Difference between Delhi and New Delhi

Delhi and New Delhi: Delhi is one of the union territories of India with a legislature. Officially, it is called the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). It’s a city and a union territory of India. The British declared Delhi as its capital in 1911. Delhi is located on the west bank of the Yamuna. New Delhi is the capital of India. It is located in the north-central part of the country and it is adjacent to and just south of Delhi (Old Delhi).

Let us explore more about the difference between Delhi and New Delhi!

Delhi vs New Delhi: Difference

Aspect	Delhi	New Delhi
Location	Located in the northern part of India, bordered by the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh	A district within the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the capital of India
Historical Background	Has a long history dating back thousands of years, serving as the capital of various empires and kingdoms throughout history	Established as the new capital of British India in 1911, designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens
Governance	Serves as the capital city of India, as well as the administrative center of the National Capital Territory of Delhi	A planned city and district within Delhi, specifically designed to serve as the administrative and diplomatic center of British India, now the capital of India
Administration	Governed by the Government of Delhi, headed by the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor	Governed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Delhi Cantonment Board, with specific administrative responsibilities
Landmarks	Home to historical sites such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, and Chandni Chowk	Known for its government buildings, diplomatic enclaves, and modern infrastructure, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, and India Gate
Population	Dense population with diverse communities, including Old Delhi with its narrow streets and traditional markets	Less densely populated compared to Delhi, primarily consisting of government offices, diplomatic residences, and upscale neighborhoods

Constitutional status of Delhi and New Delhi

The Indian constitution merely declares the capital to be the “National Capital Territory of Delhi” under Article 239AA and subsequently refers to the area as Delhi throughout the document. For example, the Supreme Court of India is said in the constitution to sit in Delhi rather than in New Delhi.

This is jointly administered by a local government and the central government of India. The central government of India has paramount jurisdiction over these buildings and, therefore, over most of New Delhi.

Criteria	Delhi	New Delhi
Historical Significance	The history of Delhi can be traced back to the 6th Century BCE.	The name “New Delhi” was given in 1927, and the new capital was inaugurated on 13 February 1931.
Cultural heritage	Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Lotus Temple, and Humayun Tomb are historical monuments of Delhi.	Rashtrapati Bhavan, Secretariat building, Parliament, India Gate, Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Lodhi Gardens and Akshardham Temple are historical monuments of New Delhi.
Districts	1. North 2. North West 3. North West 4. Central 5. West 6. South West 7. South 8. South East 9. East 10. Shahdara 11. New Delhi	One of the districts of Delhi
Geographical Distinction	The total area of Delhi is 46,208 square km.	The total area of New Delhi is 42.7 square km.

Conclusion

In 1911, it was announced that the capital of British-held territories in India was to be transferred from Calcutta to Delhi. This formally transferred on 12 December 1911. The name “New Delhi” was given in 1927, and the new capital was inaugurated on 13 February 1931

New Delhi was officially declared as the capital of the Union of India after the country gained independence on 15 August 1947.has expanded since; the small part of it that was constructed during the British period has come to be informally known as Lutyens’ Delhi.

FAQs: Difference between Delhi and New Delhi

Why is Delhi now New Delhi?

The British Empire transferred its capital in 1911 from Calcutta to Delhi. This was formally transferred on December 12, 1911. The name “New Delhi” was given in 1927, and the new capital was inaugurated on February 13, 1931.

What is the old name of Delhi?

The old name of Delhi was Indraprastha.

Which city is the capital of Delhi?

New Delhi is one of the 11 districts of the union territory of Delhi. Although Delhi and New Delhi are used interchangeably to refer to the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the fact is that New Delhi is a small part of the city of Delhi.

Is Delhi the capital or New Delhi?

Delhi, also known as the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India. It contains New Delhi as the capital of India.

What is the difference between Delhi and New Delhi?

Delhi is a city and a Union Territory of India, containing 11 districts. New Delhi, the capital of India

New Delhi is an urban district located in the union territory of Delhi. New Delhi serves as the capital of India and the seat of all three organs—the legislative, executive, and judiciary—of the Government of India.