LashayFmm33111 at 01:29, 9 November 2025

2025-11-09T01:29:54Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Defence Colony
| nickname = Def Col
| alt_name =
| settlement_type = [[neighbourhoods of Delhi|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 = [[List of districts of India|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 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = [https://www.worldpostalcodes.org/en/india/pin-code/110024 110024]
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Municipal governance in India|Urban Local Body]]
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Municipal Corporation of Delhi|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 [[veteran]]s of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="Singh2005">{{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–}}</ref> It serves as the administrative headquarters of the [[South East Delhi district|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Defence Colony is home to many restaurants, [[Coffeehouse|coffee shops]], art galleries and, shops.<ref>{{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–}}</ref><ref>{{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
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=9 February 2020|first=Reema|last=Gehi|title=The who's who of India's art scene|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sunday-read/the-whos-who-of-indias-art-scene/articleshow/74033265.cms|access-date=21 June 2020|website=Mumbai Mirror|language=en}}</ref>

==Overview==
Defence Colony was created in the aftermath of the [[Partition of India|partition in 1947]] and was built on the vast lands of the Kotla Mubarakpur village.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Delhi’s urban villages turned into no-plan land |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/how-delhi-s-urban-villages-turned-into-no-plan-land/story-wI6PqbrcETuM3eqnZ59xWP.html |work=Hindustan Times |location=New Delhi |date=8 April 2019 |access-date=8 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |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 |work=Hindustan Times |location=New Delhi |date=26 July 2018 |access-date=8 November 2025}}</ref> Newly independent India allotted land to resettle serving Indian military officers whose homes lay across the new border in Muslim-majority [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=India property: The green oasis of New Delhi's Defence Colony |url=https://www.ft.com/content/999977c8-1513-11e5-a587-00144feabdc0 |work=Financial Times |date=26 June 2015 |access-date=14 November 2018}}</ref> Besides its central location within Delhi, the locality is also known for the wide variety of cuisines offered by its many restaurants.<ref>{{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 |website=Zomato |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Restaurants in Defence Colony |url=https://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurants-g304551-zfn21002110-New_Delhi_National_Capital_Territory_of_Delhi.html |website=Tripadvisor |language=en-IN |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Restaurants in Defence Colony, South Delhi |url=https://www.eazydiner.com/delhi-ncr/restaurants/defence-colony-south-delhi |website=EazyDiner |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Defence Colony(WA) Club |url=https://dcwa.club/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=dcwa.club}}</ref>

==Historic monuments==
Close to the main Defence Colony market inside a roundabout stands the [[octagon]]al 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==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 metro station|Lajpat Nagar]], which is an interchange station between the [[Violet Line (Delhi Metro)|Violet Line]] and [[Pink Line (Delhi Metro)|Pink Line]].<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lajpat Nagar metro station |url=https://www.delhimetrorail.com/station/LJPN |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.delhimetrorail.com}}</ref> For some parts of the Defence Colony, it is closer to walk to the [[South Extension metro station]], which is on the [[Pink Line (Delhi Metro)|Pink Line]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Extension metro station |url=https://www.delhimetrorail.com/station/SOEN |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.delhimetrorail.com}}</ref> To the Northeast of Defence Colony is the [[Sewa Nagar railway station]] of the [[Delhi Suburban Railway#Delhi Ring Railway|Delhi Ring Railway]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sewa Nagar railway station |url=https://www.redbus.in/trains/stations/sewa-nagar-swnr |website=Redbus}}</ref>

To the South, Defence Colony is bounded by the [[Ring Road, Delhi|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 Suburban Railway#Delhi Ring Railway|Delhi Ring Railway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map of Defence Colony |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/delhi/defence-colony.html |website=Mapsofindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Education==
*[[South Delhi Public School]]<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
* Dr Radhakrishnan International School<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== Places of worship ==

* Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha
* Shri Radha Krishna Mandir
* Arya Samaj
* Shiv Mandir
* Defence Colony Jama Masjid
* [[St. Luke's Church, New Delhi|St. Luke's Church]]

== Healthcare ==
* Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Notable people==

===Live/lived in Defence Colony===
*[[Vishal Uppal]], Indian national tennis player<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[Rohit Bal]], Indian fashion designer<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[Nafisa Ali]], former Miss India<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[Sidharth Malhotra]], actor<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[Rabinder Singh (intelligence officer)|Rabinder Singh]], intelligence officer
* [[Sonal Mansingh]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Neighborhoods of Delhi}}

[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Delhi]]
[[Category:District subdivisions of Delhi]]
[[Category:South East Delhi district]]

Defence Colony - Revision history

LashayFmm33111 at 01:29, 9 November 2025