There is perhaps no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and, more recently the British, all of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again, rebuilding it at least seven times.
Today, the adjoined cities of Old and New Delhi are home to countless wonders. In the densely populated old city there is the mighty Mughal-built Red Fort, the vast Jama Masjid Mosque. Between the two are the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk, where you will find a bewildering array of wares being traded. In New Delhi, designated as the capital by the British in 1911, there are the grand Lutyens-designed government buildings, the majestic India Gate war memorial, the thriving hub of Connaught Circus, and broad leafy streets radiating outwards that give much of the city a park-like feel. Most visitors to Northern India will arrive and depart from Delhi and it is certainly worth spending a couple of days to delve beneath the surface and explore the city’s museums, street bazaars and historical sites.