DLF, now a huge name in Gurugram's shiny skyline, actually started somewhere else. Believe it or not, they used to shape South Delhi, designing places like Hauz Khas and Greater Kailash. But, things changed when a law came about in the late 1950s, pushing them out and setting the scene for a crazy comeback story in Indian real estate.
The 1946 beginning
DLF was started in 1946 by Chaudhary Raghvendra Singh, right before India became independent. He wanted to take Delhi's growing city and turn it into organized communities. Even with all the chaos, Singh saw a chance to give modern homes to people that wanted more than just a roof over their heads. They wanted a lifestyle.
Building the base for modern Delhi
From the late 1940s through the 50s, DLF made almost 22 communities that became known as fancy and desirable places to be. Areas like Hauz Khas changed how cities were planned in India.
A DLF area meant tree-lined streets, wide roads, and a focus on community, which was very different from the packed areas of Old Delhi.
The shock of 1957
The Delhi Development Act of 1957 crushed DLF's Delhi plans. This law said that only the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) could work on land in the city.
By 1961, builders like DLF couldn't buy or build on land in Delhi. The company that made Delhi's nicest areas was suddenly shut out.
Pivot to Gurgaon
DLF didn't give up - the company decided to move to Gurgaon, which was just a dusty farm area in Haryana, away from Delhi's fancy life. During the 70s and 80s, DLF quietly bought a lot of land there very cheap, hoping that Delhi would expand that way.
Building a city from scratch
DLF built Gurgaon from the start, without much help from the government. They created roads, water, power, and whole business areas.
The launch of DLF City changed what cities could be in the 90s and early 2000s.
The billion-dollar legacy
Today, Gurugram is a top business city in India, with many startups, big global companies, and fancy homes. What seemed like a bad situation turned into a major real estate change in India.
DLF being pushed out of Delhi didn't end their story, it rewrote it
