Delhi, India

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

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Introduction
Delhi is not a state but a National Capital Territory — a 1,484 km² urban region that functions simultaneously as India's political capital, its Mughal architectural heartland, a 3,000-year-old continuously inhabited city (the oldest reference appears in the Mahabharata as 'Indraprastha'), and a sprawling metropolis of 32 million that ranks as one of the world's largest urban agglomerations. Seven successive cities have been built and destroyed on this site; the current Delhi is the eighth, layering Sultanate ruins, Mughal forts, British imperial avenues, and 21st-century infrastructure into a single, contradictory, inexhaustible whole.

Discover Delhi

Delhi's claim as the site of seven (or more, depending on who counts) successive cities makes it one of the world's most historically layered urban spaces. The first — Lal Kot, built by the Tomara Rajputs around 736 CE — survives as walls near Qutub Minar. Siri, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, and Firozabad followed under the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526), leaving scattered forts, tombs, and mosques across south and central Delhi. Shergarh (Purana Qila, built by Sher Shah Suri in the 1540s on the legendary site of Indraprastha) is an active archaeological site where excavations reveal Painted Grey Ware pottery from 1000 BCE. Shahjahanabad (1639, Shah Jahan's city — today's Old Delhi) created the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk. New Delhi (1931, Lutyens and Baker) added the imperial capital. The eighth — modern Delhi — sprawls across all seven. The Mehrauli Archaeological Park is the best place to experience this layering physically: Balban's Tomb, Jamali Kamali mosque-and-tomb, Rajon ki Baoli (stepwell), and Quli Khan's Tomb cluster within walking distance, spanning centuries and styles, mostly without signage or crowds.

Travel Types

Mughal Architecture & Medieval Ruins

Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Purana Qila, and dozens of lesser-known tombs scattered across Delhi — the monuments of seven successive cities in one metropolitan area.

Street Food & Culinary Capital

Butter chicken's birthplace, Old Delhi's Mughlai kitchens, Chandni Chowk's chaat vendors, and India's finest restaurant scene — Delhi concentrates more Indian food traditions than any other city.

Markets, Bazaars & Shopping

Chandni Chowk's wholesale spice and silver markets, Khan Market's luxury boutiques, Dilli Haat's pan-Indian crafts, and Sarojini Nagar's export reject bargains — Delhi shops across every price point.

Imperial & Political Capital

Lutyens' New Delhi — India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament — the geometry of British imperial power repurposed for the world's largest democracy.

Spiritual Diversity

Bangla Sahib's free kitchen, Nizamuddin's qawwali, the Lotus Temple's silence, Akshardham's scale, and Jama Masjid's Mughal grandeur — Delhi's religious geography is India in miniature.

Green Spaces & Hidden History

Lodhi Gardens' tombs among joggers, Mehrauli's 100+ unmarked monuments, Agrasen ki Baoli's descending darkness, and Tughlaqabad's overgrown fortress — Delhi's quieter side rewards exploration.

Important Travel Information for Delhi
  • •Air quality is a serious health consideration November-January. Carry N95 masks, monitor AQI apps (IQAir), and minimize outdoor exposure on days above AQI 200. February-March and October offer the best air quality.
  • •Delhi Metro smart card (₹50 deposit) is essential. Women-only carriages exist on all trains (first carriage). Avoid peak hours (8-10 AM, 5-8 PM) when possible.
  • •Prepaid taxi/auto booths at airports, stations, and major tourist points prevent overcharging. Agree on price or insist on meter before boarding auto-rickshaws elsewhere.
  • •Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk) is best explored by cycle rickshaw for the first visit, then on foot. Markets close Sunday. Early mornings offer the best light and lowest crowds.
  • •Dress modestly at religious sites: cover shoulders and legs at mosques, gurudwaras, and temples. Remove shoes at all religious sites. Head covering required at gurudwaras (provided at entrance).
  • •Water is not safe to drink from the tap. Use bottled water. Street food is generally safe at busy, high-turnover stalls — avoid anything sitting uncovered.
  • •Fog season (December-January) causes significant flight delays at IGI Airport. Build buffer time into departure day plans.
  • •Delhi is generally safe with standard urban precautions. Women travelers should exercise additional care after dark and avoid isolated areas. Use app-based ride services rather than flagging auto-rickshaws at night.
Cities in Delhi

1 city with detailed travel information

New Delhi