Chandigarh (pop. 961,587; met. area pop. 1,025,682), is a city in northern India. It is the capital of the union territory of Chandigarh. It also serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. The high courts and universities of both states are in the city.
Chandigarh was designed by the Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier. It is laid out in rectangular sectors integrated by a grid of streets designed for fast traffic. Chandigarh derives its name from a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Chandi. Her shrine stands on a small hill about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the city. Chandigarh was only a small village when planning for the new city began in 1947. Construction of the city started in the 1950’s. By the early 1970’s, the modern city had been largely completed.
The city was designed to serve as the capital of the state of Punjab. When the state was divided into Punjab and Haryana in 1966, the union government decided to administer Chandigarh centrally until a new capital could be built for Haryana. It was intended that Chandigarh would revert to Punjab. However, the city still serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
See also Le Corbusier.
