Delhi is made up of nine districts. Delhi is considered the National Capital Territory of India and comprises three census town, namely New Delhi (the capital of India), Delhi and Delhi Cantonment, along with 214 villages. It also includes the surrounding satellite cities of Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida.

Delhi is a unique blend of the ancient glory and modern luxuries that mark the territory and give it its very essence. The wayfarer as much as the resident ‘delhiite’ or dhilliwaalay (colloquial reference to a resident of Delhi), are fascinated by this exotic place that is “very regal” and “very cosmopolitan” at the same time.

The name ‘Delhi’ came about from the Urdu/Hindustani word Dahleez which means ‘Frontier’. And true to its name, Delhi has been the "capital of seven empires" in Indian history, and as per the Archaeological Survey of India - has over 60,000 recognized monuments built over the several millenia. Delhi was first referenced in the Indian epic Mahabharata as Indraprastha.

Delhi derives its historic importance from its position in northern India, occupying a location between the Aravalli Hills to the southwest and the Yamuna river on whose western banks it stands. This enabled it to dominate the old trade routes from northwest India to the plains of the Ganges. As a result, it has always been an important cultural and intellectual center.

Delhi occupies an area of about 1,483 square kilometres (572 square miles) with a population of approximately 14 million (though with its suburbs it crosses well over 23 million). The principal spoken language is Hindi. Other common languages spoken are English, Urdu, and Punjabi. Punjabis are the most dominant section here. Delhi is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural with a vast Indian bureaucracy integrated into its political system. There are more than 160 embassies located at delhi to cater to the needs of the increasing expatriate population in India.

History
The history of Delhi can be traced back to the times when the epic “Mahabharata” was written, referring to Delhi as “Indraprastha” supposed to have been founded by the Pandavas as early as 1450 B.C. The remains of the city that identifies with the period have been excavated within the ramparts of Purana Qila. The name “Delhi” was first recorded in the 1st century BC, though some historians believe that the name (“Dilli”) comes from Raja Dillu who was supposed to have ruled in this area as far back as 100 B.C.

Around 320 AD, the Gupta and the Maurya dynasties, ruled from the capital city of “Indraprastha” when India was known as the Golden Bird. The first city was believed to have been built in the 12th century AD by the Cahaman ruler Prithviraja. It was captured by Muslims in 1193 and became capital of a Muslim empire in India under Qutubuddin Aybak, builder of the Qutb Minar tower. Then came the slave Kings and the Khaljis who ruled for over a century and built a new capital Siri, in 1302 A.D., now marked by the imposing edifice of Siri Fort and the Asian Games Village. After the Khaljis came the Tughlaks in the early 15th century who gave an additional impetus to the building activity in Indraprastha with the shaping of the Tughlakabad Fort built by Ghyias-ud-din Tughlak. This was not the end of the new revival initiated by the Tughlaks and was followed by the setting up of the cities of Jahanpanah (asylum of the world) and Firozabad (Kotla Ferozeshah) by the successors of Ghyias-ud-din.

The first Mughal conqueror and emperor - Babar, had a liking for Agra where he set up his capital. However his son - Humayun, returned to Delhi and built the Purana Qila as his fort and seat of governance. Then came the Suri dynasty wherein Sher Shah Suri also chose Dilli as the capital which he built in 1542 A.D. Although the next Mughal emperor, Akbar, preferred to shift to Agra and Fathepur Sikri, his son, derived an affable penchant for Delhi and began work on building the historic Red Fort (Lal Qila) in 1638 A.D. Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan rebuilt and restored Delhi as the Mughal Capital in the 1600s. The Persian inscription on the ceiling of the Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Nobles) at the glorious Red Fort says “If there be a paradise on Earth; it is this, oh it is this, oh it is this". The couplet was rendered by the noted poet - Firdaus, in the court of the Mughal Emperor – Shah Jahan.

The seven cities, each with a unique characteristic of its own were Lal Kot, Siri, Tughlakabad, Jahanpanah, Ferozeshah Kotla, Lodi Tombs and the Purana Qila. Tughlakabad, the ruined fortress east of the imposing Qutab Minar, was said to have become a ghost city 15 years after it was built following a supposed curse from the Sufi saint, Azam-ud-din.

Delhi remained the Mughal capital until 1739, when it was conquered and looted off its treasures, including the famous Peacock Throne, by the Persian ruler Nadir Shah. About 1771, the Marathas gained control and remained in power until British forces seized the city in 1803. Delhi came under British rule after 1857, and in 1911 they decided to make it their capital.

In 1911, the British asked Edwin Lutyens, the world-famous architect, was brought in redesign the city in all its ethnic splendor. Lutyens called his creation as “The Rome of Hindustan”. Even today, you can marvel at the architectual designs and sophistication in few of its landmarks such as: Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Connaught Place and various administrative buildings like the South and North blocks along the breathtaking view from Raj Path.

After india gained independence in 1947, Delhi became the Capital of india. Subsequently Delhi was made a Union Territory on November 1, 1956. With the 69th Constitutional amendment, Delhi got a Legislative Assembly when the National Capital Territory Act was enacted in 1991. Following state assembly elections in Delhi, Mr. Madan Lal Khurana became the first Chief Minister of Delhi.

Economy
Delhi, the capital of India, is the nucleus of trade, commerce and industry in the Northern region. It carries a rich legacy and has over the years evolved as a very cosmospolitan city, retaining its ethnic charm all the same. Today, Delhi happens to be one of the most affluent urban centers in India and is at the heart of India's largest consumer belt. Delhi is widely considered to have the best transport and utilities infrastructure in the country. It has recently emerged as an entrepôt for multi-nationals and is the primary destination for FDI in India, particularly with the emergence of its suburbs Noida and Gurgaon as commercial and industrial centers in their own right. The nation's automobile, media and consumer goods industries have facilities in and around Delhi.

Knowledge-based industries are also thriving in Delhi, particularly in the life sciences, telecom and the information technology arena. A preferred destination due to the quantity and high caliber of English speakers, Delhi and its suburbs account for over 30% of India's IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports - the second largest in the country (Bangalore accounts for 35%). Delhi is the most prosperous state with a per capita income of  Rs.11,650. Government office complexes are a major source of employment and the city is also home to important medical, agricultural and educational institutions.

The city records a steadily increasing quality of life, a booming economy and consumer market. The education system is well in place with a number of quality schools. It is also home to major educational institutions in India such as: Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University.

Engineering, clothing and chemicals predominate, although electronics and electrical goods are gaining in importance. Most industries are located in the Southwest and Southeast of the city. Delhi has two major thermal power plants (Baderpur and Indraprastha).

Trade, banking and commerce are also assuming increasing importance, although not on the scale of Bombay. This change from 'service town' to ‘commercial centre’ will continue to have an important influence over land-use changes and population. Delhi is also well connected by road, air and railways.

Highlights

• Delhi is the National Capital Territory of the Republic of India
• The name “Delhi” comes from the Urdu word “Dahleez” meaning “Frontier”
• Delhi has been the capital of seven empires in Indian History
• Delhi has over 60,000 recognized monuments