Yesterday my sister was writing our postal address on an envelope. She wrote Delhi, followed by our PIN code. I knocked her on the head and said, “You live in New Delhi,” and explained the distinction. Do you know the difference between Delhi, New Delhi, and Old Delhi?
Delhi, or the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a union territory. New Delhi is one of its eleven districts and the capital of India. Old Delhi is an area in the Central Delhi district. Delhi-NCT is a megacity of which New Delhi and Old Delhi are small parts.
Nevertheless, these parts have an identity separate from the NCT of Delhi. One is rooted in tradition, while the other represents the nation. These two distinct parts and the remaining areas make the NCT of Delhi.
Are Delhi, New Delhi, and Old Delhi Different?
1. The Confusing Tale of Delhi, New Delhi, and Old Delhi
We often use different names when referring to the capital of our country. The name of the capital is used interchangeably between Delhi and New Delhi. It’s a common source of confusion for many.
In fact, some people struggle to understand the distinctions between these names. For starters, they are part of the NCT of Delhi. It was named a union territory on November 1, 1956, and an NCT in 1991.
When people talk about Delhi, they associate it with the monuments, the old lanes, and the markets. They also think about Lutyens’ Delhi. The former is Old Delhi, and the latter is New Delhi.
NCT Delhi encompasses both. Why a city that spans a little over 1484 sq. kilometres is divided into such prominent parts lies in its rich history.
It has been home to several Kings and their empires, each leaving a mark on the city. It makes the city unique and gives rise to this mystery and confusion between Delhi, Old Delhi, and New Delhi.
2. The National Capital Territory of Delhi
The National Capital Territory of Delhi is one of our country’s union territories. It is commonly referred to as Delhi. Do check out my article on ‘How Delhi Got Its Name‘ for detailed history on the same.
The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 formed the Union Territory of Delhi, which was earlier the Chief Commissioner’s Province of Delhi.
The 69th Constitutional Amendment of 1991 granted Delhi the special status of the National Capital Territory of India and a legislative assembly.
Through the insertion of Article 239AA, a Lieutenant Governor was appointed the administrator. Haryana surrounds Delhi from all directions except the east. Delhi shares its border with Uttar Pradesh on the east.
People experience the influence of cultures from both states. Eleven districts make up the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Each district has its own District Magistrate. These districts are:
- Central Delhi
- East Delhi
- New Delhi
- North Delhi
- North East Delhi
- North West Delhi
- Shahdara
- South Delhi
- South East Delhi
- South West Delhi
- West Delhi
A Chief Minister heads the Government of Delhi with the assistance of a cabinet of Ministers, and they mainly operate through the Delhi Secretariat on Sachivalaya Road near the Income Tax Office headquarters (ITO).
The elected Delhi Government looks after various aspects of administration, like health, education, and transport.
Key departments like law and order and land are under the administration of the Central Government through the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, whose office is in Civil Lines.
Further, it boasts monuments like Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, and the Tughlaqabad Fort.
Delhi-NCR Region
NCT is part of the National Capital Region or NCR. The adjoining districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi make up the Delhi-NCR.
Delhi’s ever-growing population and rapid development around the city encouraged the formation of the NCR.
Demographics
Urban sprawling or expansion has led to the extension of the city boundaries. Delhi is one of the world’s fastest-growing cities.
According to the last population census of 2011, the population of Delhi was estimated to be 16.78 million. Today, this figure stands beyond a whopping 33.80 million.
And the number is only rising due to migration from all over India. Delhi is projected to take over Tokyo as the world’s largest city by 2030.
Cultural Diversity of Delhi
The districts of Delhi are places where communities migrated and settled, and they play a significant role in shaping those parts of the city.
The refugees who migrated from Pakistan after the partition played a huge role in shaping Delhi’s identity and creeping into the ways of New and Old Delhi.
Many districts of Delhi were refugee colonies, but today, some of them are Delhi’s most posh areas.
Refugee colonies, like Lajpat Nagar in South East Delhi, Rajinder Nagar and Rajouri Garden in West Delhi, and Chittaranjan Park in South Delhi, are thriving today.
Lajpat Nagar, Rajinder Nagar, and Rajouri Garden are predominantly Punjabi, and several Bengalis reside in the Chittaranjan Park (C. R. Park). Their cultural imprint can be seen clearly in these areas of Delhi.
3. The Unforgettable Charm of Old Delhi
Old Delhi is a small part of Central Delhi. It is chaotic and noisy, but it is where Delhi’s old soul rests. From monuments to food, shopping, and simply an old-world charm, Old Delhi has lots to offer.
History of Old Delhi
It was the capital of the Mughal Empire, and its profound influence can still be witnessed in the food, architecture, demographics, and culture. Shah Jahan established it; thus, it was called Shahjahanabad.
Old Delhi includes the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the iconic Jama Masjid.
The bustling Chandni Chowk, designed by Shah Jahan’s daughter, Jahanara Begum, is also a one-stop destination for food, clothes, jewellery, and spices.
Old Delhi has numerous other historical and cultural sites that are a testament to its past.
The Old Delhi railway station, Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Ghalib Ki Haveli, and Khari Baoli are just a few of these examples.
Demographics and Culture of Old Delhi
Old Delhi’s population is a mix of people from different parts of the country. However, most areas are dominated by Muslims, and Hindi-Urdu (Hindustani) is the most commonly spoken language.
While this part of the city has a rustic charm that might remind you of bygone eras, it also points towards neglect, as some buildings are in a dilapidated state.
However, the Government is actively taking steps to reform areas of Old Delhi, offering hope for the city’s preservation.
Chandni Chow, for instance, has undergone a makeover that has made it more accessible and presentable.
4. New Delhi, the Birth of the Capital of India
Contrary to popular belief, New Delhi is the capital of our country. It is one of the eleven districts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and was included as a district in 2012.
Why was New Delhi Established
Following the mutiny of 1857, the British wanted to raze the city to the ground. Delhi was pretty much neglected till 1911.
Due to the increasing uprisings in the capital of British India at the time, Calcutta, and the closeness of Delhi to their summer capital, Shimla, the Britishers shifted their capital to Delhi.
Construction of the new city began after World War I and was completed in 1931. To distinguish it from Shahjahanabad, it was referred to as New Delhi.
As a result, Shahjahanabad came to be known as Old Delhi.
New Delhi as the Seat of Power
New Delhi is the seat of the Government of India. The Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Delhi High Court, the Supreme Court of India, and the Delhi Police headquarters are all located here.
Raisina Hill was chosen as the location for the construction of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, which was then known as the Viceroy House. The Britishers also constructed an area for shopping.
They called it Connaught Place, now colloquially known as C. P. It is now symbolic of Delhi.
Apart from the historical sites like Jantar Mantar, India Gate, Purana Quila, and prominent places of worship like the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Sacred Heart Cathedral, and Hanuman Mandir in C. P., the new Central Vista is also here.
New Delhi is also home to many gardens. Mughal Garden, Garden of Five Senses, Nehru Park, and Lodhi Garden are lovely, especially during spring.
If you love flowers, drive through Shantipath during the spring season to witness a variety of flowers in full bloom.
Cosmopolitan New Delhi
The fact that people from all over the country serve here as part of the bureaucracy and government makes New Delhi cosmopolitan.
According to the 2011 census, its literacy rate is also the highest among all districts of the NCT of Delhi and stands at 88.01%. New Delhi is very modern and changes quickly with time.
Plenty of chic restaurants and cafes offer delicious food and experience. Khan Market is an upscale market in New Delhi. You can shop from high-quality, niche brands and experience fine dining.
After the partition, it was first established as a refugee colony for people from Pakistan. If you wish to experience the grandeur of New Delhi, visit Malcha Marg in Chanakyapuri.
You can also enjoy some delectable cuisine.
Art and Culture of New Delhi
Delhi’s art and culture scene is mainly concentrated in New Delhi. Several auditoriums in the city host some of the country’s most popular theatre artists.
There are several museums that are a source of information and pleasure alike. New Delhi also houses premier institutions for learning the performing arts, like Shriram Bharti Kala Kendra and Kathak Kendra.
5. Cultural Differences of Delhi, New Delhi, and Old Delhi
Delhi is heavily influenced by Punjabis and their culture, who migrated here post-partition, New Delhi by the bureaucracy, and Old Delhi by the Mughals. That was not always the case.
The partition changed Delhi’s demographics and, along with it, its identity. Delhi has become synonymous with Punjabis.
The people who made this city their home have always been the architects of Delhi’s identity, shaping its culture and character.
You can read my article on ‘Why Is Delhi Called Mini India?‘ to see how it is a direct reflection of our country.
Old Delhi, for instance, has a significant Muslim population. New Delhi is home to bureaucracy; the culture and pace of life are reminiscent of the past it witnessed and the present it experiences.
The British developed it as their capital, and later, it became the capital of India. The rest of Delhi, or even the NCT of Delhi, has migrants from all over India.
Their communities, though small, have a visible presence and effect on Delhi’s culture.
For example, Durga Puja Pandals (temporary shelters) in and around C. R. Park during Navratri and Chhath Puja celebrations by Maithili, Magahi, and Bhojpuri people (from Eastern U. P., Bihar, Jharkhand, and some parts of Nepal and West Bengal), are now an indelible part of Delhi’s festive season.
Similarly, Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, and Pongal see more celebrations every year because people from the southern and western parts of India live with their families here in Delhi.
