New Delhi - The Capital City of India

New Delhi is the Capital city of India.  It is also the center of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.  

Prior to the year 2011,  Kolkata or Calcutta was the Capital city of India during the British regime.  But Delhi served as the political and financial center of several empires of ancient India.    In the early 1900s, a proposal was made to the British Government to shift the capital of the British Indian Empire ( India  was called like this at that time ) from Calcutta to New Delhi.  The British India Government also felt that it was easy to administer India from Delhi rather than from Calcutta which was on eastern India.

 George V who was the Emperor of India along with Queen Mary made an announcement on 12th December, 1911 that the Capital of British Indian Empire will be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.  The foundation stone for New Delhi was laid by King George V and Queen Mary on 15th December, 1911.  

Many parts of New Delhi were planned by Sir Edwin Lutyns and Sir Herbert Baker.  Both of them were 20th century British architects.   The new Capital of India, New Delhi was named in 1927 and subsequently inaugurated on 13th February, 1931 by British India Viceroy Lord Irwin.

More Information about New Delhi

New Delhi situated along the Yamuna River, it is the youngest of several historic cities in northern India.  The New Delhi stands on west banks of Yamuna river and bounded by Uttar Pradesh on north, west and south by Haryana.  The name Delhi originated from Persian word Dahleez ( threshold or frontier ) or from the name of Mauryan king, Dhillu.   Here is some information about Delhi.

• Area :  1483 Square Kilometers
• Population : Around 14 millions
• Height above sea level :  216 meters
• 5th most populated urban area in the world
• Languages spoken : Hindi, English, and Punjabi
• Religions : Hindu, Sikhs, and Islam
• Best time to visit : October to March
• STD Code : 011
• New Delhi is considered as cultural center of India.  The city has many historic buildings, festivals to go along with holidays as well as many religious festivals.
• Average Temperature during Summer : 25 to 46 deg celcius
• Temperature during Winter :  5 deg celcius to 22 deg celcius

Agra - The former capital of Hindustan

Agra is a city in Uttar Pradesh State of India is the former capital city of Hindustan.  Agra city is on the banks of Yamuna River.  Agra is around 200 Kms. from the national capital of New Delhi. Agra is the most populous city in Uttar Pradesh.


The world famous Taj Mahal - one of the seven wonders of the world is in Agra city.  Thousands of tourists visit Taj Mahal every day.  

Apart from being a major tourist destination of India, Agra is also an industrial city and can be easily reached by Train from Delhi.



As per the 2011 census, Agra has a population of 17,75,000.  Males are 53% of the population and females ar 47%/  The literacy rate of Agra is 81% which is much higher than the national average of 59.5%.  

The major religions in Agra are Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism with 81.6%, 15.5% and 1.4% of population following them respectively.   About 10% of population of Agra is below 6 years of age.  Here is some more information about Agra.

More Information about Agra

• Area :  188.4 Sq. Kms.
• Population :  17,75,000 as per 2011 census
• Altitude : 167 meters above sea level
• Languages spoken : HIndi, Urdu and English
• STD Code : 0562
• Local transport : Buses, taxis, Auto rickshaws, and Tempos 
• Average daily Agra January temperature: 21°C / 70°F
• Average daily Agra July temperature: 34°C / 93°F

 Agra city was Mughal Capital in the year 1526 and is famous for the famous market place ( Chowk), endless auto rickshaw touts, historic temples and many more great ancient monuments and tombs.

 Please try to avoid unofficial tourist guides in Agra.  There is UP tourism Office at Agra Cantonment Railway Station where you can get genuine information about Agra.

Agra Tourist Attractions and Site Seeing

 Normally a tourist planning a visit to Agra plans a day trip to Agra from New Delhi but there is really much more to see Agra which is impossible to see in one day.  The most popular places to see in Agra are the exciting 6-D Adlabs Cinema Complex, The Moti Maszid, Bageshwarnath Temple and of course  the world famous Taj Mahal.

For more details please read about Agra Tourist Attractions