Defence Colony
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Defence Colony
| nickname = Def Col
| alt_name =
| settlement_type = Neighborhood of Delhi
| pushpin_map = India New Delhi
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Delhi, India
| coordinates = {{coord|28.57|77.23|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Delhi
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = South East Delhi
| subdivision_type3 = Metro
| subdivision_name3 = New Delhi
| established_title =
| established_date = 1960
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| population_total = 8000-10000
| timezone1 = IST
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = PIN
| postal_code = [https://www.worldpostalcodes.org/en/india/pin-code/110024 110024]
| blank3_name_sec1 = Urban Local Body
| blank3_info_sec1 = MCD
| official_name = Defence Colony
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 =
}}
Defence Colony is a neighbourhood in the South East Delhi district of Delhi, India. It was built in the 1960s for veterans of the Indian Armed Forces.{{cite web | title = South Delhi's property prices down by 20–35%, Defence Colony and Vasant Vihar worst hit|publisher=The Economic Times|url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-10/news/41937957_1_south-delhi-defence-colony-crore|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130912034654/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-10/news/41937957_1_south-delhi-defence-colony-crore|url-status = dead|archive-date = 12 September 2013|date=10 September 2013| access-date = 24 September 2013}}{{cite book|author=Onkar Singh|title=Indian ex-servicemen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rMpKgM9YxC0C&pg=PA108|year=2005|publisher=Krishna Prakashan Media|isbn=978-81-7933-175-0|pages=108–}} It serves as the administrative headquarters of the South East Delhi district of Delhi.
It is popular for being centrally located to all major parts of the city, its well-maintained parks, broad streets, active community clubs, and notable residents from entertainment and politics.{{Cite news |date=2015-06-26 |title=India property: the green oasis of New Delhi's Defence Colony |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/999977c8-1513-11e5-a587-00144feabdc0 |access-date=2023-05-08}} Defence Colony is home to many restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and, shops.{{cite book|title=The Rough Guide to India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC&pg=PA125|access-date=24 September 2013|year=2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=978-1-84353-089-3|pages=125–}}{{cite web
|title=Rude Food: in the food lanes of Delhi
|publisher=Hindustan Times
|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Brunch/Brunch-Stories/Rude-Food-in-the-food-lanes-of-Delhi/Article1-1115461.aspx
|author=Vir Sanghvi
|date=31 August 2013 |access-date=24 September 2013
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930070254/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Brunch/Brunch-Stories/Rude-Food-in-the-food-lanes-of-Delhi/Article1-1115461.aspx
|archive-date=30 September 2013
Overview
Defence Colony was created in the aftermath of the partition in 1947. Newly independent India allotted land to resettle serving Indian military officers whose homes lay across the new border in Muslim-majority Pakistan.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/999977c8-1513-11e5-a587-00144feabdc0|newspaper=Financial Times|access-date=14 November 2018|title=India property: The green oasis of New Delhi's Defence Colony |date=26 June 2015 }} Besides its central location from most parts of the city of Delhi, the locality is immensely popular among all Delhiites for the exotic varieties of cuisines offered by many restaurants.{{Cite web |title=Restaurants in Defence Colony |url=https://www.zomato.com/ncr/defence-colony-delhi-restaurants?sort=da&category=2&place_name=Defence+Colony%2C++India |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Zomato}}{{Cite web |title=Restaurants in Defence Colony |url=https://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurants-g304551-zfn21002110-New_Delhi_National_Capital_Territory_of_Delhi.html |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.tripadvisor.in |language=en-IN}}{{Cite web |title=Restaurants in Defence Colony, South Delhi |url=https://www.eazydiner.com/delhi-ncr/restaurants/defence-colony-south-delhi |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.eazydiner.com}}
Defence Colony Welfare Association Club, commonly referred to as Defence Colony Club was established in 1976 as Defence Colony Ex. Services Institute, however, was renamed in 1980 and functions under the Defence Colony Welfare Association.{{cite web|title=About Club |publisher=Defence Colony Welfare Association Club |url=http://www.defencecolonyclub.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=191 |access-date=24 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927220538/http://www.defencecolonyclub.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=191 |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Defence Colony(WA) Club |url=https://dcwa.club/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=dcwa.club}}
Historic monuments
Close to the main Defence Colony market inside a roundabout stands the octagonal tomb of Shaikh Ali, known as "Gumti of Shaikh Ali". Built-in the 15th-century Lodhi dynasty-era, near the historic area of Kotla Mubarakpur, it housed two graves inside the tomb until the early 20th-century, which are now long gone. The tomb has housed the Defence Colony Welfare Association (DCWA) office since 1960.{{cite web|title=Colony welfare office in Lodi-era tomb |publisher=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Colony-welfare-office-in-Lodi-era-tomb/Article1-1073283.aspx |date=8 June 2013 |access-date=24 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930064721/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Colony-welfare-office-in-Lodi-era-tomb/Article1-1073283.aspx |archive-date=30 September 2013 }}{{cite web| title = Present Condition of Gumti of Shaikh Ali at Defence Colony market round about| publisher = Government of Delhi| url = http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_shahjahanabad/DoIT_Shahjahanabad/Home/Ongoing+Projects/Present+Condition+of+Gumti+of+Shaikh+Ali+at+Defence+Colony+market+round+about| access-date = 24 September 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927134911/http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_shahjahanabad/DoIT_Shahjahanabad/Home/Ongoing+Projects/Present+Condition+of+Gumti+of+Shaikh+Ali+at+Defence+Colony+market+round+about| archive-date = 27 September 2013| url-status = dead}}{{Cite web|date=28 September 2018|title=Residents' body using Lodi-era tomb as office, Delhi high court seeks explanation|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/residents-body-using-lodi-era-tomb-as-office-delhi-high-court-seeks-explanation/story-1SRW3zacRgKvmZ9z4714EN.html|access-date=21 June 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}
Transportation
Defence Colony is accessible by many means of public transport including auto rickshaw, taxi, Delhi Transport Corporation buses as well as the Delhi Metro. The closest metro station to most of Defence Colony is Lajpat Nagar, which is an interchange station between the Violet Line and Pink Line.{{Cite web |title=Nearest Metro Station to Defence Colony Delhi - YoMetro |url=https://yometro.com/metro-station-near-defence-colony-delhi |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=YoMetro : Metro Travel Guide |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Lajpat Nagar metro station |url=https://www.delhimetrorail.com/station/LJPN |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.delhimetrorail.com}} For some parts of the Defence Colony, it is closer to walk to the South Extension metro station, which is on the Pink Line.{{Cite web |title=South Extension metro station |url=https://www.delhimetrorail.com/station/SOEN |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.delhimetrorail.com}} To the Northeast of Defence Colony is the Sewa Nagar railway station of the Delhi Ring Railway.{{Cite web |title=Nearest Railway Stations to Defence Colony |url=https://trainspy.com/nearestrailwaystations/DEFANCE-COLONY-Delhi-South-Delhi |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=trainspy.com}}{{Cite web |title=Sewa Nagar railway station |url=https://www.redbus.in/trains/stations/sewa-nagar-swnr |website=Redbus}}
To the South, Defence Colony is bounded by the Ring Road. To its east and west are Lala Lajpat Rai Marg and Bhishma Pitamah Marg respectively. The North of Defence Colony is bounded by the tracks of the Delhi Ring Railway.{{Cite web |title=Map of Defence Colony |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/delhi/defence-colony.html |website=Mapsofindia.com}}{{Cite web |title=Defence Colony |url=https://southdelhiprime.com/neighborhood/know-your-colony-kyc/defence-colony/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=South Delhi Prime |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Defence Colony in South Delhi |url=https://www.delhionline.in/city-guide/defence-colony-delhi |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.delhionline.in}}
Education
- South Delhi Public School{{Cite web |title=South Delhi Public School l Defence Colony l New Delhi |url=http://www.southdelhipublicschool.com/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.southdelhipublicschool.com}}{{Cite web |date=2021-03-29 |title=Delhi school events: SDPS conducts online activities & competitions |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-school/delhi-school-events-bosco-public-school-organises-annual-event-101617001086704.html |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}
- Dr Radhakrishnan International School{{Cite web |date=2020-10-29 |title=Delhi school events: Dr. Radhakrishnan International School, Defence Colony, organises special function |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-school/delhi-school-events-25-schools-take-pledge-for-better-air-quality-in-ghaziabad/story-bkZSvqPc19cPqHNGkgL01I.html |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}
Places of worship
- Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha
- Shri Radha Krishna Mandir
- Arya Samaj
- Shiv Mandir
- Defence Colony Jama Masjid
- St. Luke's Church
Healthcare
- Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital{{Cite web |last=Nigam |first=Chayyanika |date=21 April 2020 |title=Defence Colony residents object to new Covid-19 hospital |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/defence-colony-residents-object-to-new-covid-19-hospital-1669198-2020-04-21 |access-date=21 June 2020 |website=India Today |language=en}}
Notable people
- Vishal Uppal, Indian national tennis player{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Kamesh |date=12 August 2019 |title='I learnt to embrace whatever came my way': former tennis player Vishal Uppal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/i-learnt-to-embrace-whatever-came-my-way/article28986347.ece |access-date=21 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}
- Rohit Bal, Indian fashion designer{{Cite web |date=22 September 2017 |title=Fashion designer Rohit Bal arrested from Defence Colony following fight with neighbour |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/fashion-designer-rohit-bal-arrested-from-defence-colony-following-fight-with-neighbour-4855946/ |access-date=21 June 2020 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}
- Nafisa Ali, former Miss India{{Cite web |title=The extraordinary life and times of Nafisa Ali Sodhi |url=https://www.femina.in/celebs/indian/the-life-and-times-of-nafisa-ali-sodhi-61961.html |access-date=21 June 2020 |website=femina.in |language=en}}
- Sidharth Malhotra, actor{{cite web |date=31 January 2014 |title=The Kid's Alright |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/kids-alright |access-date=1 September 2020 |website=gqindia.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Neighborhoods of Delhi}}
Category:Neighbourhoods in Delhi