The city was planned and built as a capital city, and was so named when the then British rulers moved the capital of British India to it in 1911 from Calcutta. It was built to the south of the older urban area, sometimes known as 'old Delhi'; or the 'old city'. It continued to be the capital of independent India. Now there are plans afoot to give New Delhi complete statehood.

The plan of the city was developed by architect Edwin Lutyens. Most of the institutions of the central government of India are still located in this area.

Events

• 5th Asian women's hockey championship: January 31, 2004 to February 5, 2004. This was announced by the All India Women's Hockey Federation President Vidya Stokes on December 31, 2003.