🏛️ Introduction to Delhi
Delhi, the heart of India, has a history that stretches back thousands of years. In the great Indian epic Mahabharata, Delhi was known as Indraprastha, the magnificent capital city built by the Pandavas around 1200 BCE. Archaeological findings near the Purana Qila area link today’s Delhi with this ancient city.
Over centuries, Delhi became the seat of power for many dynasties – from the Delhi Sultanate (1206 CE) to the grand Mughal Empire, which gave the city its iconic monuments like the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Humayun’s Tomb. Later, the British developed New Delhi in 1911 as the capital of their Indian empire, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker.
Today, Delhi stands as a vibrant blend of history and modernity – a city where ancient ruins stand alongside metro rails, bustling markets, and world-class institutions. It is not just the National Capital Territory (NCT) but also a symbol of India’s political, cultural, and historical journey.
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
-
Delhi has been the capital of India since which year?
a) 1911 ✅
b) 1947
c) 1950
d) 1858 -
Who was the first Sultan of Delhi?
a) Iltutmish
b) Qutub-ud-din Aibak ✅
c) Balban
d) Alauddin Khilji -
The Jama Masjid in Delhi was built by:
a) Humayun
b) Akbar
c) Shah Jahan ✅
d) Aurangzeb -
The Red Fort in Delhi was built by which Mughal emperor?
a) Akbar
b) Shah Jahan ✅
c) Aurangzeb
d) Humayun -
Delhi is officially known as:
a) National Territory
b) Union Capital
c) National Capital Territory (NCT) ✅
d) Federal Capital -
Which river flows through Delhi?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna ✅
c) Narmada
d) Saraswati -
The Parliament House of India was designed by:
a) Le Corbusier
b) Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker ✅
c) Charles Correa
d) Hafeez Contractor -
Delhi Metro was inaugurated in which year?
a) 1998
b) 2000
c) 2002 ✅
d) 2005 -
Which UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi is also a minaret?
a) Lotus Temple
b) Qutub Minar ✅
c) Humayun’s Tomb
d) Safdarjung Tomb -
The India Gate in Delhi was built in memory of:
a) 1857 Revolt martyrs
b) Soldiers of World War I ✅
c) Jallianwala Bagh victims
d) Quit India leaders -
Akshardham Temple in Delhi was inaugurated in which year?
a) 2000
b) 2002
c) 2005 ✅
d) 2007 -
Which Delhi stadium is named after India’s first Prime Minister?
a) Feroz Shah Kotla
b) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ✅
c) Ambedkar Stadium
d) Indira Gandhi Arena -
Which market in Delhi is the largest wholesale spice market in Asia?
a) Chandni Chowk
b) Sarojini Market
c) Khari Baoli ✅
d) INA Market -
Which famous temple in Delhi is shaped like a lotus flower?
a) Birla Mandir
b) Lotus Temple ✅
c) Akshardham
d) ISKCON Temple -
Delhi has how many UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
a) 2
b) 3 ✅ (Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb)
c) 4
d) 5 -
Who laid the foundation of Tughlaqabad city in Delhi?
a) Alauddin Khilji
b) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq ✅
c) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
d) Firoz Shah Tughlaq -
Which emperor shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi and built Shahjahanabad?
a) Akbar
b) Babur
c) Shah Jahan ✅
d) Aurangzeb -
The Iron Pillar that never rusts is located near:
a) Red Fort
b) Qutub Minar ✅
c) India Gate
d) Jama Masjid -
In which year did Delhi host the Commonwealth Games?
a) 2006
b) 2008
c) 2010 ✅
d) 2012 -
Delhi shares its boundary with how many states?
a) 2
b) 3 ✅ (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan)
c) 4
d) 5
B. One-line Questions & Answers
History & Heritage
1. Q: Who founded Delhi Sultanate?
A: Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
2. Q: Whose tomb in Delhi is a precursor to the Taj Mahal?
A: Humayun’s Tomb.
3. Q: Which fort in Delhi was the seat of Mughal emperors?
A: Red Fort.
Culture & Traditions
4. Q: Delhi is famous for which handloom fabric?
A: Zari and embroidery works.
5. Q: Which festival is celebrated with a grand parade at Rajpath?
A: Republic Day.
Fame & Achievements
6. Q: Delhi is the ______ largest urban area in the world.
A: 2nd.
7. Q: Which international airport is in Delhi?
A: Indira Gandhi International Airport.
8. Q: Which major IT and trade hub lies near Delhi?
A: Gurgaon / Noida (NCR).
9. Q: Delhi Metro is among the ______ largest metro networks in the world.
A: Top 10.
10. Q: Delhi is home to the largest wholesale spice market in Asia. What is it called?
A: Khari Baoli.
Unknown Facts
11. Q: Which pillar in Delhi never rusts even after 1600 years?
A: Iron Pillar of Mehrauli.
12. Q: Delhi has been destroyed and rebuilt how many times in history?
A: 7 times.
13. Q: Which stadium in Delhi hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games?
A: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
14. Q: How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Delhi?
A: 3.
