayas (border with China). Internal and external ring roads have been built. The country's largest passenger bus system (includes a rapid transit bus system). 7 railroads converge in D. lines; within the city - railway. ring (used including for passenger traffic); there are several large railroads. stations. Suburban railway system messages. Indira Gandhi International Airport (former Palam, built during World War II; passenger traffic since 1962; modern name since 1986; in the southwestern part of the National Capital District of Delhi; 40.9 million passengers in 2015). Safdarjung Airport (1929; main until 1962; closed as a passenger airport in 2002; in the southern part of New Delhi; now used as a training and as a government helipad). Metropolitan (2002; 6 lines, 146 stations in 2015).

It is believed that D. grew up on the site of a settlement founded in the first centuries of the new era on the ruins of an ancient Indian city. Indraprastha. This settlement was eventually called Dhillika, or Dilli (Delhi). From the 8th c. D. played an important role in the internecine struggle of the Rajput dynasties, primarily the Tomars and Chauhans. In 1206, after the conquest of Northern India by the Turkic-Afghan troops of Mohammed Guri, the capital Delhi Sultanate. In the 13th-18th centuries. a major trade and craft center of Northern India. In con. In the 14th century, after the invasion of Timur's troops into the sultanate, the capital was moved to Agra. However, the first Mughal ruler Babur returned D. to its original status. From 1526 D. - the capital Mughal Empire. Under Akbar and Jahangir, the capital of the empire was transferred from D. to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra, but Shah Jahan again proclaimed D. the capital. After the collapse of the Mughal state in the 2nd quarter. 18th century D. was subjected to raids by the Marathas and the invasion of the troops of Nadir Shah. In 1803 captured by the British; until 1858 it remained the residence of the Mughal emperors who had lost real power. In 1857–59 he was one of the centers Indian popular uprising. In 1911, the capital of British India was moved from Calcutta to Delhi (now Old Delhi), and New Delhi began to be built. After India won independence (1947), the importance of India as an administrative, political, economic, and cultural center steadily increased.

The city is famous for its preserved historical and architectural monuments. From the 12th century it became the center of the formation of the Indo-Muslim art of India with new types of portal-dome architecture. On the site of the Hindu fortress of the 10th century. the city of Lal-Kot was created (on the southern outskirts of modern D.), in which the monuments included in the list have been preservedworld heritage: a stainless iron column (beginning of the 5th century), the Kuvvat-ul-Islam mosque (built from the stones of Hindu temples of the 7th–11th centuries in 1193–98), the Qutb-Minar minaret (beginning of the 13th century), the Alai- Darvaza (1311, openwork carving); as well as heavy early mausoleums resembling fortresses (Iltutmysh mausoleum, after 1235). New residences of rulers were erected near Lal-Kot: Siri (built from 1303), Tughlaqabad (from 1321; the mausoleum of Ghiyas al-Din Tughlaq, 1325), Jahanpanakh (14th century), and others. i'm gender. 14th century; the buildings are built of rubble stone and are almost devoid of decoration (the ruins of the city of Firozabad, 1351–88; the tombs of the rulers from the Lodi dynasty, 1451–1526). AtMughalsin the architecture of palaces and places of worship built of red sandstone with marble inlays, brilliance and decorativeness intensified (Kilai-Kuhna Mosque in the palace and fortress ensemble of Purana-Kila, 1541; Humayun's mausoleum, 1562–76, included in the World Heritage List). The heyday of Mughal architecture in Old Delhi falls on the 2nd quarter. - ser. 17th century: a huge palace and fortress ensemble of Lal-Kila (“Red Fort”, 1639-48; it includes the archaeological museum and the Indian War Memorial), including the palaces of Rang Mahal, Diwani-Am, Divani-Khas (1627-58 ), so-called. Pearl Mosque (1662); dominating in the panorama of Old Delhi is the 3-domed Cathedral Mosque (Jami Masjid) (1644–58). Old Delhi is still a traditional oriental city, full of narrow streets and shopping arcades. New Delhi with a multi-centric layout and wide streets was built in 1911–31 (under the direction of architects E. Lutyens and H. Baker: an ensemble of government buildings, the All India War Memorial Gateway of India, 1931; Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 1933–39) and actively developed: Rej Ghat memorial park with cremation sites of M. K. Gandhi (1948), I. Gandhi (1984) and R. Gandhi (1991); buildings of the Embassy of Belgium (1983, architect S. Gujral), the National Institute of Immunology (1990, architect R. Reval); Baha'i Lotus Temple (1980–86, architect F. Sahba).

The largest scientific and educational center of the country. Indian National Academies: Sciences (originated in 1935 as the National Institute of Sciences of India; modern name since 1970), Music, Dance and Drama (AcademySangeet Natak; 1952), Arts (Academy"Lalit Kala"; 1954, officially opened in 1957) and literature (Academy"Sahitya"; 1954 . Indian Council for Social Research (1969), Indian Council for Historical Research (1972). National Physical Laboratory (1950), Center for the Study of Laser Technology (1950), Defense Research and Development Organization (1958; both under the Ministry of Defense of India), Center for Biochemical Technology (1966), Center for the Development of Telematics (1984), Indian Spinal Injury Center ( 1997); Institute of Pulmonology and Tuberculosis "Rajan Babu" (1935), All India institute medical sciences (1956), institute physiology and related sciences of the Ministry of Defense (1962; research in the field of military physiology and neurology), defense research and analysis (1965; research and training in the field of international relations, strategy and security), National institute Urban Planning (1976), National institute Immunology (1981), Institute of Liver and Bile Sciences (established in 2010 as a clinical hospital; implements educational programs); Central Forensic Laboratory (one of 4 in India), andamer research laboratoryIkan company IBM (1998; one of the 8 largest laboratories of the company in the world), etc.Among the institutions that simultaneously carry out research and educational activities are the following universities: the National Islamic (1920), D. (has a history of 3 colleges; 1922; one of the largest in the country; there are 84 colleges in its structure), D. Technological (1941 ), named after J. Nehru (1969); National Academies: Medical Sciences (1961), Engineering (1987), Agricultural (1990); Institutes: Agricultural Research (1905), Indian Technological (1961), Pharmaceutical Sciences and D. Research (1964), Indian Mass Communications (1965), National Fashion (1986). Academy of Music (2000); School of Music D. (1966; teaching Western classical music). Numerous colleges. D. Public Library (1951; St. 1.8 million items; with 35 branches). The National Archives of India (originated in 1891 in Calcutta; in D. since 1911).

National Museum (1949; over 200 thousand exhibits). National Museums: Crafts and Handlooms (1956), Natural History (1978), Railway (1977); the National (Memorial) Museum of M. K. Gandhi (founded in Mumbai in the late 1940s; in D. since 1951; officially opened in 1961; with a library); National Science Center (National Science Museum; 1992). National Gallery of Modern Art (1954; over 14 thousand exhibits). International Museums: Dolls (1965) and Toilets (1992). The Teen Murti Bhavan complex, which includes the J. Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (1964), the J. Nehru Memorial Foundation (1964), the Center for Contemporary Studies (2004) and the Planetarium (1984). Other museums: Parliament (originally opened in 1989; reopened in a new building in 2002; modern interactive in 2006), "Sanskriti" (1990; consists of 3 museums: art "Everyday Art", tribal art "Terracotta" and textiles), multimedia "Eternal Gandhi" (2005; in the building "Gandhi Smriti", the former "House of Birla", where he spent his last days and on January 30, 1948 was killed by M. K. Gandhi), Indian Air Force (based on the Indian Air Force "Palam"). Ghalib Institute (1969; named after the Indian poet M. Ghalib; it includes the museum of the poet, a library, an art gallery and a concert hall " Ghalib auditorium"). Concert Hall "Kamani Auditorium" (1971; theatrical, dance and musical performances). Chamber theater "Akshara" (1972). Festivals are held annually in Dagestan: the cultural Phool Walon Ki Sair (since 1812) and Diwali, the musical Qutub, the religious Durga Puja, Mahavir Jayanti, Maha Shivaratri, and Krishna Janmashtami, and dr. Zoo (1959). City parks: M. K. Gandhi (1961), Buddhas (1964), J. Nehru (1969), "Hills of Delhi" (1993; "green lungs" of the city), "Garden of Five Senses" (2003), etc.

D. - organizer of numerous international sports competitions and events (1951 - 1st Asian Games; 1982 - 9th Asian Games; 1989 - Asian Championship in Athletics; 2010 - Commonwealth Games; 2010 - World Championship in field hockey among men ; 2011 - one of the sites of the Cricket World Cup). Half Marathon (2005; annually). Nehru Cup (1982; football; not held 1998–2006) Stadiums: "Feroz Shah Kotla" (1883, one of the oldest operating in the country for cricket; 40.7 thousand seats; base of the D. cricket team), National "Dhyan Chand" (1951; reconstruction 2010; 16.5 thousand seats; bandy), "Karnail Singh" (1954; athletics, football, field hockey, boxing, badminton; owner - the state company "Indian Railways"), named after J. Nehru (1982; reconstruction 2010; 60 thousand seats; base of the Indian national football team), Ambedkar (2007; 20 thousand seats; football), named after I. Gandhi (1982; 14.3 thousand seats; the largest indoor stadium in India). Sports complexes: "Siri Fort" (1982; basketball, swimming, shooting, tennis, aerobics, etc.), "Yamuna" (1999; tennis, rugby, boxing, etc.), "Thyagaraj" (2010; netball, kabbadi and etc.). Swimming complex named after S. P. Mukherjee (1982; reconstruction 2010). Tennis courts R. K. Khanna "(1982; reconstruction 2009; 5 thousand seats; they hosted the Indian Open women's tournament"). Shooting range "Dr. Karni" (1982). International Buddha Circuit (in Greater Noida; it hosted the Formula I Indian Grand Prix; 1st race in 2011).

GRP of the National Capital Territory of Delhi approx. 4.51 billion ind. rupees (2014/15; 9th in the country among states and union territories of India). Here originate the "growth corridors" of Delhi - Mumbai and Delhi - Calcutta, connecting the city with the two most important economic centers of the country. In the structure of the economy, the service sector plays a leading role - 82% of GRP (2010/11), the share of industry is 17%, agriculture 1%. The main sectors of the service sector are: administrative, financial (including real estate), transport and logistics, business, telecommunications and information services, social security, culture, research, education, healthcare, tourism and military installations. 0.6 million people are employed in the public service. (2010/11). India is the center of India's political life; all the supreme organs of power, the headquarters of the leading political parties (the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata, and others), and the diplomatic missions of states are located here. D. is the second corporate governance center in India after Mumbai. The Delhi Stock Exchange (DSE; 1947; securities are quoted about 3000 companies), the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX; 2008), the headquarters of a number of largest state-owned companies ["Indian Oil Corporation" (oil industry), "ONGC Videsh "(in the structure of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation"; oil and gas industry), "Gas Authority of India" (realization and transportation of natural gas), "National Thermal Power Corporation" (thermal power), "Steel Authority of India ”, “Jindal Stainless” (both ferrous metallurgy), “Bharat Aluminum Company” (aluminum industry), “Bharat Heavy Electricals” (heavy and power engineering), “Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals” (pharmaceutical industry), “Indian Railways” (railway transport) and its regional branch - the Northern Railway, " Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India" (carriage of goods on special railway cargo corridors), "Air India Regional" (domestic air transportation), "Pravan Hans" (helicopter transportation), "Airport Authority of India" (airport development), " Bharat Sanchar Nigam", "Mahanagar Telephone Nigam" and "Bharti Airtel" (all three are telecommunication services), "National Small Industries Corporation(Support for Small Business Development), etc.], a private diversified conglomerate Delhi Land & Finance (DLF), a private cooperative company Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (production of mineral fertilizers), some private companies [Bhushan Steel ( ferrous metallurgy), "Hindustan Aluminum Corporation"(aluminum industry), "Suzuki Motorcycle India" (a division of the Japanese "Suzuki Motor Corporation"), "Hero MotoCorp" (both - the production of motorcycles and scooters), "Avtec" (car engines and other auto components), "Computer Maintenance Corporation ” (IT technologies), etc.], the State Bank for the Development of Small Enterprises and the Refinancing Agency (MUDRA Bank), the state commercial banks National Housing Bank (serves the housing sector) and Punjab National Bank (various financial services), the state financial company “Tourism Finance Corporation of India" (supports the development of tourism), publishing houses "Rajkamal Prakashan", "Motilal Banarsidass", "Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers" and "Allied Publishers", representative offices of leading foreign companies and monetary institutions.

There are production divisions of IT companies: American "MetaOption", Indian "MindExtend Technologies", "Netsity Systems", "NextGen IT Solutions", "One Earth Infotech", etc. The tourism business is developing rapidly; in 2008 D. visited approx. 2.4 million foreign tourists (15% more than in 2007 and 2.8 times more than in 2004). The city hosts the annual World Book Fair (since 1972; one of the largest in the world), international festivals: photography (since 2011), cars (the largest in Asia; both - once every two years), mango, etc. Exhibition and congress centers: "Vigyan Bhavan" (1956), "Pragati Maidan" (1972; opened on the 25th anniversary of India's independence) and "India Habitat" (1993). On the territory of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, there are several medical centers and hospitals of national importance (including at medical research and educational institutions), as well as large military facilities (including the Indian Air Force Western Command).

The suburbs of D. Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad host the headquarters of a number of companies manufacturing automobiles, motorcycles and scooters, tractors, electronics, pharmaceuticals, IT technology development, etc., as well as the Indian Inland Water Authority. ways (in Noida).

In the National Capital District of Delhi, there are 29 industrial zones (2010), of which 12 are in the northern part, 7 in the south, 6 in the west, 4 in the east. Leading industries: mechanical engineering and metalworking, chemical, light and food flavoring. Production of electrical equipment, electronic equipment and components, products made of polymeric materials, household chemicals and personal hygiene products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, clothing, footwear, food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, etc. Handicraft production of carpets, furniture, dishes, textile, leather, pottery, wickerwork, chased, jewelry and other products.

Large industrial centers are the suburbs of D. Gurgaon (production of cars and trucks, motorcycles and scooters, auto components, tractors, medical and electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals, etc.), Noida and Greater Noida (cars, auto components, electronic equipment, oil and gas equipment etc.), Ghaziabad (car accessories, etc.) and Faridabad (motorcycles, tractors, etc.). Industrial enterprises in Gurgaon and Noida operate within the framework of the special economic zones of the same name. The industrial zones of Noida and Gurgaon are among the largest in the country.

The power supply of the National Capital District of Delhi and its suburbs is provided by three gas (capacity, respectively, 1500 MW, 330 MW and 270 MW) and two coal (705 MW and 135 MW) thermal power plants.

Delhi is considered one of the oldest cities in the world - its history dates back to 3000 BC. e. and described in the Indian epic Mahabharata. According to legend, the city in honor of the god Indra on the banks of the Yamuna River, called Indraprastha, was founded by the legendary Pandava brothers, who conquered this land from the native tribes.
The favorable geographical position on the trade routes from Afghanistan, Persia and Central Asia to the south of India and to the plains determined the economic prosperity of the city. The influence of many peoples, cultures and religions has led to the emergence of a unique agglomeration of our days.
Throughout its history, Delhi has repeatedly experienced ups and downs, became the center of various civilizations, was subjected to conquest and destruction. Modern Delhi stands on the ruins of several ancient capitals.
How the name Delhi came about is still debated. The main version is in the IV century. the already long-destroyed city of the Pandavas was rebuilt by King Dhelu, in whose honor the city received a new name. Under the name "Daidala", the Greek historian Claudius Ptolemy (c. 87-165), who lived in Alexandria and visited India, mentioned this city and depicted it on the map.
The first fortress on the territory of Delhi - Lal-Kot appeared in the VIII century, it was built by Prince Anangpal II. In 1011, Delhi was captured and sacked by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni (971-1030) and became a provincial city in the Ghaznavid state.
In 1193, Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibek captured Delhi and made it the capital of the Delhi Sultanate, which lasted more than three hundred years. During this period, Delhi becomes one of the richest cities in Asia. Against the army of Tamerlane (1336-1405) in 1348, Delhi could not resist - the richest city was destroyed and devastated, but was rebuilt again.
In 1526, after the Battle of Panipat, the ruler of Ferghana, a descendant of Tamerlane Babur (1483-1530), captured Delhi and founded the Mughal Empire. The capital of the country moved to the city of Agra, but Delhi continued to play a significant role in the economy and politics of the state.
Emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666) in 1648 moved the capital of the empire to Delhi. It was on his orders that the famous Red Fort (Lal-Kila) was built today and the new city of Shahjahanabad, which is the core of Old Delhi, grew. By the way, the mausoleum also appeared at the behest of Shah Jahan, who grieved over the loss of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
The collapse of the Mughal Empire was tragic and for Delhi in 1739 the city was captured and plundered by the troops of the Iranian Nadir Shah. Since the beginning of the XIX century. Delhi passes under the control of Great Britain - the rule of the Great Mughals is preserved only formally.
In the early 1900s there was a decision to move the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi. On December 12, 1911, the residence of the British Viceroy of India was moved to Delhi. Soon New Delhi was founded, King George V himself (1865-1936) arrived at the laying of the first stone, in whose honor the central avenue of the new city was named Kingsway.
The construction of the new capital was entrusted to the outstanding English architects Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) and Herbert Baker (1862-1946) and was completed by the beginning of 1931.
In 1947, with the declaration of independence of India, the city became its capital. The Indian Constitution of 1991 states that the official name of the Union Territory of Delhi is the "National Capital Territory of Delhi".

The turbulent history of Delhi has left its marks in all parts of the city. The capital of India today attracts many tourists - there is something to see here.
The official government bodies of India are located in the Delhi region, which is called New Delhi and covers an area of ​​just over 40 km 2. In the New Delhi agglomeration, 23,200,000 people live, which makes this city one of the most overpopulated in the world. The districts of Delhi differ significantly from each other.
New Delhi, or New Delhi, is the most comfortable area with administrative buildings, wide avenues and quarters of colonial-style mansions, government offices and embassies, luxury hotels and huge shops, banks and corporate offices. The commercial and commercial center of Delhi is Connaught Square.
Old Delhi with monuments of the Mughal era of the XVI-XVII centuries. and noisy bazaars populated predominantly by Muslims, here stands the largest of the Indian mosques Jamia Masjid. And there are many narrow and dirty streets, along which cows roam and monkeys rush, beggars crowd, rickshaws and used cars hardly make their way. In Old Delhi, there are also beautiful temples and palaces, casually coexisting with filth and poverty.
About 20 km from Old Delhi, in South Delhi, there is the famous architectural ensemble Qutb Minar and the world's tallest brick minaret at 72.6 m, built by several generations of the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. There is also a seven-meter Iron column weighing six and a half tons, whose age is 1600 years. There is a version that it is made of meteoric iron and that is why it does not corrode.
The National Museum of India in Delhi, established in 1955, is one of the most interesting museums in the world. Unique exhibits of Indian history are exhibited here. The museum's collection includes more than 150,000 works of art and is constantly updated.
Delhi is a multinational city with many faces. Representatives of numerous nationalities and castes of India live here, temples of several religions work and people with very different incomes live nearby, adhering to different lifestyles. The slums of the city outskirts, where there are no basic amenities and millions of people live below the poverty line, and the luxurious homes of the richest people in India, all this is Delhi. Modern scientific and educational institutions and multibillion-dollar economic turnover, hundreds of thousands of students and crowds of beggars and this is the current Delhi.
Delhi fully symbolizes India with many faces, striving for the future, preserving and respecting its history and trying to solve social problems. But overcrowding and the low standard of living of a large part of the population of India are clearly represented in its capital. Therefore, tourists visiting Delhi have conflicting impressions - on the one hand, the richest opportunities to get acquainted with historical and cultural monuments, on the other hand, constant concerns about compliance with sanitary standards, even in relatively prosperous areas of the city.
At the same time, despite the many poor and low-income residents, Delhi has a relatively low crime rate, murders and robberies are rare. True, there are a lot of pickpockets and scammers, guidebooks warn about this. But these warnings do not stop tourists from visiting the bazaars of Old Delhi, because nowhere else can you find such a variety of fabrics, carpets, spices, decorations.

general information

Delhi, the capital of India

Administrative-territorial division: Delhi has the status of a union territory, divided into 9 districts.
Ethnic composition: Hindustanis, Telugu, Marathas, Bengalis, Tamils, Gujaratis, Kannara, Punjabis, other nationalities.
Languages: Hindi, English, 21 other languages.
Religion: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, other religions.
Currency unit: Indian rupee.
The most important airports: international airport them. Indira Gandhi, Safdarajang Airport.
Major river: Jumna (Yamuna).

Numbers

Area: 1483 km2.
Population: 13,782,976 (2010).
Population density: 9294 people/km2.
highest point: 300 m

Climate and weather

Monsoonal, January average temperature: +14ºС, July - +31ºC.
Average annual rainfall: 660 mm.
hottest period: March-June, rainy season - July-October.

Economy

Large business center and transport hub.
Chemical and pharmaceutical industry, metalworking, mechanical engineering, electronics industry, glass and ceramic industry, textile, leather, clothing, food industry.
Large educational center.
Tourism.

Attractions

■ Temples and mosques: Gurdwara Sis-Genj Sahib (Sikh Temple), Jamiya Masjid, Kuwaat-ul-Islam, Fateh Puri, Yogmaya Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Digambar Jain Jain Temple. Chandni Chowk Baptist Church, St. James Anglican Church, Vihara Buddhist Stupa, Lotus Baha'i Temple, Kalkaji Goddess Kali Temple.
■ Monuments and museums: Ajmeri Gate, Turkmen Gate, Raj Ghat Memorial, Folk Puppet Museum, Rashtrapati Bhawan Presidential Palace, National Museum, Parliament of India, India Gate Monument, Handicraft Museum, Delhi Exhibition Center, National Gallery of Modern Art, Purana Qila Fort, Planetarium Nehru, Nehru Memorial Library, Mahatma Gandhi Museum, Tibet Museum.
■ tombs: the mausoleum of Adkham Khan, the dargah of Kutbuddin-Bakhtiyar-Kaki, the tomb of Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmysh, the dargah of Nizamuddin Chishti Auliyi, the architectural ensemble of the tomb of the Sultan of Guria, the tomb of Firuzshah Tughlak, the tomb of Safdarjung, the tomb of Sultana Razi, the tomb of Humayun.

Curious facts

■ There is Leo Tolstoy Street in Delhi, and there is a monument to the great Russian writer on it.
■ Like Hollywood's "Avenue of Stars", the "Avenue of Stars" of Bollywood, India's famous "movie factory", has been created in downtown New Delhi.
■ According to surveys and studies in 2010, it turned out that Delhi is the cheapest taxi in the world. True, the quality of the cars used for transportation corresponds to the cheapness of the services.
■ Considerable obstacles to movement along the streets of Delhi are created by sacred animals - cows that roam the city. So far, all the efforts of the Delhi authorities to call the owners of animals to order do not help. It was not possible to minimize the damage from another sacred animal - rhesus monkeys, which continue to live their own lives in Delhi, causing a lot of trouble to the townspeople and tourists. Indians do not want to catch macaques, preferring to endure the inconvenience. But the movement of elephants in Delhi was managed to be streamlined. Now elephants have the right to move around the city only from 10 pm to 6.30 am, and during the day - from 12.00 to 15.00.