Delhi has been looted, plundered and resurrected during a turbulent history over hundreds of years but has emerged from the ashes of the past to take a place in the world as a global capital. If trees and streets could talk, the stories that would pour out of Delhi would keep listeners mesmerised for years. The city has seen the tide of many foreign rulers from Persian Mughals to imperial colonial armies wash over its ancient landscape until independence in 1947.
It is a city of contrasts; step aboard the sleek and efficient metro and you can go from Old Delhi, where labourers haul sacks of spices and jewellers weigh gold on dusty scales, to modern New Delhi with its colonial-era parliament buildings and penchant for high tea. Then there is Gurgaon, a satellite city of skyscrapers and glitzy malls.
Old Delhi has been around for more than 3,000 years and is littered with many relics from lost empires providing a feast for your senses. Our guided group enjoyed a street side cup of chai before plunging into the amazing mayhem of crowded alleyways and unbelievably busy streets. The chaotic, bustling area is typical of real India and contains an eclectic mix of stalls, shops, food outlets and temples. The locals love to shop in the crazily colourful Chandni Chowk bazaar where everything is for sale from wedding outfits, jewellery, temple trinkets to spices, chai and food.
From its hill top perch the magnificent 17th century sandstone Red Fort overlooks the mayhem of Old Delhi and even though it may have lost some of its former beauty it is still easy to imagine the glory of its imperial past.
Delhi is home to many beautiful historic sites. British colonial architecture dominates New Delhi with tree lined avenues, colonial bungalows, Parliament House, India Gate and the Vice Regal Palace which is now the residence of the President.
Alan and I visited Gandhi Smriti which is the poignant memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. It is located in lovely Birla House, where he was shot dead on January 1948. It’s a beautiful peaceful place away from the maddening crowds of Delhi and a stark reminder that the meek must be vigilant to prevent the radicals from taking control.
Delhi is crazy busy with cars, trucks, buses, tuk tuks, rickshaws, bicycles, cows and people. The air is heavy with haze but the wide streets, many parks, golf courses and tree lined streets soften the scene. For the dedicated shopper there is a great choice of distinctive Indian merchandise providing you can haggle hard and handle the hustle and bustle.
