THE IDEA OF DELHI, MARG HARDCOVER, 2005

This book is about how Delhi has been imagined by those who have determined its pattern of urbanization. One idea that has appeared almost continually in its history is imaging it as a capital city. This idea has been linked not only to the pragmatic reasons of portraying power through its layout and architecture but to abstract ideals about placing this city as a symbol of power in a paradise garden and in British times, in a garden. Inevitably, ideas when they get implemented undergo change and in many cases remain unfulfilled. The chapters explore these ideas, and also cover post-independence Delhi.

Romi Khosla is a well known architect who runs the Romi Khosla Design Studios in Delhi. He has designed major building projects in India as well as Planned Urban Projects for the United Nations in the Balkans, Cyprus, and China.