TRAVEL FEATURE - INDIA
LEIGH WILKINS
THE DEAL WITH DELHI
Stepping from Indira Gandhi International Airport , a clean , modern construction , envy of many such ports across the globe , is a shock from which many will never recover however , if your mind is open and never closed to opportunities you are in for a treat .
The pleasant , controlled atmosphere of the airport is soon slapped back to reality as the hot , humid air envelopes the traveller , dragging along the first inclinations of what India ’ s capital city is about . Delhi is hectic , at times chaotic , a cosmopolitan conglomerate of cultures and religions that meld into a cacophony of sensory overload . It ’ s overwhelming , it ’ s wonderful .
Delhi , the city , not the region , is the capital of India , with a population of over 28 million within the greater , or National Capital Territory . In this regard it is the second most populated city in the world , just behind Tokyo , and with it comes the associated issues , some that are seen as the charm of such a city .
India ’ s capital has a history as colourful as the current population , rich in culture , religion , rebellion , and politics . Texts and artwork describe a city that dates as far back as 400BC , architectural archaeology suggest one hundred years less . In fact , seven considered cities form what is the region of current Delhi . King ’ s and rulers vied for control of the region , and while the population were unified through religion it seemed they were less so as a people .
Enter the Mughals . Invaders entered Delhi as early as 1192 , Muhammed Ghori wanted northern India . Within 15 years Qutb-uddin Aibak was in control creating the Delhi Sultanate , the Mamluk dynasty had begun . The Qutb Minar was constructed , a monument to the religion new to the region , Islam , built upon the temples of the
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