Delhi, the capital of India, has a population of nearly 15 million.  Situated in the North of India on the Indo-Gangetic plain on the banks of the Yamuna river, it is a varied and fascinating city.  It is the seat of government of the largest democracy in the world. 

It has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC, most notably as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1649, of the British Raj from 1911 and of modern India since 1947 (Independence Day is 15th August).  Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India and buildings such as The Red Fort and Jama Masjid were commissioned by the Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid 17th century. The market areas in Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk and Kinari Bazaar for example, are composed of mazes of small streets selling items from wedding saris, through spices to bicycle parts; tiny entrances give way to rooms packed high with goods; an unique shopping experience.

New Delhi is the name given to the imperial capital built by the British after 1911, designed by Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker.  The government buildings are large and imposing along wide avenues, with India Gate and the President's residence being at either end of Rajpath. The original residential areas consist of large white bunglaows to the south of the government buildings.

Delhi is a rapidly changing city, and in addition to the historic iconic buildings there are much newer ones such as the Lotus Temple (Baha'i house of worship), shopping malls and tower blocks in the satellite city of Gurgaon.  In preparation for the Commonwealth Games in 2010, Delhi's transport system is being improved with an extensive metro system, but much of the population is still dependent on bicycles, motorbikes, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, which run on compressed natural gas (CNG) thus helping to reduce the pollution levels in the city.

A few days in Delhi will be an unforgettable experience involving all your senses!