Delhi is the third-largest metropolis of India. It is growing fast both in terms of population and area, and is poised to become a global city in the near future. Delhi's population has grown from 2.38 million in 1911 to 12.79 million in 2001. In 2001, it was spread over 792 sq km, 18.3 times increase over its spatial extent a 43.3 sq km in 1911. It has surged ahead speedily in terms of its economic status as well. It is not only the centre of politics, but also of manufacturing and services. The per capita income of Delhi in 2001-02 was over INR 43,000 – double that of India's average per capita income.

The history of Delhi is rooted in the Mahabharata times; it was then known as Indraprastha, which according to popular belief was founded by the Pandavas. Coming down to the recorded history of Delhi, the Tomar Rajputs established the capital of their kingdom in the vicinity of Qutab Minar, in ad 736. They named it Lal Kot. When the Chauhans conquered Lal Kot, they renamed it as Quila Rai Pithora. Later, five more cities, within the geographical area of what is now known as Delhi, were created and eventually destroyed. They were: Siri, built by Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaqabad built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, Jahanpanah built by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Kotla Feroz Shah built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, Dinpanah built by Humayun, and finally Shahjahanabad, around the Red Fort built by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan.