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{{About|a location in [[New Delhi]], [[India]]|other places with the same name|Connaught Place (disambiguation){{!}}Connaught Place}}
{{About|a location in [[New Delhi]], India|other places with the same name|Connaught Place (disambiguation){{!}}Connaught Place}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                           =Rajiv Chowk
| name               = Connaught Place
| native_name_lang               =  
| native_name_lang   =  
| other_name                      = Connaught Place
| official_name      = Rajiv Chowk
| settlement_type                 = Business District
| settlement_type   = Business district
| image_skyline               = Skyline at Rajiv Chowk.JPG
| image_skyline     = Skyline at Rajiv Chowk.JPG
| image_alt                       =  
| image_size        = 300px
| image_caption                   = Panoramic view of inner circle and central park in Rajiv Chowk.
| image_alt         =  
| nickname                       =RC/CP
| image_caption     = Panoramic view of the inner circle and central park in Connaught Place
| image_map                       =  
| nickname           = CP
| map_alt                         =  
| image_map         =  
| map_caption                     =  
| map_alt           =  
| pushpin_map                     = India New Delhi
| map_caption       =  
| pushpin_label_position         =  
| pushpin_map       = India New Delhi
| pushpin_map_alt                 =  
| pushpin_label_position =  
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in New Delhi, India
| pushpin_map_alt   =  
| coordinates                     = {{coord|28|37|58|N|77|13|11|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in New Delhi, India
| subdivision_type               = Country
| coordinates       = {{coord|28|37|58|N|77|13|11|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_name               = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_type1               = State
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type1 = Union Territory
| subdivision_type3               = Metro
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Delhi]]
| subdivision_type3 = Metro
| subdivision_name2               = [[New Delhi]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Delhi]]
| subdivision_name3               = <!-- for neighbourhoods/suburbs only -->
| subdivision_name2 = [[New Delhi]]
| established_title               = <!-- Established -->
| subdivision_name3 = <!-- for neighbourhoods/suburbs only -->
| established_date               =  
| established_title = <!-- Established -->
| founder                         =  
| established_date   =  
| named_for                       = [[Rajeev Gandhi]], Former Prime Minister of India.
| founder           =  
| government_type                 =  
| named_for         = [[Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn|Prince Arthur]] (Connaught Place)<br/>[[Rajiv Gandhi]] (Rajiv Chowk)
| governing_body                 = [[New Delhi Municipal Council]]
| government_type   =  
| unit_pref                       = Metric
| governing_body     = [[New Delhi Municipal Council]]
| area_footnotes                 =  
| unit_pref         = Metric
| area_total_km2                 =  
| area_footnotes     =  
| area_rank                       =  
| area_total_km2     =  
| elevation_footnotes             =  
| area_rank         =  
| elevation_m                     =  
| elevation_footnotes =  
| population_total               =  
| elevation_m       =  
| population_as_of               =  
| population_total   =  
| population_footnotes           =  
| population_as_of   =  
| population_density_km2         = auto
| population_footnotes =  
| population_rank                 =  
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym             =  
| population_rank   =  
| demographics_type1             = Languages
| population_demonym =  
| demographics1_title1           = Official
| demographics_type1 =  
| demographics1_info1             = {{hlist|[[Hindi]]<ref name="OLA 2000">{{cite web|url=http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/d09fd2004bd07ad9a305ab56803943f0/Delhi+Official+Languages+Act+2000.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&lmod=-344844204|title=Official Language Act 2000|date=2 July 2003|publisher=Government of Delhi|access-date=17 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084459/http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/d09fd2004bd07ad9a305ab56803943f0/Delhi+Official+Languages+Act+2000.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&lmod=-344844204|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> }}
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_title2           = Additional&nbsp;official
| demographics1_info1 =  
| demographics1_info2             = {{hlist| [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]|[[Urdu language|Urdu]]<ref name="OLA 2000" /> }}
| demographics1_title2 =  
| timezone1                       = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| demographics1_info2 =  
| utc_offset1                     = +5:30
| timezone1         = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| postal_code_type               = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| utc_offset1       = +5:30
| postal_code                     = 110001<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldpostalcodes.org/en/india/pin-code/110001|title=India PIN Code 110001 Profile and Map|website=www.worldpostalcodes.org|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref>
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| registration_plate             =  
| postal_code       = 110001<ref>{{cite news |title=Connaught Place Pin Code |url=https://news.abplive.com/pincode/delhi/central-delhi/connaught-place-pincode-110001.html |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=ABP}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec1               = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| registration_plate =  
| blank1_info_sec1               = [[New Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency)|New Delhi]]
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| website                         =  
| blank1_info_sec1   = [[New Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency)|New Delhi]]
| footnotes                       =  
| website           =  
| blank2_name_sec1               = Civic agency
| footnotes         =  
| blank2_info_sec1               = [[New Delhi Municipal Council|NDMC]]
| blank2_name_sec1   = Civic agency
| blank2_info_sec1   = [[New Delhi Municipal Council|NDMC]]
| blank3_name_sec1  = Public transit
| blank3_info_sec1  = {{ric|Delhi Metro}} {{rcb|Delhi Metro|Blue|croute}} {{rcb|Delhi Metro|Yellow|croute}}<br />[[Rajiv Chowk metro station|Rajiv Chowk]]
}}
}}


'''Connaught Place''' (officially known as '''Rajiv Chowk''') is one of the main financial, commercial and business centres in [[New Delhi]], [[India]]. Colloquially, Connaught Place or '''CP''' or Rajiv Chowk are interchangeably used. It houses the headquarters of several noted Indian firms and is a major shopping, nightlife and tourist destination in New Delhi. It was designed by [[Robert Tor Russell]]. As of July 2018, Rajiv Chowk was the ninth most expensive office location in the world with an annual rent of {{convert|153|$/sqft|$/m2|order=flip}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/connaught-place-worlds-9th-most-expensive-office-location/article24393852.ece|title='Connaught Place world's 9th most expensive office location'|agency=Press Trust of India|date=12 July 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/new-delhis-connaught-place-worlds-9th-most-expensive-office-location-with-annual-rent-of-153-per-sq-ft-cbre/1240054/|title=New Delhi's Connaught Place world's 9th most expensive office location with annual rent of $153 per sq ft: CBRE|date=11 July 2018|work=The Financial Express|access-date=15 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/ivideos/connaught-place-is-ranked-the-worlds-9th-most-expensive-office-location-1811759.html|title=Connaught Place Is Ranked The World's 9th Most Expensive Office Location|work=News18|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref>
'''Connaught Place''', also known as '''Rajiv Chowk''' or '''CP''', is one of the main financial, commercial and [[Central business district|business centres]] in [[New Delhi]], Delhi, India.<ref name="RajivChowk">{{cite news |last1=Brijnath |first1=Rohit |date=15 September 1995 |title=Govt comes under fire over renaming of Connaught Place |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19950915-govt-comes-under-fire-over-renaming-of-connaught-place-807756-1995-09-15 |access-date=18 March 2022 |work=India Today |language=en}}</ref> It houses the headquarters of several noted Indian firms and is a major shopping, nightlife, and tourist destination in New Delhi. As of July 2018, Connaught Place ranked as the ninth most expensive office location in the world, with an annual rent of $1,650 per square metre ($153 per sq ft).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/connaught-place-worlds-9th-most-expensive-office-location/article24393852.ece|title='Connaught Place world's 9th most expensive office location'|agency=Press Trust of India|date=12 July 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/new-delhis-connaught-place-worlds-9th-most-expensive-office-location-with-annual-rent-of-153-per-sq-ft-cbre/1240054/|title=New Delhi's Connaught Place world's 9th most expensive office location with annual rent of $153 per sq ft: CBRE|date=11 July 2018|work=The Financial Express|access-date=15 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/ivideos/connaught-place-is-ranked-the-worlds-9th-most-expensive-office-location-1811759.html|title=Connaught Place Is Ranked The World's 9th Most Expensive Office Location|date=14 July 2018|work=News18|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref>


The main commercial area of the new city, New Delhi, occupies a place of pride in the city and are counted among the top heritage structures in New Delhi. It was developed as a showpiece of [[Lutyens' Delhi]] with a prominent Central Business District (Delhi), construction work began in 1929 and was completed in 1933. Re-named in 2013 after former Prime Minister of India, [[Rajiv Gandhi]].
Connaught Place, considered the principal commercial hub of the [[Lutyens' Delhi|new city]], holds a place of pride and is recognized as one of the top heritage structures in New Delhi. Developed as a showpiece of [[Lutyens' Delhi]], Connaught Place features a prominent Central Business District (CBD). Christened after [[Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn]], construction work began in 1929 and was completed in 1933. It was designed by [[Robert Tor Russell]]. Although Connaught Place was officially renamed in 1995 after former Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]], the term "Rajiv Chowk" is seldom used, with locals and officials alike continuing to refer to it as Connaught Place.<ref name="RajivChowk" />


The area today falls under the jurisdiction of [[New Delhi Municipal Council]] (NDMC) and is therefore allotted a high priority in term of funds for maintenance and upkeep.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Delhi Municipal Council |url=https://www.ndmc.gov.in/nsitemap.aspx |website=www.ndmc.gov.in |access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> New Delhi Traders Association ([https://myconnaughtplace.com/ NDTA]) is the association of establishments (like retails stores, restaurants ,halls, offices) in Rajiv Chowk. NDTA also plays a major role in liaising with government bodies like NDMC in order to represent the commercial interests and maintenance issues of Rajiv Chowk establishments.
An underground [[Delhi Metro]] station built beneath Connaught Place is named [[Rajiv Chowk metro station|Rajiv Chowk]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/434849/NEW-DELHI-RENAMES-BRITISH-SITES-TO-HONOR-THE-GANDHIS.html?pg=all | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708080323/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/434849/NEW-DELHI-RENAMES-BRITISH-SITES-TO-HONOR-THE-GANDHIS.html?pg=all | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 July 2014 | title=New Delhi renames 'British' sites to honour the Gandhis | date=21 August 1995 | access-date=14 July 2014 | agency=[[Associated Press]] | publisher=[[Deseret News]]}}</ref>
 
A [[Delhi Metro|metro]] railway station built under it is also named [[Rajiv Chowk metro station|Rajiv Chowk]] (after [[Rajiv Gandhi]]).<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/434849/NEW-DELHI-RENAMES-BRITISH-SITES-TO-HONOR-THE-GANDHIS.html?pg=all | title=New Delhi renames 'British' sites to honour the Gandhis | date=21 August 1995 | access-date=14 July 2014 | agency=[[Associated Press]] | publisher=[[Deseret News]]}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Prior to the construction of Rajiv Chowk, the area was a ridge, covered with ''[[Acacia nilotica subsp. indica|kikar]]'' trees and populated with jackals and wild pigs. Residents of the [[Kashmiri Gate (Delhi)|Kashmere Gate]], [[Civil Lines]] area visited during the weekends for [[partridge]] hunting.<ref name="ht"/> The [[Hanuman Temple, Connaught Place|Hanuman Temple]] attracted many visitors from the [[Old Delhi|old walled city]], who came only on Tuesdays and Saturdays and before sunset, as the return trip was considered dangerous.<ref name="ht"/>
In the centuries preceding the construction of Connaught Place, the area encompassing Connaught Place was a ridge, covered with ''[[Acacia nilotica subsp. indica|kikar]]'' trees and populated with jackals and wild pigs. Residents of [[Kashmiri Gate (Delhi)|Kashmere Gate]] and [[Civil Lines]] paid visits to the area during the weekends for [[partridge]] hunting.<ref name="ht"/> The [[Hanuman Temple, Connaught Place|Hanuman Temple]] attracted many visitors from the [[Old Delhi|old walled city]], who visited only on Tuesdays and Saturdays and before sunset, as the return trip was considered dangerous.<ref name="ht"/>


Residents of villages including ''Madhoganj'', ''Jaisingh Pura'' and ''Raja ka Bazaar'' were evicted to clear the area for the construction of Rajiv Chowk and the development of its nearby areas. The villages were once situated along the historic Qutb Road, the main road connecting [[Shahjahanabad]], the walled city of Delhi (now known as [[Old Delhi]]) to [[Qutb Minar]] in South Delhi city since the [[Mughal era]]. The displaced people were relocated in [[Karol Bagh]] to the west, a rocky area populated only by trees and wild bushes. However, three structures were spared demolition. These were Hanuman temple, a Jain temple in Jaisinghpura and the [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]].<ref>{{cite news|title=A tale of two cities |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/A-tale-of-two-cities/Article1-740282.aspx |work=Hindustan Times|date=1 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702164816/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/A-tale-of-two-cities/Article1-740282.aspx |archive-date=2 July 2015 }}</ref><ref name=ht2013/>
Residents of villages including ''Madhoganj'', ''Jaisingh Pura'' and ''Raja ka Bazaar'' were evicted to clear the area for the construction of Connaught Place and the development of its nearby areas in the early twentieth century. The villages once straddled the historic Qutb Road, the primary route connecting [[Old Delhi|Shahjahanabad]], the walled city of Delhi (now Old Delhi), to [[Qutb Minar]], on Delhi's southern edge, since the Mughal era. The displaced people were relocated in [[Karol Bagh]] to the west, a rocky region that had previously been populated only by trees and wild bushes. However, three structures were spared demolition. These comprised the Hanuman temple, a Jain temple in Jaisingh Pura, and the [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Roy |first=Sidhartha |date=1 September 2011 |title=A tale of two cities |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/A-tale-of-two-cities/Article1-740282.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702164816/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/A-tale-of-two-cities/Article1-740282.aspx |archive-date=2 July 2015 |access-date=10 April 2022}}</ref><ref name=ht2013/>


===Construction===
===Construction===
[[File:Connaught Place New Delhi.jpg|thumb|[[Robert Tor Russell]] was the architect of Rajiv Chowk|alt=|left]]
[[File:Connaught Place New Delhi.jpg|thumb|[[Robert Tor Russell]] was the architect of Connaught Place|alt=|left]]
Plans for the development of a central business district took shape as the construction of the new capital of [[British India]] began to assume traction. Headed by W.H. Nicholls, the chief architect to the [[Government of India]], the plans featured a central plaza based on the European Renaissance and in the Classical style. However, Nicholls left India in 1917, and with [[Edwin Lutyens|Lutyens]] and [[Herbert Baker|Baker]] preoccupied with the construction of larger buildings in the capital, design of the plaza was eventually entrusted with [[Robert Tor Russell]], chief architect of the [[Central Public Works Department|Public Works Department]] (PWD), [[British Raj|Government of India]], who collaborated with [[Sir Sobha Singh|Sobha Singh]] in the [[construction of New Delhi]].


Plans to have a central business district were developed as the construction of the new capital of imperial India began to take shape. Headed by [[W.H. Nicholls]], the chief architect to the [[Government of India]], the plans featured a central plaza based on the European Renaissance and in the Classical style. However Nicholls left India in 1917, and with [[Edwin Lutyens|Lutyens]] and [[Herbert Baker|Baker]] busy working on larger buildings in the capital, design of the plaza eventually fell to [[Robert Tor Russell]], chief architect to the [[Central Public Works Department|Public Works Department]] (PWD), Government of India.<ref name="ht"/>
Originally barren and arid, the area saw its first development with the construction of Sujan Singh Block A (now Wenger’s Block), followed by Blocks B and C, then Scindia House block, Regal Building, Rivoli Cinema, and the American Express block. These properties were built and privately owned by [[Sobha Singh (builder)|Sobha Singh]] as the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British Government]] aimed to ensure Delhi had a blend of official and private spaces.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Connaught Place - Delhi, Legacy - Coming Full Circle |url=https://www.indiaprofile.com/heritage/cp-delhi.htm |website=www.indiaprofile.com |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> Subsequently, Sardar Bahadur Dharam Singh Sethi and Sardar Bahadur Narain Singh of Akoi joined in developing the area, constructing buildings such as the Odeon Cinema and structures on the southern side.<ref name=":0" />


The area was originally named Connaught Place by the British after the Duke of Connaught, an uncle of King George V. It referred by this name until it was re-named Rajiv Chowk in 2013, re-named after former [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Rajiv Gandhi]].
Connaught Place was named after [[Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn|Prince Arthur]], the 1st [[Duke of Connaught and Strathearn|Duke of Connaught]] (1850–1942), the third son of [[Queen Victoria]] and uncle of [[George VI|King George VI]]. Prince Arthur visited India in 1921 and laid the foundation of the Council House (now [[Old Parliament House, New Delhi|Sansad Bhavan]], or Parliament House). In 2013, Connaught Place was renamed Rajiv Chowk, in honor of former Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]].


Rajiv Chowk's [[Georgian architecture]] is modelled after the [[Royal Crescent]] in [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], designed by the architect [[John Wood the Younger]] and built between 1767 and 1774. While the Royal Crescent is semi-circular and a three storied residential structure, Rajiv Chowk had only two floors, which made almost a complete circle intended to house commercial establishments on the ground with residential space on the first floor.<ref name="ht">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/CP-s-blueprint-Bath-s-Crescent/Article1-659739.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103040022/http://www.hindustantimes.com/CP-s-blueprint-Bath-s-Crescent/Article1-659739.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |title=CP's blueprint: Bath's Crescent |date=8 February 2011 |work=Hindustan Times }}</ref> The circle was eventually designed with two concentric circles, creating an Inner Circle, Middle Circle and the Outer Circle with seven roads radiating from a circular central park known as Radial Roads. As per the original plan, the different blocks of Rajiv Chowk were to be joined from above, employing archways, with radial roads below them. However, the circle was 'broken up' to give it a grander scale. Even the blocks were originally planned to be {{convert|172|m}} in height but later reduced to the present two-storied structure with an open colonnad
Connaught Place's [[Georgian architecture]] is modelled after the [[Royal Crescent]] in [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], designed by the architect [[John Wood the Younger]] and built between 1767 and 1774. While the Royal Crescent is semi-circular and a three-storied residential structure, Connaught Place consists of two floors, which made almost a complete circle intended to house commercial establishments on the ground with residential space on the first floor.<ref name="ht">{{cite news |date=8 February 2011 |last=Roy |first=Sidhartha |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/CP-s-blueprint-Bath-s-Crescent/Article1-659739.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103040022/http://www.hindustantimes.com/CP-s-blueprint-Bath-s-Crescent/Article1-659739.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |title=CP's blueprint: Bath's Crescent |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=10 April 2022}}</ref> The circle was eventually designed with two concentric circles, creating an Inner Circle, Middle Circle and the Outer Circle with seven roads radiating from a circular central park known as Radial Roads. As per the original plan, the different blocks of Connaught Place were to be joined from above, employing archways, with radial roads below them. However, the circle was 'broken up' to give it a grander scale. Even the blocks were originally planned to be {{convert|172|m}} in height but later reduced to the present two-storied structure with an open colonnade.


Government plans to have [[New Delhi Railway Station]] built inside Central Park were rejected by railway authorities as they found the idea impractical, and instead chose the nearby [[Paharganj]] area. Finally construction work began in 1929, with the construction of t[[Viceroy's house|ero]][[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Secretariat Building]], [[Sansad Bhavan|Parliament House]], and All-India War Memorial, [[India Gate]] were completed by 1933, long after the inauguration of the city in 1931.<ref name="ht"/><ref name="me"/>
Government plans to have [[New Delhi Railway Station]] built inside Central Park were rejected by railway authorities as they found the idea impractical, and instead, chose the nearby [[Paharganj]] area. Construction work began in 1929, with the [[Viceroy's House]] (now known as the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapati Bhavan]], the seat of the [[President of India]]), [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Secretariat Building]], [[Sansad Bhavan|Parliament House]], and [[India Gate]] (previously known as the All-India War Memorial) completed by 1933, well after the city's inauguration in 1931.<ref name="ht"/><ref name="me"/>


===Early years===
===Early years===
[[File:Central Park, Connaught Place (view from Parikarma restaurant).jpg|thumb|260px|View of the Central Park and Inner Circle of Rajiv Chowk. |alt=]]Early commercial establishments belonged to traders from the Kashmere Gate area: Kanter's, Galgotia and Snowhite. Some of the other oldest and still existing establishments include Ram Chandra & Sons (since 1935), Novex (since 1937), Dhoomi Mal Gallery (since 1936),<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 May 2018|title=How India's first private art gallery introduced modern masters to the world|url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/culture/indias-first-private-art-gallery-introduced-modern-masters-world|access-date=12 October 2020|website=The Sunday Guardian Live|language=en-US}}</ref> Vaish at Rivoli (since 1939), Indian Arts Palace (since 1935),<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 March 2012|title=Indian Paintings Getting New Attention from Museums and Collectors|url=http://www.artandantiquesmag.com/2012/03/indian-paintings-getting-new-attention-from-collectors/|access-date=12 October 2020|website=Art & Antiques Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> Mahatta & Company (since 1947).<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 February 2011|title=A number of shops at Connaught Place boast of a rich legacy|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/a-number-of-shops-at-connaught-place-boast-of-a-rich-legacy/story-wtmL7ipsnEjqkgmVz2nWdI.html|access-date=9 October 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Most of the rulers of the Indian [[princely states]] had their local homes in the nearby areas around King's way (modern-day [[Rajpath]]), and would frequent shops for designer clothes, artefacts, shoes, and pianos. [[Regal Theatre, New Delhi|Regal cinema]], the first cinema in Rajiv Chowk, opened around this time and went on to host popular concerts, theatre groups, and ballet performances. The Odeon and Rivoli followed the Regal, while the Indian Talkie House opened in 1938.<ref name="ht"/><ref name="me">{{cite news|title=Breathing life into New Delhi|date=8 February 2011|work=Hindustan Times, Metro|page=4}}</ref><ref name="htn"/> Initially only Indian snacks were available in the area, but gradually restaurants opened in the plaza, with names like Kwality, United Coffee House and others offering Continental and Mughlai cuisines.<ref>{{cite news |title=100 years of Dilli Khana |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/life/article2071297.ece |publisher=[[Business Line]] |year=2011 }}</ref> Wenger's, the confectioners, was one of the first shops in Rajiv Chowk, the firm also owned the largest restaurant in New Delhi on the first floor of their present A-Block outlet. Originally established in 1926 as Spencers in Kashmere Gate, Wenger's was owned by a Swiss couple and introduced Delhi to pastries and homemade [[Swiss chocolate]]s, though in its early years it too was patronised mostly by British officers, Indian royalty and some foreign-returned businessmen, for Delhi was still the city of classical taste within the walled city. Over the years Wenger's started another shop right beside their previous one in Rajiv Chowk's A Block, which earlier belonged to Harnarains, a Pickle brand that has been in existence since 1860s. Harnarains currently operates under the name Harnarains International. Davico's across Connaught Plaza, and the Standard restaurant was popular for decades before fading away. Another old timer, the Embassy Restaurant, opened in 1948.<ref name="htn">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/The-heart-of-Delhi-even-then/Article1-660169.aspx |title=The heart of Delhi, even then |date=9 February 2011 |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211214749/http://www.hindustantimes.com/The-heart-of-Delhi-even-then/Article1-660169.aspx |archive-date=11 February 2011 }}</ref>
[[File:Central Park, Connaught Place (view from Parikarma restaurant).jpg|thumb|260px|View of the Central Park and the inner circle of Connaught Place |alt=]]Early commercial establishments belonged to traders from the Kashmere Gate area: Harnarain Gopinath (Harnarains), Kanter's, Galgotia and Snowhite. Some of the other oldest and still-extant establishments include Ram Chandra & Sons (1935), Novex (1937), Dhoomi Mal Gallery (1936),<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 May 2018|title=How India's first private art gallery introduced modern masters to the world|url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/culture/indias-first-private-art-gallery-introduced-modern-masters-world|access-date=12 October 2020|website=The Sunday Guardian Live|language=en-US}}</ref> Vaish at Rivoli (1939), Indian Arts Palace (1935),<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 March 2012|title=Indian Paintings Getting New Attention from Museums and Collectors|url=http://www.artandantiquesmag.com/2012/03/indian-paintings-getting-new-attention-from-collectors/|access-date=12 October 2020|website=Art & Antiques Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> Mahatta & Company (1947).<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 February 2011|title=A number of shops at Connaught Place boast of a rich legacy|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/a-number-of-shops-at-connaught-place-boast-of-a-rich-legacy/story-wtmL7ipsnEjqkgmVz2nWdI.html|access-date=9 October 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
 
[[Regal Theatre, New Delhi|Regal Cinema]], the first cinema in Connaught Place, commenced operations around this time and went on to host popular concerts, theatre groups, and ballet performances. The Odeon and Rivoli followed the Regal, while the Indian Talkie House opened in 1938.<ref name="ht" /><ref name="me">{{cite news|title=Breathing life into New Delhi|date=8 February 2011|work=Hindustan Times, Metro|page=4}}</ref><ref name="htn" /> Initially, only Indian snacks were available in the area; gradually, restaurants opened in the plaza, with outlets like Kwality, United Coffee House and others offering [[European cuisine|Continental]] and [[Mughlai cuisine|Mughlai]] cuisines.<ref>{{cite news |title=100 years of Dilli khana |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/100-years-of-dilli-khana/article23030709.ece |access-date=10 April 2022 |work=Business Line |date=2 June 2011 |language=en}}</ref>  
 
Wenger's, the [[Confectionery|confectioners]], was one of the first shops in Connaught Place. The firm also owned New Delhi's largest restaurant, located on the first floor of their current A-Block outlet. Originally established in 1926 as Spencers in Kashmere Gate, Wenger's was owned by a Swiss couple and introduced Delhi to pastries and homemade Swiss chocolates. In its early years, it was primarily patronized by British officers, Indian royalty, and a few businessmen with international exposure, as Delhi remained a city of classical taste within the [[Walled city of Delhi|walled city]]. Over the years, Wenger's opened another shop adjacent to their original location in Connaught Place's A Block. This space had previously belonged to ''Harnarains'', a food processing brand established in the 1860s. ''Harnarains'' currently operates under the name Harnarains International. Davico's, located across Connaught Plaza, and the Standard restaurant were popular for decades before eventually fading away. Another long-standing establishment, the Embassy Restaurant, opened in 1948.<ref name="htn">{{cite news |last=Dastidar |first=Avishek G |date=9 February 2011 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/The-heart-of-Delhi-even-then/Article1-660169.aspx |title=The heart of Delhi, even then |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211214749/http://www.hindustantimes.com/The-heart-of-Delhi-even-then/Article1-660169.aspx |archive-date=11 February 2011 |access-date=10 April 2022}}</ref>


[[New Delhi]]'s first [[luxury hotel]] opened in 1931 on [[Janpath]] and eventually became a haunt for the royalty and a place for political discussions. It was here that [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], [[Mahatma Gandhi|Mohandas K. Gandhi]], [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] and [[Lord Mountbatten]] met to discuss the [[Partition of India]] and the birth of Pakistan.<ref>[http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/india/new-delhi/48951/the-imperial/hotel-detail.html The Imperial, New Delhi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113174248/http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/india/new-delhi/48951/the-imperial/hotel-detail.html |date=13 January 2011 }} ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref><ref>[http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=1777 Famous Hotels: Imperial New Delhi – the making of] By Andreas Augustin. 4hoteliers.com. 11 December 2006.</ref>
[[New Delhi]]'s first [[luxury hotel]], [[The Imperial, New Delhi|The Imperial]], established in 1936 in [[Janpath]], eventually became a haunt for the royalty and a place for political discussions. It was here that [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], [[Mahatma Gandhi|Mohandas K. Gandhi]], [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] and [[Lord Mountbatten]] met to discuss the [[Partition of India]] and the birth of Pakistan.<ref>[http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/india/new-delhi/48951/the-imperial/hotel-detail.html The Imperial, New Delhi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113174248/http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/india/new-delhi/48951/the-imperial/hotel-detail.html |date=13 January 2011 }} ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref><ref>[http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=1777 Famous Hotels: Imperial New Delhi – the making of] By Andreas Augustin. 4hoteliers.com. 11 December 2006.</ref>
[[File:The Jeevan Bharati building at Connaught Place, New Delhi.jpg|right|230px|thumb|''Jeevan Bharti'', [[Life Insurance Corporation of India|LIC]] building, Rajiv Chowk, Outer Circle, built in 1986]]
[[File:The Jeevan Bharati building at Connaught Place, New Delhi.jpg|right|230px|thumb|''Jeevan Bharti'', [[Life Insurance Corporation of India|LIC]] building, Connaught Place, Outer Circle, built in 1986]]
Residents gradually moved into first floor quarters, which were almost full by 1938, but it was another decade before the plaza became the busy marketplace that it became later, as World War II started and the Independence movement reached a feverish pitch. Markets experienced dwindling sales, but post-independence business began to increase in the 1950s.<ref name="ht"/><ref name="me"/><ref name="htn"/>
Residents of Connaught Place gradually moved into the first-floor quarters, which were nearly fully occupied by 1938. However, it took another decade for the plaza to transform into the bustling marketplace it would later become, as World War II began and the [[Indian independence movement]] intensified and reached a feverish pitch. Markets experienced dwindling sales, but post-independence business began to burgeon in the 1950s.<ref name="ht"/><ref name="me"/><ref name="htn"/>


===Post-independence===
===Post-independence===
Until the 1980s, a ''Phatphat Sewa'', a Harley Davidson [[Auto rickshaw|rickshaw]] service, took visitors from Connaught Place to the [[Red Fort]] and [[Chandani Chowk]], before it was stopped due to pollution concerns.<ref>{{cite book|last=Horton|first=Patrick |title=Delhi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ee1HTcplZS0C&pg=PA82 |year=2002|publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=1-86450-297-5|page=82}}</ref> The empty block of the Inner Circle came into use in the late 1970s with the construction of an underground market, the first in Delhi, ''[[Palika Bazaar]]'' at the junction point.  Stretching up to the Outer Circle, it also came with an adjoining underground parking lot. Also in the 1970s, the State Emporiums on Baba Karak Singh Marg radial emerged.<ref name=ht2013>{{cite web
Until the 1980s, a ''Phatphat Sewa'', a Harley Davidson [[Auto rickshaw|rickshaw]] service, took visitors from Connaught Place to the [[Red Fort]] and [[Chandani Chowk]], before it ceased operations due to pollution concerns.<ref>{{cite book|last=Horton|first=Patrick |title=Delhi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ee1HTcplZS0C&pg=PA82 |year=2002|publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=1-86450-297-5|page=82}}</ref> The empty block of the Inner Circle came into use in the late 1970s with the construction of an underground market, the first in Delhi, ''[[Palika Bazaar]]'', at the junction point.  Stretching up to the Outer Circle, it also came with an adjoining underground parking lot. Concurrently, the State Emporiums on Baba Karak Singh Marg radial emerged.<ref name=ht2013>{{cite news |last=Khandekar |first=Nivedita |date=2 June 2013 |title=A village that made way for CP |publisher=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/A-village-that-made-way-for-CP/Article1-1069594.aspx |access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109094504/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/A-village-that-made-way-for-CP/Article1-1069594.aspx |archive-date=9 January 2014 }}</ref> However, a major alteration in the skyline was the development of a skyscraper comprising red sandstone (inspired by the historic Red Fort) and glass, the ''Jeevan Bharti'' building (owned by the [[Life Insurance Corporation|LIC]]), which was designed by architect [[Charles Correa]]. In 1986, it towered over the low-lying, predominantly white Connaught Place and faced criticism for being too futuristic. However, as other skyscrapers were gradually built on the periphery, the debate faded away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/places/jeevanbhartibhawan.html|title=Jeewan Bharti|access-date=9 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521102227/http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/places/jeevanbhartibhawan.html|archive-date=21 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|title=A village that made way for CP  
|publisher=Hindustan Times  
|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/A-village-that-made-way-for-CP/Article1-1069594.aspx  
|date=2 June 2013 |access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead  
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109094504/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/A-village-that-made-way-for-CP/Article1-1069594.aspx  
|archive-date=9 January 2014 }}</ref> However, a major alteration in the skyline was the addition of red sandstone (inspired by the historic Red Fort) and glass skyscraper, the ''Jeevan Bharti'' building ([[Life Insurance Corporation of India|LIC]] building), designed by architect [[Charles Correa]]. In 1986, it towered over the low-lying and predominantly white Rajiv Chowk and was criticised for being too futuristic, but gradually as other skyscrapers were built on the periphery, the debate faded away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/places/jeevanbhartibhawan.html|title=Jeewan Bharti|access-date=9 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521102227/http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/places/jeevanbhartibhawan.html|archive-date=21 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Cinemas==
==Cinemas==
[[File:Regal cinema, Connaught Place, New Delhi.jpg|right|260px|thumb|Regal cinema, Connaught Place's first theatre, opened in 1932, built by [[Sir Sobha Singh]], designed by [[Walter Sykes George]].]]After the introduction of [[talkies]] to [[Indian cinema]] in 1931, the new medium became a craze and in the 1930s and the 40s, four theatres opened within Connaught Place Plaza: Regal, Rivoli, Odeon and a short-lived "Indian Talkie House" that opened in 1938. Connaught Place became the entertainment hub of New Delhi. The Regal, the first theatre in the area, was opened in 1932 by [[Sir Sobha Singh]]. It was designed by architect [[Walter Sykes George]] and mainly hosted stage performances. In the coming years it hosted Western Classical music artists, Russian ballet and British theatre groups, and soon started morning and afternoon movie shows. The next theatre to be built was the Plaza in 1940, designed by Sir Robert Tor Russell, the architect of Connaught Place itself. It was owned by director and actor [[Sohrab Modi]] until the early 1950s. The Odeon was built in 1945 and had the city's second 70mm screen after the "Shiela Cinema" in [[Paharganj]]. The Rivoli, close to the Regal, was the smallest theatre in the area. Half a century later most of the theatres were still running, although most had changed ownership. The Plaza and Rivoli are now owned by a multiplex giant [[PVR Cinemas]], while the Odeon is a joint venture with [[Reliance Big Pictures]].<ref name="ht"/><ref name=fourht>{{cite news|title=The famous four|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/Delhi100/The-famous-four/newdelhi/SP-Article10-745362.aspx|work=Hindustan Times|date=14 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023021832/http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/Delhi100/The-famous-four/newdelhi/SP-Article10-745362.aspx|archive-date=23 October 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Regal cinema, Connaught Place, New Delhi.jpg|right|260px|thumb|Regal Cinema, Connaught Place's first theatre, opened in 1932 and was designed by [[Walter Sykes George]]]]With the introduction of [[Sound film|talkies]] to Indian cinema in 1931, the new medium quickly gained immense popularity. In the 1930s and 1940s, four theaters opened within Connaught Place Plaza: Regal, Rivoli, Odeon, and the short-lived "Indian Talkie House," which opened in 1938.
Connaught Place sprouted as the entertainment hub of New Delhi. The Regal, the first theatre in the area, was opened in 1932 by [[Sir Sobha Singh]]. It was designed by architect [[Walter Sykes George]] and mainly hosted stage performances. In the coming years it hosted Western Classical music artists, Russian ballet and British theatre groups, and soon started morning and afternoon movie shows. The next theatre to be built was the Plaza in 1940, designed by Sir Robert Tor Russell, the architect of Connaught Place itself. It was owned by director and actor [[Sohrab Modi]] until the early 1950s.  
 
The Odeon was built in 1945 and had the city's second 70mm screen after the "Shiela Cinema" in [[Paharganj]]. The Rivoli, close to the Regal, was the smallest theatre in the area. Half a century later, while the vast majority of the theatres were still running, most changed ownership. The Plaza and Rivoli are now owned by multiplex giant [[PVR Cinemas|PVR INOX Cinemas]], while the Odeon runs as a joint venture with [[Reliance Big Pictures]].<ref name="ht" /><ref name="fourht">{{cite news|title=The famous four|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/Delhi100/The-famous-four/newdelhi/SP-Article10-745362.aspx|work=Hindustan Times|date=14 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023021832/http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/Delhi100/The-famous-four/newdelhi/SP-Article10-745362.aspx|archive-date=23 October 2012}}</ref>


==Today==
==Today==
[[File:Palika Bazar, Connaught Place, Delhi.jpg|left|220px|thumb|Entrance of the underground shopping complex, [[Palika Bazaar]], in Connaught Place, built in the 1970s]]
[[File:Palika Bazar, Connaught Place, Delhi.jpg|left|220px|thumb|Entrance of the underground shopping complex, [[Palika Bazaar]], which was constructed in the 1970s]]
[[File:Connaught Place.JPG|thumb|Connaught Place on a busy weekend]]
[[File:Connaught Place.JPG|thumb|Connaught Place on a busy weekend]]
The area is instantly recognisable on any map of Delhi as a big circle in the middle with radial roads spreading out in all directions. Eight separate roads lead out from Connaught Places's inner circle, named Parliament Street and Radial Roads 1 through 7. Twelve different roads lead out from Connaught Circus, the outer ring. The best known of these is [[Janpath]], the continuation of Radial Road 1. It is a logically planned area and houses one of India's first underground markets, the [[Palika Bazaar]] (Municipal Market), named after ''[[nagarpalika]]''. The Outer Circle is known as the Connaught Circus (officially Indira Chowk), having rows of restaurants, shops and hotels, and on 1 December 2017, The Regal Building was reopened as Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, the very first in India. The Middle Circle has offices, Banks, Exchange houses such as Thomascook, Atwexchange, PVR cinema and eating outlets.<ref>{{cite book|last= Brown|first=Lindsay|author2=Amelia Thomas|title=Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) |year=2008|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-690-8|page=99|chapter=Connaught Place & Around}}</ref>
The area is instantly recognisable on any map of Delhi as a giant circle in the middle with radial roads beaming in all directions. Eight separate roads extend from Connaught Place's inner circle, named Parliament Street and Radial Roads 1 through 7. Twelve different roads lead out from Connaught Circus, the outer ring. The best known of these is [[Janpath]], the continuation of Radial Road 1. Connaught Place is a logically planned area and is home to one of India’s first underground markets, the [[Palika Bazaar]] (Municipal Market), named after the Hindi term "nagarpalika" (municipal council).
 
The Outer Circle, known as Connaught Circus (officially Indira Chowk), consists of rows of restaurants, shops, and hotels. On December 1, 2017, the historic Regal Building was reopened as Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the first of its kind in India.The Middle Circle houses offices, banks, exchange facilities like Thomas Cook and ATW Exchange, a PVR theatre complex, and various dining outlets.<ref>{{cite book|last= Brown|first=Lindsay|author2=Amelia Thomas|title=Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) |year=2008|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-690-8|page=99|chapter=Connaught Place & Around}}</ref>


=== Central Park ===
=== Central Park ===
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| footer = Central Park, Connaught Place
| footer = Central Park, Connaught Place
}}
}}
Connaught Place's central park has long been a venue for cultural events and is a popular hangout for locals. In 2005–06, it was rebuilt after the construction of the [[Delhi Metro]] station below it. That station, [[Rajiv Chowk (Delhi Metro)|Rajiv Chowk]], is the interchange for the [[Yellow Line (Delhi Metro)|Yellow]] and [[Blue Line (Delhi Metro)|Blue]] lines of the Metro and one of the largest and busiest stations in the network.
The Central Park of Connaught Place has gained a reputation for hosting cultural events and is regarded as one of the city's top local hangouts. In 2005–06, Central Park was rebuilt following the construction of the Delhi Metro station beneath it. This station, [[Rajiv Chowk metro station|Rajiv Chowk]], serves as an interchange for the [[Yellow Line (Delhi Metro)|Yellow]] and [[Blue Line (Delhi Metro)|Blue]] lines and is one of the largest and busiest stations in the network.


Connaught Place hosts various cultural events in the central park area such as the Urdu Heritage Festival, One Billion Rising demonstrations, Delhi Government's Youth Festival, ''Awam Ki Awaz'' (Voices of People) concert and many others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sbcltr.in/2018/02/20/delhi-is-having-a-youth-festival/|title=Delhi Is Having A Youth Festival {{!}} sbcltr|website=sbcltr.in|language=en-US|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/urdu-heritage-festival-gets-a-makeover-to-be-held-in-cp-from-feb-15/story-fQ0lTwEZYN38OMPWGZumtN.html|title=Urdu Heritage Festival moves out of Old Delhi, will be held in Connaught Place from Feb 15|date=14 February 2018|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=19 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-govt-organises-voices-of-people-a-musical-platform-for-dissent/story-8d31LsDEpuurbT7TcMBvnI.html|title=Delhi govt organises 'Voices of People' a musical platform for dissent|date=30 November 2017|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=19 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/shubha-mudgals-concert-in-delhi-on-saturday-to-celebrate-communal-harmony-free-speech-5030346/|title=Shubha Mudgal's concert in Delhi on Saturday, to celebrate communal harmony, free speech|date=18 January 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=19 April 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
Connaught Place hosts various cultural events in the Central Park area such as the Urdu Heritage Festival, One Billion Rising demonstrations, Delhi Government's Youth Festival, ''Awam Ki Awaz'' (Voices of People) concert and many others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sbcltr.in/2018/02/20/delhi-is-having-a-youth-festival/|title=Delhi Is Having A Youth Festival {{!}} sbcltr|website=sbcltr.in|language=en-US|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/urdu-heritage-festival-gets-a-makeover-to-be-held-in-cp-from-feb-15/story-fQ0lTwEZYN38OMPWGZumtN.html|title=Urdu Heritage Festival moves out of Old Delhi, will be held in Connaught Place from Feb 15|date=14 February 2018|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=19 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-govt-organises-voices-of-people-a-musical-platform-for-dissent/story-8d31LsDEpuurbT7TcMBvnI.html|title=Delhi govt organises 'Voices of People' a musical platform for dissent|date=30 November 2017|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=19 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/shubha-mudgals-concert-in-delhi-on-saturday-to-celebrate-communal-harmony-free-speech-5030346/|title=Shubha Mudgal's concert in Delhi on Saturday, to celebrate communal harmony, free speech|date=18 January 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=19 April 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>


===National flag at Central Park===
===National flag at Central Park===
{{main|Flag of India at Central Park, Connaught Place}}
The first known Indian to hoist the [[Triband (flag)|tricolour]] flag at Connaught Place was Padma Shri Mir Mushtaq Ahmad, the first Chief Executive Councillor of Delhi. During the colonial era, when Connaught Place was seen as the heart of British imperial India, he would annually hoist the tricolour at the bandstand in Central Park on January 26. On March 7, 2014, the largest Indian national tricolour at that time (now the second largest) was erected at the centre of Central Park, measuring 90 by 60 feet (27 by 18 m), on a 207-foot (63 m) pole.<ref name="WSJ Bend">{{cite news|last1=Malhotra|first1=Aditi|title=Bending the Rules to Fly India's Largest Flag|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/03/12/bending-the-rules-to-fly-indias-largest-flag/|access-date=8 June 2014|work=Wall Street Journal – India|date=12 March 2014}}</ref>[[File:NewDelhi 2012-003.jpg|thumb|In 2012, the [[United Buddy Bears]] exhibition attracted more than 1 million visitors at Connaught Place]]
[[File:National Flag of India at Central Park.jpg|thumb|National Flag of India at Central Park, Connaught Place]]
[[File:NewDelhi 2012-003.jpg|thumb|In 2012 the [[United Buddy Bears]] exhibition attracted more than 1 million visitors at Connaught Place]]
 
The first known Indian to hoist the [[tricolour (flag)|tricolour]] flag at Connaught Place is Padma Shri Mir Mushtaq Ahmad, the first Chief Executive Councillor of Delhi. Prior to independence, when Connaught Place was considered the heart of imperial British India, he would hoist the tricolour at the bandstand in Central Park each year on 26 January. On 7 March 2014, the largest known Indian national tricolour at that time (now second largest) was hoisted at the centre of Central Park, measuring {{convert|90|by|60|ft}}. The pole on which it is hoisted measures {{convert|207|ft}}.<ref name="WSJ Bend">{{cite news|last1=Malhotra|first1=Aditi|title=Bending the Rules to Fly India's Largest Flag|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/03/12/bending-the-rules-to-fly-indias-largest-flag/|access-date=8 June 2014|work=Wall Street Journal – India|date=12 March 2014}}</ref>


==Delhi blasts==
==Delhi blasts==
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   | work = Los Angeles Times
   | work = Los Angeles Times
   | date = 14 September 2008
   | date = 14 September 2008
| url = http://articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/14/world/fg-india14
| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-14-fg-india14-story.html
   | access-date = 14 January 2009
   | access-date = 14 January 2009
}}</ref> Ten people were injured after police and witnesses said that the bombs went off in garbage cans in and around Connaught Place. There was also one bomb blast in nearby Central Park. Authorities also discovered two undetonated bombs in Delhi, one located at the Regal cinema complex in Connaught Place.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bruce Loudon |title=Hunt for Delhi bomb suspects |publisher=The Australian |date=15 September 2008 |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24344934-2703,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916092215/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C24344934-2703%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 September 2008 |access-date=14 January 2009 }}</ref> As a response, all rubbish bins were removed from the area for security reasons.
}}</ref> Ten people were injured; police and witnesses said that the bombs went off in garbage cans in and around Connaught Place. Another explosion occurred in the nearby Central Park. Authorities also discovered two undetonated bombs in Delhi, one of which was found at the Regal Cinema complex in Connaught Place.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bruce Loudon |title=Hunt for Delhi bomb suspects |publisher=The Australian |date=15 September 2008 |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24344934-2703,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916092215/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C24344934-2703%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 September 2008 |access-date=14 January 2009 }}</ref> As a response, all trashcans were removed from the area.


==Redevelopment plans==
==Redevelopment plans==
{{update section|date=June 2014}}
{{update section|date=June 2014}}
By the late 2000s, Rajiv Chowk had lost much of its old glory, although the charm of the market continued to attract foot traffic. As a part of its 'Return to Heritage Project', the [[New Delhi Municipal Council]] (NDMC) prepared a plan to revamp and redevelop this Delhi landmark. The plan included the provision of heritage sensitive signage, engineering improvements of roads, drainage sewerage, water supply and substations, development of a traffic management plan, provisions of street furniture including adequate parking, walkways etc. and enhancing the structural stability of all buildings including retrofitting for earthquake resistance. All these components have been identified based on studies conducted by various reputed agencies such as [[School of Planning and Architecture|SPA]], [[RITES]], CMCCC and NTPAC, etc.
Redevelopment work to revamp Connaught Place ahead of the [[2010 Commonwealth Games]] was slated for timely completion; however, owing to huge cost overruns and undue delays,<ref>{{cite news |date=4 August 2011 |title=CP restoration plan hit by undue delays: CAG |url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/article2321306.ece |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> this deadline was not met. The performance audit report prepared by [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]] on the Games concluded that there were "significant deficiencies in contract management, with consequent avoidable expenditure". Moreover, the mis-management and delays caused great inconvenience to shoppers and shop-owners alike, and led to a decline in trade.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bhasin |first=Ruhi |date=8 January 2010 |title=NDMC's digging frenzy in CP stalls traffic hits trade |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/NDMCs-digging-frenzy-in-CP-stalls-traffic-hits-trade/articleshow/5421640.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701131527/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-08/delhi/28146520_1_middle-circle-atul-bharghav-outer-circle |archive-date=1 July 2012 |access-date=10 April 2022 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Many outlet proprietors complained of erratic power supplies and lost air-conditioning in their shops during the renovation work.
[[File:View of Connaught Place at Night.JPG|300px|left|thumb|Rajiv Chowk commercial area at Night]]
The redevelopment work was slated to be completed in time for the [[2010 Commonwealth Games]] held at Delhi, but due to huge cost overruns and undue delays,<ref>{{cite news|title=CP restoration plan hit by undue delays: CAG|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/article2321306.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=4 August 2011}}</ref> this deadline was not met. The Performance Audit Report prepared by Controller and Auditor General, India, on the Commonwealth Games 2010 concluded that there were "significant deficiencies in contract management, with consequent avoidable expenditure". Moreover, the mis-management and delays caused great inconvenience to shoppers and shop-owners alike, and led to a decline in trade.<ref>{{cite news|title=NDMC's digging frenzy in CP stalls traffic hits trade|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-08/delhi/28146520_1_middle-circle-atul-bharghav-outer-circle|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701131527/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-08/delhi/28146520_1_middle-circle-atul-bharghav-outer-circle|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 July 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=8 January 2010}}</ref> Many store-owners complained of erratic power supplies and lost air-conditioning in their shops during the renovation work.
 
Work on the renovation was resumed soon after the Commonwealth Games, and is currently scheduled to meet the new deadline of December 2012. Till 2016 only the first phase for renovating blocks A & B has taken place. By 2020 all the six blocks of Rajiv Chowk would be renovated and brought to their original glory.


The art project [[United Buddy Bears]] was presented in Rajiv Chowk during the summer of 2012.
Another spate of renovation work on Connaught Place resumed shortly after the Commonwealth Games, with an initial completion target of December 2012. However, by 2016, only the first phase—renovation of Blocks A and B—had been completed. The plan aimed to restore all six blocks of Connaught Place to their former grandeur by 2020, although delays have affected the timeline.


On 5 January 2017, the Union Urban Development Ministry announced a plan to convert the middle and inner circles of Rajiv Chowk, into an exclusive pedestrian zone, starting February 2017. As a result, people driving into the area will now have to park their vehicles at designated parking slots like [[Shivaji Stadium]], [[Palika Bazaar]] and then either walk to Rajiv Chowk or use the shuttle bus service. However, [[Bicycles]] will be allowed in the pedestrian zones.
On 5 January 2017, the [[Ministry of Urban Development (India)|Union Urban Development Ministry]] announced a plan to convert the middle and inner circles of Connaught Place, into an exclusive pedestrian zone, starting February 2017. Under the auspices of the proposal, people driving into the area would have to park their vehicles at designated parking slots located at [[Shivaji Stadium]] and [[Palika Bazaar]] and subsequently proceed either on foot to Connaught Place or use the shuttle bus service. However, bicycles would have been allowed in the pedestrian zones. The plan was eventually scrapped as it was determined that the then-extant public infrastructure was incapable of sustaining the pedestrianisation proposal.
This move however does not have any planning as of 24 January 2017 and may be totally scrapped as the current infrastructure is insufficient to support the pedestrianisation of Rajiv Chowk, Naresh Kumar Chairman of NDMC Reported Hindustan Times.


By late 2020, Connaught Place had experienced a decline in its former grandeur, though it continued to attract visitors. In response, the [[New Delhi Municipal Council|New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)]] initiated several redevelopment projects to restore and enhance this iconic Delhi landmark. The plan included the provision of heritage sensitive signage, engineering improvements of roads, drainage sewerage, water supply and substations, development of a traffic management plan, provisions of street furniture including adequate parking, walkways etc. and enhancing the structural stability of all buildings including retrofitting for earthquake resistance. All these components have been identified based on studies conducted by various agencies such as [[School of Planning and Architecture|SPA]], [[RITES]], CMCCC, and NTPAC, etc.{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}
[[File:View of Connaught Place at Night.JPG|300px|left|thumb|Connaught Place at night]]
==Films==
==Films==
Over the years, Connaught Place has been location many films including sequences in ''[[Dil Se..]]'' (1998), ''[[Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi]]'' (2003), ''[[Pyaar Ke Side Effects]]'' (2006), ''[[3 Idiots]]'' (2009), ''[[Aisha (2010 film)|Aisha]]'' (2010), ''[[Delhi Belly (film)|Delhi Belly]]'' (2011), ''[[Rockstar (2011 film)|Rockstar]]'' (2011), ''[[Ahista Ahista (2006 film)|Ahista Ahista]]'' (2006), ''[[Agent Vinod (2012 film)|Agent Vinod]]'', ''[[Vicky Donor]]'' (2012),  ''[[Hate Story]]'' (2011), ''[[Special 26]]'' (2013), ''[[A Wednesday]]'' (2008), ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'' (2006), ''[[PK (film)|PK]]'' (2014) and ''[[2 States (2014 film)|2 States]]'' (2014).
Over the years, Connaught Place has been the location of many films including sequences in ''[[Dil Se..]]'' (1998), ''[[Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi]]'' (2003), ''[[Pyaar Ke Side Effects]]'' (2006), ''[[3 Idiots]]'' (2009), ''[[Aisha (2010 film)|Aisha]]'' (2010), ''[[Delhi Belly (film)|Delhi Belly]]'' (2011), ''[[Rockstar (2011 film)|Rockstar]]'' (2011), ''[[Ahista Ahista (2006 film)|Ahista Ahista]]'' (2006), ''[[Agent Vinod (2012 film)|Agent Vinod]]'', ''[[Vicky Donor]]'' (2012),  ''[[Hate Story]]'' (2011), ''[[Special 26]]'' (2013), ''[[A Wednesday]]'' (2008), ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'' (2006), ''[[PK (film)|PK]]'' (2014) and ''[[2 States (2014 film)|2 States]]'' (2014).


==Visitor attractions==
==Visitor attractions==
*[[Agrasen ki Baoli]], Connaught Place
*[[Agrasen ki Baoli|Agrasen's Baoli]], Connaught Place
* [[The Imperial, New Delhi]]
* [[The Imperial, New Delhi]]
* [[National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi]]
* [[National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi]]
* [[Madame Tussauds Delhi]]
* [[Madame Tussauds Delhi]]
* [[Jantar Mantar, Delhi]]


== Nearby areas ==
== Nearby areas ==
* Barakhamba Road and Kasturba Gandhi Marg - Major center for prominent international banks and other large corporate offices.
* Barakhamba Road and Kasturba Gandhi Marg: Hubs for prominent international banks and corporate offices.
* Janpath and Baba Kharak Singh Marg - Major shopping area for local Indian Handicrafts with large number of small shops. The ancient Hanuman Temple is on Baba Kharag Singh Marg.
* Janpath and Baba Kharak Singh Marg: A popular shopping area for local Indian handicrafts, with many small shops offering a variety of traditional crafts.
* Parliament Street - Hub for government offices. Jantar Mantar and NDMC offices are situated on this major road.
* Parliament Street: A hub for government offices, with [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] and the headquarters of the [[New Delhi Municipal Council|NDMC]] located along this major road.
* [[New Delhi railway station]]
* [[New Delhi railway station]] on the Indian Railways network.
* Babar road and [[Bengali Market]] - only residential area near Connaught Place.
* [[Lady Hardinge Medical College]]
* Babar Road and [[Bengali Market]]: the solitary residential areas in the vicinity of Connaught Place.


==Picture gallery==
==Picture gallery==
Line 180: Line 180:
File:New Delhi India.jpg|Central Park
File:New Delhi India.jpg|Central Park
File:ConnaughtCircleShopsNight.jpg|Shops along the innermost Connaught Circle at night in early 2006
File:ConnaughtCircleShopsNight.jpg|Shops along the innermost Connaught Circle at night in early 2006
File:Georgian buildings in New Delhi.jpg|Typical Georgian buildings
File:Georgian buildings in New Delhi.jpg|Georgian architecture of Connaught Place
File:Agrasen Ki Baoli in New Delhi.jpg|[[Agrasen ki Baoli]] is hidden among the high-rises of Connaught Place
File:Agrasen Ki Baoli in New Delhi.jpg|The medieval [[Agrasen ki Baoli]] is tucked amidst the skyscrapers of Connaught Place
File:Mosquedelhi (93).JPG|Small Mosque
File:Mosquedelhi (93).JPG|A mosque in the inner circle
File:Street connaught place.jpg|Inner circle
File:Street connaught place.jpg|Inner circle
File:Street delhi connaught place.jpg|On one of the spokes
File:Street delhi connaught place.jpg|On one of the spokes
File:Street delhi connaught place2.jpg|Street scene
File:Street delhi connaught place2.jpg|One of the radial roads
File:Central Park, Connaught Place (view from Parikarma restaurant).jpg|View from a restaurant
File:Connaught Place, New Delhi - IMG 1958.JPG|Connaught Place
File:Connaught Place, New Delhi - IMG 1958.JPG|Connaught Place commercial area
File:Effect of ban on gathering 5 people on H block Connaught place IMG 20200321 164646.jpg|Deserted section of the H block in March 2020
File:Effect of ban on gathering 5 people on H block Connaught place IMG 20200321 164646.jpg|H block Connaught place on 21 March 2020-Effect of ban on social gathering over 5 people during [[2020 coronavirus pandemic in Delhi|pandemic in Delhi]]
File:Counnaught Place-New Delhi-Andres Larin.jpg|Aerial view of Connaught Place, 2023
File:New delhi railway station in tricolors.jpg|New Delhi Railway Station PF-16, Ajmeri Gate Side, Connaught Place, New Delhi
</gallery>
</gallery>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Other commercial centres in Delhi metropolitan area:
*[[Janakpuri]]
*[[Janakpuri]]
*[[Nehru Place]]
*[[Nehru Place]]
*[[Rajendra Place]]
*[[Rajendra Place]]
*[[Shivaji Place District Centre|Shivaji Place]]
*[[Shivaji Place District Centre|Shivaji Place]]
*[[Greater Kailash]]
*[[South Extension]]
*[[South Extension]]
* [[List of parks in Delhi]]


==References==
==References==
Line 213: Line 212:
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1933]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1933]]
[[Category:Central business districts in India]]
[[Category:Central business districts in India]]
[[Category:District subdivisions of Delhi]]
[[Category:Georgian Revival architecture]]
[[Category:Georgian Revival architecture]]
[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Delhi]]
[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Delhi]]
Line 219: Line 217:
[[Category:Shopping districts and streets in India]]
[[Category:Shopping districts and streets in India]]
[[Category:Road junctions in India]]
[[Category:Road junctions in India]]
[[Category:Town squares in India]]
[[Category:Squares in India]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in India]]

Latest revision as of 02:57, 17 March 2026

Connaught Place
Business district
Rajiv Chowk
Panoramic view of the inner circle and central park in Connaught Place
Panoramic view of the inner circle and central park in Connaught Place
Nickname: 
CP
Connaught Place is located in Delhi
Connaught Place
Connaught Place
Location in New Delhi, India
Coordinates: 28°37′58″N 77°13′11″E / 28.63278°N 77.21972°E / 28.63278; 77.21972
Country India
Union TerritoryDelhi
DistrictNew Delhi
Named forPrince Arthur (Connaught Place)
Rajiv Gandhi (Rajiv Chowk)
Government
 • BodyNew Delhi Municipal Council
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
110001[1]
Lok Sabha constituencyNew Delhi
Civic agencyNDMC
Public transitTemplate:Ric Template:Rcb Template:Rcb
Rajiv Chowk

Connaught Place, also known as Rajiv Chowk or CP, is one of the main financial, commercial and business centres in New Delhi, Delhi, India.[2] It houses the headquarters of several noted Indian firms and is a major shopping, nightlife, and tourist destination in New Delhi. As of July 2018, Connaught Place ranked as the ninth most expensive office location in the world, with an annual rent of $1,650 per square metre ($153 per sq ft).[3][4][5]

Connaught Place, considered the principal commercial hub of the new city, holds a place of pride and is recognized as one of the top heritage structures in New Delhi. Developed as a showpiece of Lutyens' Delhi, Connaught Place features a prominent Central Business District (CBD). Christened after Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, construction work began in 1929 and was completed in 1933. It was designed by Robert Tor Russell. Although Connaught Place was officially renamed in 1995 after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the term "Rajiv Chowk" is seldom used, with locals and officials alike continuing to refer to it as Connaught Place.[2]

An underground Delhi Metro station built beneath Connaught Place is named Rajiv Chowk.[6]

History[edit | edit source]

In the centuries preceding the construction of Connaught Place, the area encompassing Connaught Place was a ridge, covered with kikar trees and populated with jackals and wild pigs. Residents of Kashmere Gate and Civil Lines paid visits to the area during the weekends for partridge hunting.[7] The Hanuman Temple attracted many visitors from the old walled city, who visited only on Tuesdays and Saturdays and before sunset, as the return trip was considered dangerous.[7]

Residents of villages including Madhoganj, Jaisingh Pura and Raja ka Bazaar were evicted to clear the area for the construction of Connaught Place and the development of its nearby areas in the early twentieth century. The villages once straddled the historic Qutb Road, the primary route connecting Shahjahanabad, the walled city of Delhi (now Old Delhi), to Qutb Minar, on Delhi's southern edge, since the Mughal era. The displaced people were relocated in Karol Bagh to the west, a rocky region that had previously been populated only by trees and wild bushes. However, three structures were spared demolition. These comprised the Hanuman temple, a Jain temple in Jaisingh Pura, and the Jantar Mantar.[8][9]

Construction[edit | edit source]

Robert Tor Russell was the architect of Connaught Place

Plans for the development of a central business district took shape as the construction of the new capital of British India began to assume traction. Headed by W.H. Nicholls, the chief architect to the Government of India, the plans featured a central plaza based on the European Renaissance and in the Classical style. However, Nicholls left India in 1917, and with Lutyens and Baker preoccupied with the construction of larger buildings in the capital, design of the plaza was eventually entrusted with Robert Tor Russell, chief architect of the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of India, who collaborated with Sobha Singh in the construction of New Delhi.

Originally barren and arid, the area saw its first development with the construction of Sujan Singh Block A (now Wenger’s Block), followed by Blocks B and C, then Scindia House block, Regal Building, Rivoli Cinema, and the American Express block. These properties were built and privately owned by Sobha Singh as the British Government aimed to ensure Delhi had a blend of official and private spaces.[10] Subsequently, Sardar Bahadur Dharam Singh Sethi and Sardar Bahadur Narain Singh of Akoi joined in developing the area, constructing buildings such as the Odeon Cinema and structures on the southern side.[10]

Connaught Place was named after Prince Arthur, the 1st Duke of Connaught (1850–1942), the third son of Queen Victoria and uncle of King George VI. Prince Arthur visited India in 1921 and laid the foundation of the Council House (now Sansad Bhavan, or Parliament House). In 2013, Connaught Place was renamed Rajiv Chowk, in honor of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Connaught Place's Georgian architecture is modelled after the Royal Crescent in Bath, designed by the architect John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774. While the Royal Crescent is semi-circular and a three-storied residential structure, Connaught Place consists of two floors, which made almost a complete circle intended to house commercial establishments on the ground with residential space on the first floor.[7] The circle was eventually designed with two concentric circles, creating an Inner Circle, Middle Circle and the Outer Circle with seven roads radiating from a circular central park known as Radial Roads. As per the original plan, the different blocks of Connaught Place were to be joined from above, employing archways, with radial roads below them. However, the circle was 'broken up' to give it a grander scale. Even the blocks were originally planned to be 172 metres (564 ft) in height but later reduced to the present two-storied structure with an open colonnade.

Government plans to have New Delhi Railway Station built inside Central Park were rejected by railway authorities as they found the idea impractical, and instead, chose the nearby Paharganj area. Construction work began in 1929, with the Viceroy's House (now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the seat of the President of India), Secretariat Building, Parliament House, and India Gate (previously known as the All-India War Memorial) completed by 1933, well after the city's inauguration in 1931.[7][11]

Early years[edit | edit source]

View of the Central Park and the inner circle of Connaught Place

Early commercial establishments belonged to traders from the Kashmere Gate area: Harnarain Gopinath (Harnarains), Kanter's, Galgotia and Snowhite. Some of the other oldest and still-extant establishments include Ram Chandra & Sons (1935), Novex (1937), Dhoomi Mal Gallery (1936),[12] Vaish at Rivoli (1939), Indian Arts Palace (1935),[13] Mahatta & Company (1947).[14]

Regal Cinema, the first cinema in Connaught Place, commenced operations around this time and went on to host popular concerts, theatre groups, and ballet performances. The Odeon and Rivoli followed the Regal, while the Indian Talkie House opened in 1938.[7][11][15] Initially, only Indian snacks were available in the area; gradually, restaurants opened in the plaza, with outlets like Kwality, United Coffee House and others offering Continental and Mughlai cuisines.[16]

Wenger's, the confectioners, was one of the first shops in Connaught Place. The firm also owned New Delhi's largest restaurant, located on the first floor of their current A-Block outlet. Originally established in 1926 as Spencers in Kashmere Gate, Wenger's was owned by a Swiss couple and introduced Delhi to pastries and homemade Swiss chocolates. In its early years, it was primarily patronized by British officers, Indian royalty, and a few businessmen with international exposure, as Delhi remained a city of classical taste within the walled city. Over the years, Wenger's opened another shop adjacent to their original location in Connaught Place's A Block. This space had previously belonged to Harnarains, a food processing brand established in the 1860s. Harnarains currently operates under the name Harnarains International. Davico's, located across Connaught Plaza, and the Standard restaurant were popular for decades before eventually fading away. Another long-standing establishment, the Embassy Restaurant, opened in 1948.[15]

New Delhi's first luxury hotel, The Imperial, established in 1936 in Janpath, eventually became a haunt for the royalty and a place for political discussions. It was here that Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohandas K. Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten met to discuss the Partition of India and the birth of Pakistan.[17][18]

Jeevan Bharti, LIC building, Connaught Place, Outer Circle, built in 1986

Residents of Connaught Place gradually moved into the first-floor quarters, which were nearly fully occupied by 1938. However, it took another decade for the plaza to transform into the bustling marketplace it would later become, as World War II began and the Indian independence movement intensified and reached a feverish pitch. Markets experienced dwindling sales, but post-independence business began to burgeon in the 1950s.[7][11][15]

Post-independence[edit | edit source]

Until the 1980s, a Phatphat Sewa, a Harley Davidson rickshaw service, took visitors from Connaught Place to the Red Fort and Chandani Chowk, before it ceased operations due to pollution concerns.[19] The empty block of the Inner Circle came into use in the late 1970s with the construction of an underground market, the first in Delhi, Palika Bazaar, at the junction point. Stretching up to the Outer Circle, it also came with an adjoining underground parking lot. Concurrently, the State Emporiums on Baba Karak Singh Marg radial emerged.[9] However, a major alteration in the skyline was the development of a skyscraper comprising red sandstone (inspired by the historic Red Fort) and glass, the Jeevan Bharti building (owned by the LIC), which was designed by architect Charles Correa. In 1986, it towered over the low-lying, predominantly white Connaught Place and faced criticism for being too futuristic. However, as other skyscrapers were gradually built on the periphery, the debate faded away.[20]

Cinemas[edit | edit source]

Regal Cinema, Connaught Place's first theatre, opened in 1932 and was designed by Walter Sykes George

With the introduction of talkies to Indian cinema in 1931, the new medium quickly gained immense popularity. In the 1930s and 1940s, four theaters opened within Connaught Place Plaza: Regal, Rivoli, Odeon, and the short-lived "Indian Talkie House," which opened in 1938.

Connaught Place sprouted as the entertainment hub of New Delhi. The Regal, the first theatre in the area, was opened in 1932 by Sir Sobha Singh. It was designed by architect Walter Sykes George and mainly hosted stage performances. In the coming years it hosted Western Classical music artists, Russian ballet and British theatre groups, and soon started morning and afternoon movie shows. The next theatre to be built was the Plaza in 1940, designed by Sir Robert Tor Russell, the architect of Connaught Place itself. It was owned by director and actor Sohrab Modi until the early 1950s.

The Odeon was built in 1945 and had the city's second 70mm screen after the "Shiela Cinema" in Paharganj. The Rivoli, close to the Regal, was the smallest theatre in the area. Half a century later, while the vast majority of the theatres were still running, most changed ownership. The Plaza and Rivoli are now owned by multiplex giant PVR INOX Cinemas, while the Odeon runs as a joint venture with Reliance Big Pictures.[7][21]

Today[edit | edit source]

Entrance of the underground shopping complex, Palika Bazaar, which was constructed in the 1970s
Connaught Place on a busy weekend

The area is instantly recognisable on any map of Delhi as a giant circle in the middle with radial roads beaming in all directions. Eight separate roads extend from Connaught Place's inner circle, named Parliament Street and Radial Roads 1 through 7. Twelve different roads lead out from Connaught Circus, the outer ring. The best known of these is Janpath, the continuation of Radial Road 1. Connaught Place is a logically planned area and is home to one of India’s first underground markets, the Palika Bazaar (Municipal Market), named after the Hindi term "nagarpalika" (municipal council).

The Outer Circle, known as Connaught Circus (officially Indira Chowk), consists of rows of restaurants, shops, and hotels. On December 1, 2017, the historic Regal Building was reopened as Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the first of its kind in India.The Middle Circle houses offices, banks, exchange facilities like Thomas Cook and ATW Exchange, a PVR theatre complex, and various dining outlets.[22]

Central Park[edit | edit source]

Central Park, Connaught Place

The Central Park of Connaught Place has gained a reputation for hosting cultural events and is regarded as one of the city's top local hangouts. In 2005–06, Central Park was rebuilt following the construction of the Delhi Metro station beneath it. This station, Rajiv Chowk, serves as an interchange for the Yellow and Blue lines and is one of the largest and busiest stations in the network.

Connaught Place hosts various cultural events in the Central Park area such as the Urdu Heritage Festival, One Billion Rising demonstrations, Delhi Government's Youth Festival, Awam Ki Awaz (Voices of People) concert and many others.[23][24][25][26]

National flag at Central Park[edit | edit source]

The first known Indian to hoist the tricolour flag at Connaught Place was Padma Shri Mir Mushtaq Ahmad, the first Chief Executive Councillor of Delhi. During the colonial era, when Connaught Place was seen as the heart of British imperial India, he would annually hoist the tricolour at the bandstand in Central Park on January 26. On March 7, 2014, the largest Indian national tricolour at that time (now the second largest) was erected at the centre of Central Park, measuring 90 by 60 feet (27 by 18 m), on a 207-foot (63 m) pole.[27]

In 2012, the United Buddy Bears exhibition attracted more than 1 million visitors at Connaught Place

Delhi blasts[edit | edit source]

Two of the five terrorist blasts that occurred during the 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings were in Connaught Place.[28] Ten people were injured; police and witnesses said that the bombs went off in garbage cans in and around Connaught Place. Another explosion occurred in the nearby Central Park. Authorities also discovered two undetonated bombs in Delhi, one of which was found at the Regal Cinema complex in Connaught Place.[29] As a response, all trashcans were removed from the area.

Redevelopment plans[edit | edit source]

Redevelopment work to revamp Connaught Place ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games was slated for timely completion; however, owing to huge cost overruns and undue delays,[30] this deadline was not met. The performance audit report prepared by Comptroller and Auditor General of India on the Games concluded that there were "significant deficiencies in contract management, with consequent avoidable expenditure". Moreover, the mis-management and delays caused great inconvenience to shoppers and shop-owners alike, and led to a decline in trade.[31] Many outlet proprietors complained of erratic power supplies and lost air-conditioning in their shops during the renovation work.

Another spate of renovation work on Connaught Place resumed shortly after the Commonwealth Games, with an initial completion target of December 2012. However, by 2016, only the first phase—renovation of Blocks A and B—had been completed. The plan aimed to restore all six blocks of Connaught Place to their former grandeur by 2020, although delays have affected the timeline.

On 5 January 2017, the Union Urban Development Ministry announced a plan to convert the middle and inner circles of Connaught Place, into an exclusive pedestrian zone, starting February 2017. Under the auspices of the proposal, people driving into the area would have to park their vehicles at designated parking slots located at Shivaji Stadium and Palika Bazaar and subsequently proceed either on foot to Connaught Place or use the shuttle bus service. However, bicycles would have been allowed in the pedestrian zones. The plan was eventually scrapped as it was determined that the then-extant public infrastructure was incapable of sustaining the pedestrianisation proposal.

By late 2020, Connaught Place had experienced a decline in its former grandeur, though it continued to attract visitors. In response, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) initiated several redevelopment projects to restore and enhance this iconic Delhi landmark. The plan included the provision of heritage sensitive signage, engineering improvements of roads, drainage sewerage, water supply and substations, development of a traffic management plan, provisions of street furniture including adequate parking, walkways etc. and enhancing the structural stability of all buildings including retrofitting for earthquake resistance. All these components have been identified based on studies conducted by various agencies such as SPA, RITES, CMCCC, and NTPAC, etc.[citation needed]

Connaught Place at night

Films[edit | edit source]

Over the years, Connaught Place has been the location of many films including sequences in Dil Se.. (1998), Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006), 3 Idiots (2009), Aisha (2010), Delhi Belly (2011), Rockstar (2011), Ahista Ahista (2006), Agent Vinod, Vicky Donor (2012), Hate Story (2011), Special 26 (2013), A Wednesday (2008), Rang De Basanti (2006), PK (2014) and 2 States (2014).

Visitor attractions[edit | edit source]

Nearby areas[edit | edit source]

  • Barakhamba Road and Kasturba Gandhi Marg: Hubs for prominent international banks and corporate offices.
  • Janpath and Baba Kharak Singh Marg: A popular shopping area for local Indian handicrafts, with many small shops offering a variety of traditional crafts.
  • Parliament Street: A hub for government offices, with Jantar Mantar and the headquarters of the NDMC located along this major road.
  • New Delhi railway station on the Indian Railways network.
  • Lady Hardinge Medical College
  • Babar Road and Bengali Market: the solitary residential areas in the vicinity of Connaught Place.

Picture gallery[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Connaught Place Pin Code". ABP. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Brijnath, Rohit (15 September 1995). "Govt comes under fire over renaming of Connaught Place". India Today. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  3. "'Connaught Place world's 9th most expensive office location'". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 12 July 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  4. "New Delhi's Connaught Place world's 9th most expensive office location with annual rent of $153 per sq ft: CBRE". The Financial Express. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  5. "Connaught Place Is Ranked The World's 9th Most Expensive Office Location". News18. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  6. "New Delhi renames 'British' sites to honour the Gandhis". Deseret News. Associated Press. 21 August 1995. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Roy, Sidhartha (8 February 2011). "CP's blueprint: Bath's Crescent". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 April 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. Roy, Sidhartha (1 September 2011). "A tale of two cities". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Khandekar, Nivedita (2 June 2013). "A village that made way for CP". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Connaught Place - Delhi, Legacy - Coming Full Circle". www.indiaprofile.com. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Breathing life into New Delhi". Hindustan Times, Metro. 8 February 2011. p. 4.
  12. "How India's first private art gallery introduced modern masters to the world". The Sunday Guardian Live. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  13. "Indian Paintings Getting New Attention from Museums and Collectors". Art & Antiques Magazine. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  14. "A number of shops at Connaught Place boast of a rich legacy". Hindustan Times. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Dastidar, Avishek G (9 February 2011). "The heart of Delhi, even then". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  16. "100 years of Dilli khana". Business Line. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  17. The Imperial, New Delhi Archived 13 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times
  18. Famous Hotels: Imperial New Delhi – the making of By Andreas Augustin. 4hoteliers.com. 11 December 2006.
  19. Horton, Patrick (2002). Delhi. Lonely Planet. p. 82. ISBN 1-86450-297-5.
  20. "Jeewan Bharti". Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  21. "The famous four". Hindustan Times. 14 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.
  22. Brown, Lindsay; Amelia Thomas (2008). "Connaught Place & Around". Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra (Lonely Planet Travel Guides). Lonely Planet. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-74104-690-8.
  23. "Delhi Is Having A Youth Festival | sbcltr". sbcltr.in. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  24. "Urdu Heritage Festival moves out of Old Delhi, will be held in Connaught Place from Feb 15". Hindustan Times. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  25. "Delhi govt organises 'Voices of People' a musical platform for dissent". Hindustan Times. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  26. "Shubha Mudgal's concert in Delhi on Saturday, to celebrate communal harmony, free speech". The Indian Express. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  27. Malhotra, Aditi (12 March 2014). "Bending the Rules to Fly India's Largest Flag". Wall Street Journal – India. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  28. Henry Chu (14 September 2008). "At least 10 killed in series of blasts in Indian capital". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  29. Bruce Loudon (15 September 2008). "Hunt for Delhi bomb suspects". The Australian. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  30. "CP restoration plan hit by undue delays: CAG". The Hindu. 4 August 2011.
  31. Bhasin, Ruhi (8 January 2010). "NDMC's digging frenzy in CP stalls traffic hits trade". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 April 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Neighborhoods of Delhi