2004 Gurgaon Video Sparks Mass Digital Nostalgia

New Delhi, December 31, 2025: A dramatic transformation has been highlighted by a viral video that offers a rare look at Gurgaon (now Gurugram) from over two decades ago. On December 30, 2025, a sepia-toned clip began circulating on social media platforms, originally shared on X by user Sidharth Shukla. The footage, which has since been viewed by millions, captures the city as it appeared in 2004, long before it became the glittering “Millennium City” known for its glass skyscrapers, gated communities, and relentless traffic jams.

Cows, Donkeys, and Dug-Up Roads

The video portrays a semi-rural landscape that stands in stark contrast to the modern corporate wasteland. In the footage, people were observed walking alongside herds of cows and donkeys on what are now major expressways. Small roadside shops and a barber giving a haircut under the shade of a tree were seen dotting the horizon, where today multi-billion dollar headquarters stand. The absence of the Metro, the Cyber Hub, and the Golf Course Road—which users noted did not even exist at the time—has left many residents stunned at the sheer pace of urbanization.

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From Jungle to Corporate Hub

The clip has triggered a wave of “post-urbanization” reflection among long-term residents. Many were heard sharing personal stories of the city’s evolution, recalling a time when Gurgaon was primarily composed of jungles and “badlands” with only a few scattered petrol pumps. It was noted by commenters that the majority of the massive development, including the Rapid Metro and luxury hotels, only kicked in post-2010. One user’s comment resonated deeply with the crowd, stating, “Crazy to see how much the city changed in 20 years… from jungles to a corporate wasteland.”

The Price of Rapid Progress

While the video is being celebrated for its nostalgic value, it has also sparked a debate about the cost of rapid city-building. Many netizens were observed comparing the clear, dust-free skies of the 2004 footage with the severe air quality crises and waterlogging issues that plague the modern city in late 2025. The “Gurgaon 2004” trend has become a platform for citizens to voice their frustrations over crumbling infrastructure, with some noting that while the skyscrapers arrived, the quality of life in terms of environment and space has significantly diminished.

A Digital Time Capsule for 2026

As the year 2025 ends, this viral throwback serves as a digital time capsule that reminds us of the fragility of local history. The video has reached over 3 million views, proving that even in a fast-paced tech hub, there is a deep-seated longing for a simpler time. By revisiting the “sepia-toned” beginnings of Gurugram, the internet community is not just looking back at a video but is reflecting on the identity of a city that grew up almost too fast for its residents to keep track.