Connaught Place, New Delhi
Connaught Place is one of the largest financial, commercial and business centers in Delhi. It is often abbreviated as CP and houses the headquarters of several Indian firms. Its surroundings occupy a place of pride, counted among the top heritage structures of the city. It was developed as a showpiece of Lutyens' Delhi featuring a Central Business District. Named after the Duke of Connaught, the construction work was started in 1929 and completed in 1933. The inner circle of Connaught Place was renamed Rajiv Chowk and the Outer Circle was renamed Indira Chowk by Union Home Minister S.B. Chavan. Today, Connaught Place is one of the most vibrant business districts of Delhi. It is the fourth most expensive office destination in the world, according to global property consultant CBRE GroupHistoryPrior to its construction the area was a ridge, covered with kikar trees inhabited by jackals and wild pigs, where residents of Kashmere Gate, Civil Lines area visited during the weekends for partridge hunting. The only other visitors to the area were the ones who came to the ancient Hanuman Temple, who came from the walled city on Tuesdays and Saturdays and that too before the sunset as the passage back wasn't considered safe during those days. Villages like Madhoganj, Jaisingh Pura and Raja ka Bazaar were evacuated to clear the area for the construction of Connaught Place and the development of its nearby areas. The villages were relocated in Karol Bagh to the West, then a rocky area populated only by trees and wild, bushes.
