The city of Delhi has been the vortex of social and political life of the sub-continent. Through centuries it has been fought for and defended, and often razed and pillaged. It was even deserted more than once, only to rise again like the  mythical phoenix. The seat of power of many a monarch and dynasty, Delhi bears  the  mark  of  a very  extraordinary history.  Some speak  of the seven cities of Delhi  built by  successive conquerors, each adding his  share  to  the  pageant. The ravages of time have laid low many a splendourous monument; yet history stands writ on the  ruins  that still  brave the  batterings  of  nature.   The  first  city of Delhi, Lal Kot was raised by the Tomar Rajput King  Anangpal in 11th century. The  legendary  hero  Prithviraj  Chauhan enlarged  and fortified  the rugged  citadel with  massive  ramparts  and. renamed  it Quila Rai  Pithora. The  soaring  tower Qutab Minar built by the Slave King, Qutb­ud-din Aibak and his successor Iltutmish, still stands sentinel to the imperial battlements erected there. The  other cities were built at Siri, Tughlakabad,  Jahanpanah,  Kotla  Feroz  Shah, Purana  Quila and Shahjahanabad. The last of the conquerors, influenced  by the living past  of Delhi,  raised  with  greatest  care the new Capital, New Delhi.  The destiny of Delhi appears to lie in being  built,  rebuilt  and constantly built upon. The process continues  today,  but  for  a  different  cause. Having hosted the First Asian Games in 1951, Delhi is now getting ready for the IX Asian Games in 1982.

The First Asian  Games were held  in the  National  Stadium  which  was  built beyond the solemn India Gate facing the regal Rashtrapati Bhavan that crowns the Raisina Hill. The stadium is now being renovated and will be the venue of Men's Hockey matches. The main  athletic stadium is being built near the tombs of the Lodi  Emperors  who  ruled  in  the   15th century. It will have a capacity of 75,000. Apart from various athletic events, this stadium will be the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies. A two-tier structure, 23 metre high, it will have an 8-lane synthetic  track. The space enclosed  by the tracks will be used for soccer. There will be an office area built into the stadium below  the upper  tier. A spacious Press Centre, equipped with world-wide telecommunications facilities, will also be located in  the  stadium. A  computerised  communication  system will  provide information within  seconds about the events taking place in all centres. The stadium will be flood  lit to  suit colour TV coverage. A giant  electronic  score board  will  dis play the results of various events in Hindi and English simultaneously.

An indoor stadium, being built  near the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the banks  of  the  Yamuna,  will be the venue  of Badminton, Gymnastics and Volleyball. It will have a seating capacity of 25,000. The bowl like superstructure is supported by eight RCC pylons rising to a height of 44 metres. The arena can be divided into two with the help of a sound-proof collapsible partition so that two events can -be held simultaneously. By the side of this stadium a Cycling Velodrome is being built according to international specifications.   It will have a minimum  slope of  7° rising  to  a maximum of 38°. The width  of  the  track  will be 7 metres and length 333.33 metres.

Adjacent to the lush grounds of Rashtrapati Bhavan, a swimming complex is being constructed. It will have three separate pools for warming up, for the main events and for diving. A Tennis Stadium with a capacity of 1,400 and two more courts will be added to the already existing Tennis Complex having  nine  courts. A number of  other  stadiam  in  Delhi  will be used for various games. All these are being renovated and modernised. A new hall is being built in Pragati Maidan Exhibition Complex for Table Tennis and Boxing. A new shooting range of international specifications is being built at Tughlakabad, where the third city of Delhi was built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlak in 1321 A.D.

Siri was the second city of Delhi raised by Allauddin Khilji (1296-1316). Amidst the remains of its former glory, the Asian Games Village Complex is "being built to provide comfortable accommodation as well as facilities for recreation  and practice for 5,000 competitors and officials who accompany them. Each of its  dwelling units will have an open terrace and a private garden. The Community Hall, with a capacity  of 2000,  will be  the  venue  of Weight Lifting. A special feature of the village will be the kitchen-cum-dining complex which can cater to 2000 persons at a time.

Indian P & T Department is privileged to issue the third stamp on IX Asian Games.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India