New Delhi, India

According to abbreviationfinder, New Delhi is the capital of India. It is located at a crossroads between the trade routes that came from Europe and circulated through the Ganges plains to the farthest East. Uncompromising city in every way. It stretches over a huge expanse of the Iamuna River plain and the growing population, poverty and high levels of pollution are distinctive symbols. Regardless of these factors, historical, architectural and culinary wonders prevail at every step in the tour of the city called also of the great contradictions.

Origins

It is considered one of the oldest cities in the world because its origins date back to approximately 1,200 BC. Up to seven different cities have been successively built on it, one on top of the other. Founded by the Mughal emperor, Shahjahan, who gave it the name of Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) and made it the capital of the country.

History

Delhi has been the capital of India since its independence in 1947. It emerged as a planned city, built capital south of the old urban area and named after the English rulers moved the capital of British India from Calcutta in 1911 to this city. It continues to be the capital of independent India. The architect Edwin Lutyens was in charge of planning the city. He designed a spectacular administrative area, a legacy of British imperialism.

The modern capital is actually the sum of two cities: Old Delhi, huddled within the dirty and narrow streets of the enclosure, surrounded by the walls of the Red Fort, and New Delhi, the opposite pole, site of the great Imperial Citadel, tree-lined boulevards and spacious bungalows designed by Lutyens and Baker in the 1920s. After decolonization, starting in 1947, the city experienced spectacular development, especially in the sub-urban area. A new city, New Delhi, was born and officially declared the seat of the Indian Government and Parliament.

Today Delhi is the most important city in India in terms of culture, commerce and politics. Despite its long history, Delhi is a very young city. With the partition of 1947, the city underwent enormous changes that radically transformed it overnight. India became predominantly Hindu, while Pakistan became a fully Islamic country.

There were massive migrations between the two countries and there were large-scale bloodbaths. After being predominantly Muslim for centuries, Delhi became after 1947 a Hindu and Sikh city whose official language is Panyabi. At the same time, the population doubled, despite the mass exodus of Muslims. This surprising and artificial demographic change largely explains the harshness and insecurity of the city. In a way, it is a city only half a century old.

Demography

The municipality of New Delhi has a population of over 340,000. In 2003, the National Capital Territory of Delhi – of which New Delhi is a part – had a population of 14.1 million making it the second largest metropolitan area in India after Bombay. There are 821 women for every 1000 men and illiteracy is 81.82%. See population of India.

Geography

New Delhi has a total area of 1483 km². Most of the territory is located on the west bank of the Yamuna River, and the Ganges and Aravali rivers are nearby.

The city is located at an altitude between 65,421 and 305 meters above sea level. Geographically it is located in the northern part of the country. It borders the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Climate

The climate is monsoon. It has two seasons, a wet one, in the summer, from the end of June to the end of September, and a longer dry one that lasts the rest of the year. Starting in mid-April, temperatures rise inexorably. During most of the months of May, June and July the thermometers stay around 45 ° C (113 ° F) until the arrival of the monsoon.

The rainiest months are July and August, the rest of the year the rains are scarce and occasional with abundant sunny days with fog and smoke from air pollution. Snowfall is scarce. Temperatures are mild in winter although contrasted between day and night as there is hardly any cloudiness. The highest temperatures occur in the spring months, as there is hardly any rainfall (April, May and June), exceeding 37 ° C almost every day, and can reach 45 ° C. Summer is warm although not as warm as spring; the fall as the winter are milder.

Most representative places

The city offers multiple places of interest and a rich architectural history, among which the former residence of the British viceroys and the current presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Gateway of India, a memorial erected in honor of soldiers who died during various wars; Humayun’s Tomb, said to be the forerunner of the well-known Taj Mahal in Agra; the Raj Ghat or memorial of Mahatma Gandhi; the Lotus Temple or the remains of the ancient city of Purana Quila.

Of its monuments, the Qutab Minar and Humayun’s tomb, have been declared a World Heritage Site.

Significant cultural events

Important events of a patriotic nature, such as Gandhi Jayani (Gandhi’s birthday), Republic Day and Independence Day, are celebrated annually in New Delhi and the rest of India. Most citizens of New Delhi celebrate the day of the independence of India (on August 15) flying kites, which are considered a symbol of freedom. That day the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from the Red Keep.

The Republic Day parade is a large cultural and military parade that showcases the cultural and military diversity of India. Religious festivals include Diwali (Festival of Lights), Durga puya, Holi, Lohri, Maha Shivaratri, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, and Buddha Jayanti.

The Qutub Festival is a nightly cultural event during which musicians and dancers from all over India perform, with the Qutub Minar in the background.

Other events such as the Flying Kite Festival, the International Mango Festival and Vasant Panchai (Spring Festival) take place annually in Delhi.