Interesting Facts About Delhi: Capital Of India

Delhi is the capital city of India and is rich in culture and history also the largest city in the country. It stands on the western end of the genetic plain and is bordered by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. There are two main districts of the city, Old Delhi the capital of Muslim India between the mid 17th and late 19th centuries with its historic sites, mosques and monuments and New Delhi, the imperial city created by the British Raj with its imposing government buildings and tree-lined avenues.
Some interesting facts about Delhi-
Delhi is the home to the largest market of spices in Asia.
Khari boali in Delhi is very famous in the world for spices at low-priced. It is almost 400 years old. It was build and started operating in the 17th century and is still operational. It is not simply called Asia’s largest market. It has all the nuts, dry fruits, spices and everything which is not available in the market or weekly bazaars. You name it, they have it. There are endless varieties of ayurvedic herbs and medicines available there. They will appear to you as fossils but are actually rare herbs and medicines which are good remedies for certain diseases.
Delhi hosted the most expensive host of Commonwealth Games.
The vibrant city, home to 14 Million people, hosted the Commonwealth Games in October 2010. This was the first time India has hosted the Commonwealth Games and only the second time the event has been held in Asia. Kuala Lumpur in 1998 was the first.
Red Fort was originally white.
Red fort was originally white and red, Shah Jahan's favorite colour. Its design is credited to architect Ustaad Ahmad Lahauri, who also constructed the Taj mahal. After years of negligence, when the white stone started chirping off, the building was called Red fort.
Delhi is the home to a unique museum of Toilets.
The Sulabh International Museum of Toilets. According to Time magazine, this is one of the weirdest museums. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, a social activist founder of Sulabh sanitation and social reform movement, recipient of the national and international awards including the Stockholm water prize in 2009. His objective in establishing this museum was to highlight the need to address the problems of the sector in the country. Considering the efforts made in various parts of the world in this field since the 3rd millennium BC.
Delhi is called the Lutyens Delhi
Lutyens’ Delhi" is used indiscriminately to include the work of all the other brilliant architects who worked to build New Delhi in the 1930s. The only four bungalow-residences designed by Edwin Lutyens, for the private secretary, surgeon general, military secretary, and comptroller, lie hidden within the security zone of the President’s Estate. So how can history bury all the bungalows and buildings which are the work of other architects? Robert Tor Russell built Connaught Place, the Eastern and Western Courts, the commander-in-chief’s house Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport, Irwin Amphitheatre, and over 4,000 government houses and not many even know Russell’s name.
Delhi also has the largest wholesale market of fruits and vegetables in Asia.
Azadpur mandi in Delhi is the largest wholesale fruit and vegetable market. It has a lot of fruit and vegetables which are normally not available in the market. All the stuff available here is cheap rates. It is located in the northwest district of Delhi, the business inside the market starts at midnight and continues late in the day until most of the stock is sold. Every day, thousands of trucks enter the market starting midnight bringing the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from all over the country. Being one of the largest wholesale markets in India, the daily business of 29-30 crores takes place in the Azadpur mandi each day. The unloading of the fresh production starts as the trucks enter and reach their specific spots inside the market. With merely 30000 wholesale merchants, smaller traders and retailers running the business. These fruits and vegetables are then distributed throughout the capital and most parts of north India.
Delhi is the home to the tallest minaret in India.
The Qutub Minar is a towering 73-meter high tower build by Qitub-ud-Din Aibak in 1193. The tower was built to celebrate Muslim dominance in Delhi after the defeat of Delhi’s last hindu ruler. This tower is the highest tower in India. Complete with five storeys and projecting balconies. The first three storeys of Qutub Minar are made of redstone. The construction of the Qutub Minar was Qitub-ud-Din Aibak, but he only created the basement. The construction of the tower was later taken over by his successor Iltutmish who constructed three more stories. The last two stories were completed by Firoz shah Tuglak. The different architectural styles from the time of the Qutub Minar.

Delhi, a place of wonder where you can found a variety of species finding their demons and way for better future, for some, it’s a place of pollution and smoke but for some, it’s an opportunity to conquer business markets so ultimately it’s a place of myths and wonders which is irresistible for any individual.

By: Gunika Anand
School: Guru Harkrishan Public School
Class: 8th