The largest cities in India also make up several metropolis regions in the country. For example, Mumbai is the most populated city in India, but the population of its metropolis is several million more. On this list, the most populated cities in India will be ranked solely by the population of the city itself, but you will also find out how populated the metro regions the cities are located are. Let’s take a look at the cities in India with the largest populations. Currently, India holds around 18% of the earth’s population and experiences a growth of about 1% each year.
1. Kanpur
The city of Kanpur is currently the 10th most populated city in India in 2022. Also spelled Cawnpore, this industrial city is located in the central-western part of Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur is the largest city in its state and is the capital of its region. The metropolis region of Kanpur has seen a yearly growth of 1.17% in 2022. Kanpur is extremely industrialized and is India’s 9th largest urban economy. This city, as does its country, has a history of colonization by the British, which shows in the city’s buildings, and other infrastructure. Founded in 1207, Kanpur sits on the bank of the Ganga River and today is one of India’s most beautiful cities. Parks, zoos, education centers, theme parks, and historical buildings are some sights to see in this city.
2. Pune
Poona, or Pune, is one of India’s most populated cities, located in the western state of Maharashtra. This city is located near the junctions of the Mula and Mutha rivers. Pune is the second-largest city in Maharashtra and is known as the state’s cultural hub. The city was founded in 1436 and today is one of India’s cities with a thriving IT and automobile industry. Education has always been important in Pune, and the city was also home to India’s first girl school, which was created in 1848. Pune is rapidly growing in population, and in 2022, it experienced a growth of around 2.63%.
3. Surat
Located in the western state of Gujarat, Surat is one of India’s most populated cities, and in 2022, it experienced a population growth of around 3.93%. Surat is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and is the second-largest city in Gujarat. The city is well known for its diamonds and is the world’s largest diamond manufacturing center, doing around 90% of the world’s diamond polishing and cutting. Surat regularly ranks high as being one of the cleanest cities in India, despite its large population. This port city sits on the banks of the Tapi River and has a tropical climate. Tourists are common in this city since it has several beaches and historical buildings like the Surat Castle.
4. Kolkata
The city of Kolkata, formally Calcutta, is the capital of West Bengal. This city sits on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River and was established in 1686. While the city of Kolkata is very large, its metropolis population is one of the three largest in the entire country. Kolkata has seen a steady growth of the population of around 0.84% yearly. Kolkata is known as the football hub of India, and the city has the second-oldest soccer league in the world. Sports are a part of this city’s culture, and the city is home to the third-largest cricket arena in the world. Kolkata has a rich history and is the city with India’s oldest port and metro system.
5. Chennai/Madras
Originally, the city of Chennai was called Madras until its name underwent a change in 1996. This city is located on the Coromandel Coast and is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Starting off as a small fishing city, Chennai was formed in 1639. The metropolis of Chennai is one of the fastest growing metropolises in the country and has a growth rate of 2.43%. Chennai is one of the most popular tourist spots in southern India. Filled with restaurants serving local delicacies, the city also has landmarks like ancient temples and the government museum. This very populated city is run by the Greater Chennai Corporation, which is the oldest city corporation in India, and the second oldest in the world after London.
6. Ahmedabad
Located in the Indian state of Gujarati, Ahmedabad is the most populated city in its region. This city is located near the Sabarmati River and is considered a twin city with Gandhinagar, which is the capital of Gujarati. In 2021, Ahmedabad had a population growth of 2.42% which is consistent with the years previous. Along with being one of India’s most populated cities, Ahmedabad is the country’s 5th largest city and the biggest in its state. Known as one of India’s greatest textile hubs, Ahmedabad is a popular tourist attraction because of its food, museums, and cultural-historical monuments.
7. Hyderabad
Located in the Indian state of Telangana, Hyderabad is its region’s capital and the largest city in its area. Hyderabad was founded in 1591 and is a city beloved for its historical monuments like the Golconda Fort, the Asman Garh Palace, and the Qutub Shahi Tombs. Over the years, this city has had a steady population growth, with it having a growth rate of 2.59% in 2022. Hyderabad is located in southeastern India and is right next to the Musi River. The metropolis of Greater Hyderabad is one of the largest metro areas in India, and the area is famous for its various monuments.
8. Bengaluru
The city of Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka and is the largest city located in South India. Since the Bengaluru metropolis has a population of over 10 million, it is classified as a megacity. The metro area of Bengaluru is one of the fastest growing among larger cities in the country and had a growth rate of 3.55% in 2022. The city Bengaluru was founded in 1537 but was originally called Bangalore before its name change. Today, the city is India’s leading tech city and is known as the “Silicon Valley of India.”
9. Delhi
Delhi is a megacity in India and is one of the most populated cities in the world. The metropolis of Delhi is considered the second-largest city in the world, only behind Tokyo, Japan. Delhi is made up of two components, which are Old Delhi and New Delhi. The city of New Delhi is the capital of India and is one of the many components that make up the megacity of Delhi. With its massive population size, Delhi is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and has a growth rate of 9.28%.
10. Mumbai
The city of Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra and is the most populated city in India. The metropolis of Mumbai is also the second largest in the country, right after Delhi. Bombay is the original name of this city, and it was officially changed to Mumbai in 1995. This city can be found on the Konkan Coast, right along the west coast of India. Mumbai is one of the many megacities in India and has seen a population growth of 1.42%. A city of innovation, Mumbai was the first to do many things in India, like create the first bus route in the country, or construct the first Indian train route. Compared to other cities in India, Mumbai is the richest and has a GDP of $277 billion.
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