Just finished a three day trip to New Delhi for work, which because it was for focus groups left me all morning and afternoon for sightseeing (as well as coming back to Chicago with a new found appreciation for our traffic situation – North Ave and the Kennedy all is forgiven!)
New Delhi is a huge city, 70 mln, and very poor, you never get over all the crowds of people, many of them, young and old, doing backbreaking manual labor with few or no tools. It’s also on the side of a dessert, so is incredibly dusty all the time, but the people are warm and friendly, and you walk away struck by how similar people are regardless of their circumstances. The city itself has an incredible history as the centre of the Mughal Empire.
The first few photos were of ruins built by Akbar the great who went on to build the Taj Mahal (200miles to the south)
The next one is of the Indian equivalent of the White House and the final set are of the Red Fort, probably the most impressive castle I’ve ever seen (the seat of Mughal power and then the English – but as my cab driver said of the latter “they didn’t stay very long” talk about a sense of history!)
Probably the scariest thing I did the whole trip was get in a small pedicab and cycle around the streets of Old Delhi, a primarily Muslim area where the streets are two small for cars – Delhi may be many things, but as much as a lot of people rely on bikes, it is not bike friendly! The final photo is one of the most common freight bikes you see in New Delhi
The next set are from Lodhi Gardens, an 14thC set of buildings where wealthy New Delhians come to work out in the morning
There are also many, many amazing mosques, in the same way a European city will have cathedrals
But my final visit was, next to the Red Fort, probably the most impressive, an 11th century tower and mosque. The folks I met there were justifiably very proud of it and I laughed when they asked if Ireland had anything similar, all I could think of is the Spire on O’Connell Street!
That taxi driver does have a great sense of history! Excellent pics and an interesting read. I can see how you would have struggled with finding a comparison for that 11th century tower… Maybe Newgrange but nope nothing in downtown Dublin!
What an amazing trip – you did really well to see all of that! Glad you’re back safe!
Great photos! Along the crowded streets of old Delhi, masses of wire and cable are hung above. Do you suppose some of that has to do with Internet connections? Lots of beautiful architecture in the mosques. So many have a Taj Mahal-like look. I appreciate what you wrote about having a new, more positive perspective on the traffic on the Kennedy and North Avenue!
Actually those cables are all electricity wires, most indians who access the internet use their phones to access the internet.
It was great to read about your experience in India. I have a strong affinity for India, and this post and these pictures brought back memories. I could even smell it in my mind 🙂 What a rich country. Thickly rich with the colors, dust, smiles, noises, and smells. When I need a perspective check, I try to remember India.
What amazing photos John. Glad you back safe.
You won’t forget that trip for while. I’m afraid the Spire in OConnell St has lots to live up to.