9. India: Golden Triangle – The Jewel in the Crown (part 1)

I recently visited India to explore how this country evolved and what drives it today.

Many first-time tourists start with traveling the Golden Triangle, a 720km circuit by road that provides a good spectrum of India’s landscapes and most famous structures.

What is the Golden Triangle?

This comprises three major cities located in a triangle, each in a corner of the triangle – Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur:

• Delhi – the national capital contains both Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi has remnants of the Mughal Empire, while New Delhi features architectural relics of British colonialism.

• Agra – the heart of the Mughal Empire, famous for its iconic structures.

• Jaipur – the Pink City, the capital of Rajasthan State in north-western India, known for its forts and palaces.

The Triangle is called "Golden" because of its vast cultural and historical wealth. Within India, it is often referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown” as it represents the best the country has to offer in a relatively small area. Historically, during British rule, India itself was considered "the jewel in the crown" due to its immense economic value, strategic geopolitical position, and rich cultural heritage.

Mughal Empire: An Important Era in India’s Development

In 1525, Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire and a descendant of Genghis Khan, entered the Punjab (located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent) comprising areas of modern-day eastern-Pakistan and northwestern India, marking the start of a rule that lasted until 1857, when the British took over. During this period, the Islamic Mughal Empire was a despotic and heavily militarized regime, yet it achieved significant artistic milestones, especially in architecture and visual arts, many of which remain key attractions in the Golden Triangle today. A prime example of how India shaped the world.

Delhi: National Capital of India

The city of Delhi includes New Delhi and Old Delhi. New Delhi, inaugurated as India’s capital in 1931 by the British, remains the governmental seat. Visitors experience two contrasting worlds:

• New Delhi to the west is a modern city with sophisticated infrastructure.

• Old Delhi is more traditional, featuring ancient buildings and much of the city’s history.

Delhi, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, is over 3,000 years old. The metro region now houses more than 33 million people. Delhi has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt multiple times, resulting in eight historical cities, their archaeological remains mingling with modern superstructures.

Rickshaws in Ghandni Ghowk Street

Tourist attractions in Old Delhi include the Red Fort, built in 1648 with walls extending over 2 kilometres. Chandni Chowk, the bustling main street, is lined with temples and churches from all major religions. A rickshaw ride through its chaos, punctuated by the iconic sound of honking horns, is quintessentially Indian. The Jama Masjid, a marble and redstone mosque, offers a peaceful escape from the surrounding chaos.

The Qutub Minar, a 12th-century sandstone tower, stands 70 meters tall, making it the tallest minaret in India. It was constructed by Delhi’s first Muslim ruler and is an architectural marvel.

Beside the Qutub Minar is the Iron Pillar, an incredible 1,600-year-old artifact. Despite being exposed to the elements, this pillar has defied time and remains unrusted, a testament to ancient metallurgical expertise.

The centrepiece of New Delhi is the Rajpath, a grand boulevard stretching from the President’s Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan) to India Gate, the iconic 42-meter-high war memorial arch. This impressive avenue showcases the city’s historical and political significance.

One of my most enduring memories of Delhi is the constant noise of beeping horns from rickshaws, scooters, motorcycles, and cars. Honking is a common practice used to signal overtaking, often on the inside lane. The bustling streets are dominated by motorcycles and scooters, frequently carrying three or four people on a single vehicle.

To Be Continued in the next post...