Delhi

The Qutb Minar Tower in Delhi. Built in the early 13th century and named after Sultan Qutb ud Din Aibak, this red sandstone tower is 72 m/236 ft high. The diameter of the tower tapers from 14 m/47 ft at its base to 3 m/9 ft at the peak. It is the tallest free-standing stone structure in India.

Elaborate carving on the Qutb Minar tower in Delhi, India. Built around 1200, the tower has since had additional storeys constructed, and has also been restored on several occasions. The differences in patterns and building materials, and the various inscriptions, are a record of the developments in Indian culture and architecture.

City of India, and administrative capital of the Union Territory of Delhi (state); population (2001 est) 9,817,400. It borders on New Delhi, capital of India, to the south. Manufactured goods include electronic goods, chemicals, motor-vehicle parts, and precision instruments, as well as traditional handicrafts such as hand-woven textiles, decorative copper and brass goods, gold and silver embroidery, and jewellery. Delhi is the hub of many national roads and railways, as well as being the major air terminal of northern India, with Indira Gandhi International Airport handling most international flights, while Palam Airport handles mainly domestic flights.

History

Features The city is surrounded by a wall with seven arched gateways (1638). The district within the walls (locally known as Shahjahanabad) includes the Great Mosque (or Jami' Masjid) (1648-50), as well as the Red Fort (1648) - a complex of buildings surrounded by a red sandstone wall, and formerly the palace of India's Mogul emperors. The district also has a busy commercial area, the Chandi Chauk (Silver Street). Other landmarks in the vicinity of the city are the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the former viceroy's palace); the Raj Path, a tree-lined boulevard running from the palace to a war memorial arch; and the observatory of Jai Singh, named after the 18th-century ruler of Rajasthan. Just outside the city is the 12th-century Qutb Minar - the highest stone tower in the world, and the 16th-century royal tomb of Humayun. The University of Delhi dates to 1922.

Air pollution Delhi has suffered from serious air pollution: a survey measuring particulate pollution levels in Delhi between October and December 1996 found exposure levels to be seven times the maximum safe level recommended by international health standards.