New Delhi, Oct. 4 -- The Oxford English Dictionary defines 'farmhouse' as 'a house attached to a farm, especially the main house in which the farmer lives'. In Delhi, however, the term has taken on a dramatically different meaning. Today, 'farmhouses' refer to sprawling luxury estates owned by the city's affluent elite. Located in areas like Sainik Farm, Chhatarpur, Sultanpur and Mehrauli, these properties are far removed from agriculture and instead symbolize status, exclusivity and opulence.

As the city expanded in the 1950s, rural and forested areas in south Delhi became attractive for their proximity to the city centre. One such area that saw rapid development was next to Deoli village: Sainik Farm. In 1961, the Delhi Sainik Cooperat...