New Delhi

Delhi, where a empire rose and fell before the dawn of history; where citadels of emperors appeared and disappeared; a city of mysterious eternity whose old ruins proclaim a majestic and imperial past and whose present pulsates vibrantly with the ever flowing life of India. The eternal Jamuna bears witness to the glorious and tumultuous 5,000 year old history of Delhi. A history which begins with the creation of Indraprastha by the Pandavas and the transformation of this barren gift of the Kauravas into an idyllic haven.

A history which encompasses all the various kings and emperors who fixed their royal citadels here-- Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad. but, combined and integrated into one, these 'new cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always been intrinsically identified with power and imperial sway.

There have been at least eight cities around modern Delhi, and the old saying that whoever founds a new city at Delhi will lose it has come true every time -- most recently for the British who founded New Delhi in 1911.

The historic Purana Qila, which has stood witness to Delhi's rejuvenation, periods of anarchy, and the rise & fall of empires, brings alive history of the capital. Amidst the tranquility of the splendidly panoramic environs of Purana Qila, Delhi's historic and legendary past come to life. After Shah Jahan built Red Fort the attention of administration shifted to gorgeous palaces of the fort. Today the fort is open for the public but only limited area can be accessed. More than half of the fort area has been taken over by the Army. But even what is open to visit reminds one of the splendour and lavish life style which our rulers lived.

Delhi has seen the death of many empires and resisted bloody attempts to eliminate her. Nadir Shah had ordered his soldiers to plunder and massacre Delhi. It is said that he got so much wealth from Delhi that he was not able to carry in home. Abdali and Taimur Lane were no different they had tried their best to demolish the city of Delhi but it was some kind of a boon which helped it to regain its lost glory each time Delhi was plundered.

Delhi was the focal point for the first war of independence in 1857. Though the revolt did not reach its desired conclusion, Delhi became a thorn in the eyes of the British. Not only in ancient times or the mediaeval period, Delhi has been the center of any activity at all times. As the Britishers shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi, all the activities during the freedom struggle were directed towards Delhi. Thus, Delhi also bears the marks of the freedom struggle. The ultimate goal of the Azad Hind Fauz during the freedom struggle was to capture Delhi and established Swaraj

. The slogan 'Dilli Chalo' is still used by leaders and political parties when they oraganise any rally or demonstration. It was the hosting of the tricolour at Red Fort in Delhi which marked a chapter in the history of India.

Delhi Airport

Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) is a Public Private Partnership Initiative that has been awarded the mandate for modernization and restructuring of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. DIAL comprises the GMR Group, Airports Authority of India, Fraport AG, Eraman Malaysia and India Development Fund.

The mandate is to finance, design, build, operate and maintain the airport for a period of 30 years till 2036 with a further option of 30 years. GMR Group holds 50.1% of equity in the project, while the Airports Authority of India holds 26%. Fraport & Eraman Malaysia hold 10% each, while IDF has a 3.9% holding.

Besides upgradation of the existing terminals, the project envisions the construction of a new integrated terminal which in the first phase would be able to handle 37 million passengers per annum (mppa). This phase will be completed by 31st March 2010, for the Commonwealth Games. In addition to the passenger terminal, new runways would also be built to cater to the additional air traffic. Going further, the project aims to achieve an ultimate design capacity of 100 mppa.

Shopping at Delhi

New Delhi is a shopper's paradise, to say the least. You find trendy items, antique pieces, clothes, jewellery, cosmetics and what not even in local bazaars and platform shops at extremely affordable rates. Here we have for you some of Delhi's popular shopping complexes and bazaars.

City Centre (Connaught Place)

Closed on Sundays

Recently renamed as Rajiv Chowk,'CP'or Connaught place was demarcated as the shopping arcade of the 'new' capital of Lutyen's Delhi in the mid 1930's. Located in the heart of Delhi, CP boasts of colossal white old colonial style buildings.

What to shop: Craft item, handcraft, curios, books, ethnic wear, kohlapuri chappals, Rajasthani paintings and brassware. You will also find Government run Central Cottage Industries Emporium where you can find a wide and rare collection of Indian artifacts from different corners of the country. Another place to visit is the underground Palika Bazaar an air-conditioned shopping centre

with stalls of ready-to-wear, costume jewellery, accessories, books and a lot of odds and ends.

Nearest Metro Station: Palika

Baba Kharak Singh Marg
Famous for handicrafts, handlooms, woolens, even shoes or sandals and arts from every state in India.

Open 10 am to 6.30 pm. Closed on Sundays

KHADI GRAMODYOG BHAVAN: Situated in Regal building, City Centre and run by Khadi Village Industries commission. Here you can buy Khadi cotton paper, incense sticks, pure honey, etc. A Special Discount period of 90 Days from Oct. the 2nd i.e. Mahatma Gandhi's birth Anniversary.

Open 10 am to 6 pm. Closed Sunday.
Nearest Metro Station: Palika

Karol Bagh

One of the most famous retail markets of Delhi housing nearly 1500-2000 shops in one long row offering products at best possible prices
What to shop: Food, jewellery and ready made garments.
Nearest Metro Station: Karol Bagh (Rajendra Place)

Monday Holiday

Chandni Chowk

Located opposite the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk has items ranging from traditional turbans to modern electronic gadgets.

What to shop: Food, spices, silk and etc.
Nearest Metro Station: New Delhi Railway Station

Sunday Holiday

Nights at delhi

Bars

Anyone who has been to Delhi returns to tell stories about the Rodeo bar, A-Block,Connaught Circus, because of its Indian waiters dressed as cowboys and mock saddle seats at the bar. Saqi in Hotel Alka and Maikada in Hotel Marina (both G-Block, Connaught Circus) each boast an outside terrace where you can sit with a drink in the cool of the evening. The Maurya Sheraton, Diplomatic Enclave, has a lively bar behind the lobby of the hotel with a golfing theme and Henri's at the top of the Meridien Hotel, Windsor Place,offers a fine panorama of the city.

The celebrated Cavalry Bar in the Oberoi Maidan Hotel, Civil Lines, is a relic of the Raj and will appeal to those who like bars to be simple yet smart. In Hauz Khas Village, a good location for deer-spotting is the rooftop of Park Baluchi, inside the Deer Park,while Vasant Vihar has TGI Fridays - very popular with hip young Delhiites and Golden Dragon (C-Block, Market).

Clubs

Not much of a club scene in Delhi but there are about half a dozen discos that have become regular haunts of local Delhiites . Most are located in the luxury 5***** hotels and many of them operate a couples-only policy as well as a dress code. The most popular are CJ's at Le Meridien, Windsor Place, while Some Place Else at The Park, 15 Parliament Street, appeals to the local crowd with its English pub-style aspirations.Oasis, at the Hyatt Regency, Bhikaiji Cama Place, is quite lively in a flashy kind of way, and Annabelles, at the Inter-Continental, Barakhamba Avenue, Connaught Place, and Wheels, at the Ambassador, Sujan Singh Park, both have an large regular clientele

Live music:
The Jazz Bar at the Maurya Sheraton, Sardar Patel Marg, features a live jazz show every
evening by Indian musicians, while the Tavern at the Hotel Imperial, on Janpath, also offers the same in its restaurant-cum-bar.

Parent Resources

Map of India

Indian Culture

Miscellaneous

New Delhi