Urban India

DELHI IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST exciting capital cities with a wealth of history and heritage as well as a deep spiritual tradition. It is a magnet for people from all corners of the country and, as such, it offers a flavour of the different regions of India. The gateway to India has held power for over 1,000 years, and was built on the site of 12 former Indian cities. Mughal and Muslim heritage is everywhere, and showcases the fine Indian architectural tradition. Old Delhi holds a good number of ancient relics, bazaars and monuments in its chaotic, traffic-choked grasp. New Delhi boasts broad boulevards, imposing buildings and great shopping.

Mumbai is perpetually in motion. The modern mega-city of over 16 million inhabitants is bursting with energy and commerce, and merits a visit to experience the sheer vibrancy of urban India. Contrast the bustling fisherman’s wharf, a reminder of the city’s historical purpose, with the serene grandeur of Fort Bombay, the oldest part of the city. This splendid area of academia and religious importance is bristling with monuments and formal gardens. Marine drive is the main artery of New Mumbai, the ‘Manhattan of India’, where the city seems to relax a little as it gets closer to the sea.

Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and also the second largest city in India. Once a simple village enjoying a convenient location on the banks of the Hooghly river, it is now one of the most important cities in India and bears the hallmarks of its imperial past. The river is a focal point of the city, where people come to bathe and do business in the nearby markets. On the bank of the river lies Fort William, surrounded by the 400 hectare Maidan Park, thronging with city dwellers enjoying a break from the urban hubbub. Cricket matches, grazing sheep and food carts are all part of the charm. As well as the British built fort, there are many other monuments to the British rule, such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Victoria Monument. Since the capital was shifted in 1911, the city has suffered diminished importance and some of the grandeur has been neglected, but it nevertheless possesses a characterful and distinctly Bengali flavour.

Sultry and seafaring, Chennai is the gateway to the fascinating and impressive cultural riches of south India. Chennai’s origins are not as old as some of the other great Indian cities, instead it grew up from a handful of coastal villages and retains an air of a verdant garden city. The Marina, a five mile long promenade along the Bay of Bengal, is one of the city’s crowning glories and a popular place to take the sea air. The beach is another attraction for visitors, where you can watch local fishermen ply their trade.