Multifaceted and multicultural, Delhi is a capital city as diverse as India itself. Up-market restaurants and boutiques juxtapose the old city’s bazaars and historic architectural wonders as Delhi decadently brings together all the best of the subcontinent: a vibrant diversity of tradition and culture, a jumble of vernaculars and styles, and hive of industry and activity.
There are two very distinct parts to the city, the ‘old’ and the ‘new’. Old Delhi was the capital of Islamic India from the 17th to the 19th century, and its rich history left many monuments and mosques. The Red Fort towers over the traffic, and Jama Masjid and the bustling bazaars of Old Delhi are a hive of treasures. New Delhi was built in 1911 by the British as the airy imperial capital of India. One of the most noteworthy architects of the time designed a broad avenue flanked by stately homes and lavish neoclassical buildings; culminating in the opulence of the presidential palaces and parliament buildings. New Delhi boasts many trendy cafés and bars that have earned the city its global reputation for cuisine, serving both the rich red curries of the North and the aromatic fish curries of the South.
A smorgasbord of sensory delights combine to create a city where ancient monuments are interwoven with grand museums, medieval bazaars display handicrafts from all across the land, modern commerce is embellished with lively music and arts, and it all ties harmoniously together to form a texture and vibrancy like no other city.
Highlights
A rambunctious rickshaw ride through the streets of Old Delhi | Tasting the tangy street food | Marveling at the devotional music sung at the Nizamuddin Dargah | Dining North Indian-style at the original Bukhara | Bargaining at the many bazaars
Interesting facts
− The capital of India has over 16.5million people
− Known to have been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC − Has been invaded, ransacked and rebuilt several times
− People of Delhi are referred to as Dilliwallahs or Delhiites
