The capital of India, in the north-central part of the country south of Delhi. It was constructed 1912-1929 to replace Calcutta as the capital of British India and officially inaugurated in 1931. New Delhi is also a trade and transportation center. Population: 301,297. the capital city of India, built to the south of the old city of Delhi by the British in 1912. City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 294,783), capital of India, on the western bank of the Yamuna River, south of Old Delhi in Delhi capital territory. Built from 1912 to 1929, it was formally opened in 1931, when it became the capital. In contrast to the convoluted street plan of Old Delhi, New Delhi has an orderly, diagonal pattern and gives a feeling of openness and quiet. The main east-west axis is Central Vista Park, a thoroughfare lined with government buildings, museums, and research centres