Delhi is India's vibrant capital city, and the second largest city in the sub-continent, with an ever growing population of around 13 million. It is a busy, noisy, crowded city filled with modern urban sprawl shooting up around its ancient sites. Although Old Delhi fits the stereotype of narrow alleyways that are almost impossible to negotiate by car, New Delhi was laid out with wide tree-lined streets, and can be surprisingly green and peaceful.
Delhi has a long history and has been rebuilt many times. According to legend, each time the city is rebuilt, it is subsequently lost by the builders. The 7th and most recent incarnation of Delhi is New Delhi, built by the British during the days of Empire and has numerous fine colonial structures laid out according to the master plans of the great colonial architect Lutyens, as well as containing the modern commercial heart of Delhi. It is here that most of the modern hotels, shops and restaurants of Delhi are found. Old Delhi is the 6th city, built by the Mughals and contains many interesting sights from the Islamic era, as well as a bustling warren of shops and alleys that is fascinating to explore on foot. Further out can be found the remains of the older cities.
