New Delhi: India's Distinct Capital City

New Delhi is a distinct, planned city within the larger Delhi metropolitan area. Established in 1911 (inaugurated 1931) as the British Indian capital, it was designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. It houses the three branches of India's government: Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's residence), and Supreme Court. While often conflated with "Delhi" (which includes historic Old Delhi and surrounding areas), New Delhi is a specific administrative district (42.7 km²) known for its wide boulevards, colonial architecture, and diplomatic enclaves.