Delhi Cantonment, India
Region: Delhi
Geographic Coordinates: 28.600000, 77.133300
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 45.0°C (50°F to 113°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 405633
Language: Hindi
Delhi Cantonment, Also known as Delhi Cantt, Is a military cantonment located in the southwestern part of Delhi. It was established in the early 20th century during British colonial rule and is currently home to several Indian Army units. The cantonment covers an area of approximately 10, 000 acres and has a population of over 100, 000 people. One of the most prominent landmarks in Delhi Cantonment is the Indian Army’s headquarters known as the Army Headquarters (AHQ). This building serves as the administrative center for all branches of India’s armed forces.
In addition to AHQ, There are several other military installations located within the cantonment including army barracks, Hospitals, Schools and training centers. Apart from its military significance, Delhi Cantonment also has a rich cultural heritage with several historical monuments such as Qila Rai Pithora and Tughlaqabad Fort located within its boundaries. These structures date back to medieval times when they were built by various dynasties that ruled over Delhi.
Another interesting aspect of Delhi Cantonment is its diverse population which includes people from different parts of India as well as expatriates from other countries who work for multinational corporations based in nearby areas like Gurgaon and Noida. This diversity is reflected in the variety of restaurants serving different cuisines ranging from traditional Indian food to international fare. The cantonment also boasts several parks and recreational facilities such as golf courses, Swimming pools and sports complexes which are open to both civilians and military personnel.
One such facility is Dhaula Kuan Sports Complex which hosts national level tournaments for various sports like football, Cricket and tennis. In recent years there has been significant development in infrastructure within Delhi Cantt with new residential colonies being developed along with improved roads and public transport facilities making it easier for residents to commute to nearby areas like Dwarka or South Delhi. Overall, Delhi Cantonment offers a unique blend of military history, Cultural heritage and modern amenities making it an interesting place to visit or live in.
Important Landmarks
- Qutub Minar: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 73-meter tall tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Delhi.
- Red Fort: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this massive fort was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and served as his residence.
- India Gate: This war memorial is a popular spot for picnics and evening walks.
- Lotus Temple: This unique temple is shaped like a lotus flower and is open to people of all religions.
- Rashtrapati Bhavan: The official residence of the President of India, this grand building has 340 rooms spread over four floors.
- Humayun’s Tomb: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this tomb was built for Mughal Emperor Humayun in the 16th century.
- Jama Masjid: One of the largest mosques in India, this mosque can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers at a time.
- National Museum: This museum houses over 200,000 artifacts from ancient times to modern history.
- Akshardham Temple: This Hindu temple complex features stunning architecture and beautiful gardens.
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib: This Sikh temple is known for its sacred pond and free kitchen that serves meals to thousands every day.
Primary Industries
- Defense: The Indian Army’s headquarters, Air Force Station and the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) are located in Delhi Cantonment.
- Manufacturing: The area has a significant presence of manufacturing units producing garments, textiles, electronics goods and other consumer products.
- Retail: Several shopping malls and markets cater to the needs of residents as well as visitors.
- Hospitality: Hotels and restaurants cater to tourists visiting nearby attractions like Qutub Minar and Red Fort.
- Education: Schools affiliated with CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) as well as colleges offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses are present in Delhi Cantonment.
- Healthcare: Several hospitals provide healthcare services to residents as well as patients from neighboring areas.
- Information Technology (IT): The IT sector is growing rapidly in Delhi Cantonment with several companies setting up their offices here due to its proximity to other business hubs like Gurgaon and Noida.
Noteable History
- Delhi Cantonment was established in 1914 by the British Indian Army as a military cantonment.
- During the Indian independence movement, many notable figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru visited Delhi Cantonment.
- In World War II, Delhi Cantonment played a significant role in providing support to the Allied forces.
- After India gained independence from British rule in 1947, Delhi Cantonment became a major refugee camp for people displaced by the partition of India and Pakistan.
- Over the years, many political leaders have been associated with Delhi Cantonment including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and current Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal.
- Many military units from Britain, India and other countries have been stationed at Delhi Cantonment throughout its history.
- The cantonment has also hosted several sports events over the years including cricket matches and football tournaments featuring both local teams as well as teams from other parts of India and abroad.
- There are several cultural heritage sites located within or near to Delhi Cantt., including Qutub Minar, Red Fort (Lal Qila), Jama Masjid mosque complex among others which are popular tourist destinations today.
Museums and Things To See
- National Museum, Delhi
- India Gate, Delhi
- Red Fort, Delhi
- Qutub Minar, Delhi
- Lotus Temple, Delhi
- Gandhi Smriti and Raj Ghat
- Humayun’s Tomb
- Jama Masjid
- Akshardham Temple
- Rashtrapati Bhavan and Mughal Garden
Cultural Events
- Diwali Mela is a festival celebrated in Delhi Cantonment with great enthusiasm and fervor. The festival is marked by lighting up the entire area with diyas, candles, and colorful lights.
- Dussehra marks the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with great pomp and show in Delhi Cantonment. People gather to witness the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna, and Meghnath.
- Republic Day Parade is a grand event that takes place on January 26th every year in Delhi Cantonment. It showcases India’s military might, cultural diversity, and achievements.
- Independence Day Celebration is a significant event celebrated throughout India on August 15th every year to mark India’s freedom from British rule.
- Holi Festival celebrates springtime, love, and colors in Delhi Cantonment as well as all over India.
- International Yoga Day takes place on June 21st every year where people come together to celebrate yoga as a way of life.
- Qutub Festival is an annual cultural extravaganza held at Qutub Minar Complex showcasing Indian classical dance forms such as Kathakali or Bharatnatyam along with Sufi music performances from all over India.
- Lohri marks the end of winter season when people light bonfires to celebrate harvest season.
- Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brother-sister relationship where sisters tie rakhi (a sacred thread) around their brothers’ wrists for protection against evil forces.
Cuisine
- Karim’s: Famous for its Mughlai cuisine, especially kebabs and biryani.
- Moti Mahal Delux: Known for its butter chicken and other North Indian dishes.
- Kake Di Hatti: Popular for its vegetarian Punjabi food like chole bhature and dal makhani.
- Sagar Ratna: A chain of South Indian restaurants serving dosas, idlis, vadas, etc.
- Rajinder Da Dhaba: A roadside eatery serving delicious Punjabi food like tandoori chicken and naan.
- Biryani Blues: Specializes in different types of biryanis like Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, etc.
- The Big Chill Cafe: A popular cafe known for its desserts like cheesecake and brownies.
- Chicken Inn Restaurant & Barbeque Grill House: Famous for its grilled chicken and kebabs.
- Chor Bizarre: Offers a range of Kashmiri dishes like rogan josh, yakhni pulao, etc.
- Sarvana Bhavan: Another South Indian restaurant chain serving authentic Tamil Nadu cuisine like dosas and sambar vada.
Parks and Recreation
- Buddha Jayanti Park
- Delhi Cantonment Board Park
- Army Golf Course
- Dhaula Kuan District Park
- Nehru Park
- Ridge Road Reserve Forest
- Shivaji Stadium and Sports Complex
- Delhi Cantonment Board Swimming Pool
- Palam Vihar Garden
- Cantonment Shopping Center