DELHI e SIMLA, ARCHDIOCESE of. - In 1910, with territory detached from the archdiocese of Agra and partly from the diocese of Lahore, the archdiocese of S. was erected and entrusted to the Capuchins. In 1937, following the requests of Indian Catholics, desirous of seeing the capital of India as the seat of a Catholic prelate, the city of D. and its surroundings, likewise detached from Agra, were incorporated into it, and the enlarged jurisdiction was given the name of the archdiocese of D. and S.
It has an area of 100,051 sq. km. The population amounts to about 7 million inhabitants, of whom barely 8,000 are Catholics. Protestants number more or less the same. The small number of Catholics is to be attributed to the limited development hitherto given to conversion work among the pagans and to the exodus of the English and Anglo-Indian element, which took place after the establishment of the new independent State of India. Almost the entire population is Hindu; there is also a considerable number of Mohammedans. A total of 12 English Capuchins, 3 Indians, 1 Irishman, and 3 native priests work there. About ten Brothers of the Christian Schools are engaged in teaching. About 50 sisters, almost all foreigners, are occupied with schools and charitable works. The archdiocese is divided into 12 districts, 12 primary stations, and 57 secondary stations.