Delhi
Qutab Minar
I am afraid we didn’t really like Delhi (New or Old) very much. It is a massive teeming city. There is the height of luxury right next to dreadful squalor. Difficult to get used to. However some of the monuments & tourist sights were great to see.
We started in Delhi visiting this 13th century Victory tower, Qutab Minar, in Old Delhi near our hotel. At 230 ft, this is the highest such tower in India. In the complex are ruins of the earliest Mosque in India built over an even earlier Hindu Temple.
The Qutab Minar area was a very peaceful introduction into the history of Delhi & India.
This ancient monument celebrates the advent of Muslim dominance in Delhi. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. However for safety reasons, you can’t now climb up the tower. Shame.
This 5th Century Iron Pillar is 24 feet high and weighs over 6 tons. It has been exposed to the elements for 1,500 years, but because the metal is so pure, it shows no signs of corrosion – more than I can say about the old Vauxhall I used to own.
All the walls are intricately carved, the detail is amazing.
Humayan’s Tomb
One of the most spectacular Mughal buildings in Delhi, precursor to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Built in memory of the second Mughal Emperor in 1570. It is the first grand dynastic garden mausoleum built in India.
The monument is set in superb, tranquil gardens. In some ways this was a more enjoyable visit than the Taj Mahal, as there were no teeming crowds.
The Red Fort
The imposing Lahore Gate of the Red Fort in Old Delhi. It was built by Shah Jahan (of Taj Mahal fame). The Red Fort gets its name from the huge walls of red sandstone which are 2.5km long and 33m high. We saw a very dated Son et Lumiere show here on our last night.
The Viceroy’s House
The Viceroy’s House, now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the Indian President’s residence.
New Delhi was built in the British Imperial style early in the last century. Edwin Lutyens was the architect responsible for the design of a lot of these buildings and monuments including the ex-Viceroy’s Palace. Even these wrought iron gates were designed by Lutyens.
India Gate
India Gate in New Delhi is an imposing structure, some 42 meters high. Built to commemorate the 90,000 Indian soldiers lost in WWI. A popular place for picnics, if you avoid the hawkers.
Through India Gate you can just see another war memorial raised by Indira Gandhi after one of the Indo-Pakistan conflicts.
Gandhi
What is now the Gandhi Museum is where Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. His last walk is marked out in the garden by plaster footprints, you can see one on the step of the memorial.
The Raj Ghat is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and is now a National Shrine.
The Mewar Express from Delhi to Udaipur
We were the only ones in this carriage for the overnight sleeper train – all the other carriages were packed out.
India has the largest railway system in the world. It is a great way to travel. We had someone come round to our compartment to offer us an evening meal. All we could eat – for less than a couple of ££s.
