Chanakyapuri
| Chanakyapuri चाणक्यपुरी |
|
|---|---|
| neighbourhood | |
 Chanakyapuri
|
|
| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Delhi |
| District | New Delhi |
| Government | |
| • Body | New Delhi Municipal Council |
| • Member of Parliament | Meenakshi Lekhi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.085 km2 (2.349 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 236.67 m (776.48 ft) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 110021 |
| Lok Sabha constituency | New Delhi |
| Civic agency | New Delhi Municipal Council |
Chanakyapuri is an affluent neighbourhood and diplomatic enclave established in the 1950s in New Delhi, and located 14 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport. Chanakyapuri translates to the City of Chanakya, and is named for the third century BC advisor and Prime Minister in the court of great Mauryan king Chandragupta Maurya.[1] It plays host to the majority of foreign embassies in India, and is home to many staff members of these consulates. Chanakyapuri was also developed as official residences for both politicians and civil servants to the Union Government. As such, it has numerous parks and open spaces, and suffers few utility disruptions. It is located near the Prime Minister's residence.
Contents
History
Chanakyapuri was the first major extension of New Delhi beyond Lutyens' Delhi. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) developed a large area of land acquired from ancient Gurjar village that was located there to create this diplomatic enclave in the 1950s. Subsequently, this land was allotted to embassies, chanceries, high commissions and ambassador residences. The enclave is built around a wide central vista, known as Shanti Path (Peace Road), with wide green areas. A large landscaped park, spread over an area of 80 acres, known as Nehru Park, was developed in 1969 for the families of the diplomatic personnel. The ancient Bhairon Temple of relocated gurjar Baisoya village (in 1920's) Alipur stands by the park. In time, two markets, two colleges and schools run by diplomatic missions (including The British School and The American School) were established in the neighborhood.[2]
Accessibility
Major roads in Chanakyapuri include Shanti Path, Nyaya Marg, Niti Marg, Chandragupta Marg and Panchsheel Marg. In addition to these, the Ring Road traverses the southern expanse of the neighborhood and intersects National Highway 8 on the border with neighboring Dhaula Kuan. Sardar Patel Marg marks the Western periphery, while the Chanakya Cinema complex, which lies beyond Nehru Park, forms the southwestern perimeter. The Delhi Ring Railway stops at Chanakyapuri, while Race Course and Jor Bagh are the nearest stations of Delhi Metro.
Points of interest
There are various architectural delights in the area, including several embassies and hotels. Some of these are listed below:
- Akbar Bhawan in Chanakyapuri where South Asian University is currently functioning, this is India's International university established by SAARC nations, Akbar Bhawan is also the home of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) Government of India.
- The Ashok Hotel in Chanakyapuri hosts a yearly bazaar where many embassies present items from their countries for sale.
- The United States Embassy and Chancery were designed by Edward Durrell Stone in 1959.
- The Russian Embassy embodies Stalinist architectural principles. The British High Commission and German Embassy were constructed in similar styles during the 1950s. The Thai Embassy too is visually striking.
- The Polish Embassy is an unusually large and expensive product of the overoptimistic Gierek era of the 1970s.
- The Belgian Embassy is a red brick structure designed by the renowned Indian artist Satish Gujral, as one of his only known architectural endeavors. It is located at the roundabout at the Rail Museum and dates to the mid-1970s.
Chanakyapuri is also home to the following:
- The National Rose Garden, open to the public in December and January.
- The National Rail Museum, which depicts the rail heritage of India.
- Nehru Park, established in 1969.
- The ancient Bhairon Temple.
- Navy Children School, Delhi, established in 1965.
- Carmel Convent.
- The Ravi Shankar Centre.
- Primus Super Speciality Hospital is an international hospital serving people from all over the world and Embassy diplomats.
Chanakyapuri is also home to a number of hotels and other services catering to both foreign and (affluent) domestic visitors to Delhi. These include the Hotel Ashok, Hotel Samrat, the Maurya Sheraton, Taj Palace, Claridges,the Leela Palace and Diplomat, along with certain establishments by the Youth Hostels Association of India. Primus Group of hospitals also operates an International Hospital in this neighborhood, in western Chanakyapuri.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
- The American Embassy School, for expatriates from America and other countries.
- The British School offers the British National Curriculum, the IGCSE and IB. It primarily serving the international community.
- German School New Delhi[3]
- Russian Embassy School in Delhi[4]
- Sanskriti School, a renowned education institution, which mainly serves the children of civil servants.
Universities
- Jesus and Mary College, a constituent college of the University of Delhi.
- Maitreyi College, another constituent college of the University of Delhi.
See also
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Contact." German School New Delhi. Retrieved on 11 February 2015. "2, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110 021 India" - Also listed as: "Block F, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri"
- ↑ "Сведения о школе." (Archive). Russian Embassy School in New Delhi. Retrieved on 18 April 2015. "PLOT G BLOK 50E NYAYA MARG, CHANAKYAPURI, NEW-DELHI -110021, INDIA"
