Defence Colony

Overview

Defence Colony was created in the aftermath of the partition in 1947 and was built on the vast lands of the Kotla Mubarakpur village. Newly independent India allotted land to resettle serving Indian military officers whose homes lay across the new border in Muslim-majority Pakistan. Besides its central location within Delhi, the locality is also known for the wide variety of cuisines offered by its many restaurants.

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.

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.

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. For some parts of the Defence Colony, it is closer to walk to the South Extension metro station, which is on the Pink Line. To the Northeast of Defence Colony is the Sewa Nagar railway station of the Delhi Ring Railway.

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.

Education

• South Delhi Public School
• Dr Radhakrishnan International School

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

Notable people

Live/lived in Defence Colony

• Vishal Uppal, Indian national tennis player
• Rohit Bal, Indian fashion designer
• Nafisa Ali, former Miss India
• Sidharth Malhotra, actor
• Rabinder Singh, intelligence officer
• Sonal Mansingh

References

References

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2. Onkar Singh. (2005). "Indian ex-servicemen". Krishna Prakashan Media.
3. (2015-06-26). "India property: the green oasis of New Delhi's Defence Colony". Financial Times.
4. (2003). "The Rough Guide to India". Rough Guides.
5. Gehi, Reema. (9 February 2020). "The who's who of India's art scene".
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7. (26 July 2018). "Residents’ body using Lodi-era tomb as office, Delhi High Court seeks explanation". Hindustan Times.
8. (26 June 2015). "India property: The green oasis of New Delhi's Defence Colony". Financial Times.
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12. "About Club". Defence Colony Welfare Association Club.
13. "Welcome to Defence Colony(WA) Club".
14. (8 June 2013). "Colony welfare office in Lodi-era tomb". Hindustan Times.
15. "Present Condition of Gumti of Shaikh Ali at Defence Colony market round about". Government of Delhi.
16. (28 September 2018). "Residents' body using Lodi-era tomb as office, Delhi high court seeks explanation".
17. "Nearest Metro Station to Defence Colony Delhi - YoMetro".
18. "Lajpat Nagar metro station".
19. "South Extension metro station".
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21. "Sewa Nagar railway station".
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26. (2021-03-29). "Delhi school events: SDPS conducts online activities & competitions".
27. (2020-10-29). "Delhi school events: Dr. Radhakrishnan International School, Defence Colony, organises special function".
28. Nigam, Chayyanika. (21 April 2020). "Defence Colony residents object to new Covid-19 hospital".
29. Srinivasan, Kamesh. (12 August 2019). "'I learnt to embrace whatever came my way': former tennis player Vishal Uppal". The Hindu.
30. (22 September 2017). "Fashion designer Rohit Bal arrested from Defence Colony following fight with neighbour".
31. "The extraordinary life and times of Nafisa Ali Sodhi".
32. (31 January 2014). "The Kid's Alright".