At a time when the ‘talkies’ were just about beginning to gain popularity around the world, New Delhi’s theatres cashed in on this craze in the 1930s and the 40s. The famed quartet —  Plaza, Regal, Rivoli and Odeon — started out screening offerings from tinseltown but graduated to occupying a permanent spot on the national Capital’s mind space. HT rediscovers.

The beginnings of the New Delhi Municipal Council were made only a couple of years after Delhi was proclaimed as India’s new capital (in 1911). HT rediscovers.

Taking its name from Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, some iconic shops in this central plaza easily rivalled high-end European stores in the 1940s. HT rediscovers.

The Delhi Police had its beginnings in a humble ward system in the hands of the assistant of a British ‘resident’ in 1803. More than a century later, in 1911, things changed drastically for the force. Dressed to police | Women in uniform | Weapons over the ages | The Delhi traffic police car-nama

Construction of New Delhi, the new capital of India, was one of the biggest construction endeavours in the world at that time. The Capital was inaugurated in 1931 and then began the new challenge: Managing the new city. Sidhartha Roy reports. Interesting Anecdotes

In the 1930s and for most of 1940s, Delhi was a study in contrast. Sidhartha Roy reports.

The Viceroy's House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) atop Raisina Hill forms the epitome of New Delhi, the new imperial capital. But it is the pristine white bungalows set amidst sprawling lawns and dense trees that form the basis of the British plan of building the new capital as a garden city. Nivedita Khandekar writes.

"This remains a colossal and most wonderful achievement and should make father's name go down in history as one of the architect of all time," wrote Lady Emily, wife of Edwin Lutyens, to her children after attending the inaugural celebrations of the new capital in February 1931. Nivedita Khandekar writes.

Occupied for only 2-3 months in a year, palaces added to New Delhi’s ensemble of architectural marvels

If there is one iconic structure that anyone around the world can identify Delhi with, it is the India Gate. Sidhartha Roy reports.

After the Government House, the most imposing building of New Delhi, the Secretariat with its two arms — North and South Blocks — were the second most important buildings of the Capital to house the all important British bureaucracy. Sidhartha Roy reports.

When you think of the Parliament House, the seat of Indian democracy, the first image that comes to the mind is that of a majestic circular building with its landmark colonnaded verandah. Hard to imagine, then, that the building was originally planned to be a triangular structure.

The Parliament House, earlier known as the Council House, was built to accommodate the growing participation of Indians in the British Government. The circular structure now houses the largest democracy of the world.

The initial inspiration for the layout of New Delhi, it is believed, came from Washington DC and that of the Government House from Capitol Hill of the same city. However, by the time the Viceroy’s House came up, it showcased a unique confluence of western and Indian styles. Sidhartha Roy writes.