History and Geography
Delhi finds prominent reference right from the times of the epic Mahabharata.
Its control passed from one ruler/dynasty to another, beginning with the Mauryas,
Pallavas, Guptas of Central India, and then to the Turk and Afghan during the 13th
to 15th centuries, and finally to the Mughals in the 16th century. In the latter
half of the 18th century and early 19th century, the British rule was established
in Delhi. In 1911, Delhi became the centre of all activities after the capital was
shifted from Kolkata. It was made a Union Territory in 1956. Lying in the northern
part of the country, Delhi is surrounded by Haryana on all sides except the east,
where it borders with Uttar Pradesh. The 69th Constitutional amendment is a milestone
in Delhi's history, as it got a Legislative Assembly with the enactment of the National
Capital Territory Act, 1991.
Industry
Delhi is not only the largest commercial centre in northern India, but also the
largest centre of small industries. These are manufacturing a wide variety of items
like television, tape recorders, light engineering machines and automobile parts,
sports goods, bicycles and PVC goods including footwear textiles, fertilizers, medicines,
hosiery, leather goods, software, etc.
Delhi's new millennium industrial policy, emphasizes setting up of high tech and
sophisticated industries in electronics, telecommunications, software industries,
IT enabling services, etc. The industries, which are non-polluting and encourage
high value addition and depend largely on skilled manpower are being promoted. DSIDC
is setting up a Training Institute for Gems and Jewellery and Assaying and Hallmarking
Centre at Okhla in the building of Hi tech Vocational Centre.
For the purpose of relocating industrial units functioning in residential non-conforming
areas, the Government of NCT of Delhi took possession of 1900 acres of land at village
Bawana, Holambi Kalan and Holambi Khurd for developing new industrial estates. Bawana
Industrial area developed by DSIDC is the largest in Asia and is spread over 1900
acres of land. At Narela 900 plots have been developed and allotted and another
600 plots are being developed. Work of construction of 378 flatted factories at
Jhilmil Industrial Area for relocation of smaller units has been completed. 450
acres of land have been taken for development at the Bhorgaarh industrial estates.
In addition to the above, 652 hectares of land is being acquired for development
into a huge industrial area in Kanjhawala/Kerala.
Festivals
Being a cosmopolitan city, all major festivals of India are celebrated here. Moreover,
some tourism festivals have become regular annual events of Delhi. Delhi Tourism
and Transportation Development Corporation organises Roshnara Festival, Shalimar
Festival, Qutub Festival, Winter Carnival, Garden Tourism and Mango Festival every
year.
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Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
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Tourist Centres
Important tourist places are Lal Quila (Red Fort), Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar,
India Gate, Laxmi Narain Mandir (Birla Mandir), Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple, etc.
Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Limited conducts city sight-seeing
and excursion tours.
The Corporation has also introduced adventure tourism activities, such as para-sailing,
rock-climbing and boating. The Corporation has also developed Delhi Haat, where
coffee and food items of different states are available at one place. More such
Haats are coming up in different parts of the city. The "Garden of five Senses"
in the South District of Delhi attracts a lot of tourists visiting Delhi.
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