The friendly faces of India
India is such a conundrum that a basic appreciation of its history with our pictorial journey will help you understand and enjoy its myriad colours and cultures; revealing the ethnic origins of India’s people. India’s rich and turbulent history, perhaps more than any other country, has shaped its culture, traditions, religions, languages, social structure – and features – both architecturally and physically in the smiling faces...
Tribal Troubles – Marginalised in Madhya Pradesh
Many contemplating travel to India are discouraged by its poverty but the root cause and solution to this often lies in the beautiful rural countryside. We urge you to visit and learn more. The slums and bustees of Mumbai and Delhi, populated by millions of displaced people on the breadline often originate from marginalised tribal villages throughout the country. Our own experience of working in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh...
A day out in Delhi
It’s well worth driving around the principal sights and sites of Delhi to get an impression of how the architecture – and country – has evolved over the centuries. Each of the significant invaders and occupiers of India is well represented across the capital and many of the sites are worth at least a drive by rather than an in-depth investigation, unless you’re an historian or architect. It’s too easy just to chill out after...
Rags & Riches in Samode
It’s not likely that you’ve ever heard of Samode village in India but it offers an eye-opening contrast between medieval Indian rural life and that of the old princely families. Situated 25kms north of Jaipur in the State of Rajasthan, it will be by-passed by those intent on a quick-fix ‘Golden Triangle’ tour of India and ignored by those now tempted by the more majestic attractions of the continent elsewhere. It would be...
The time capsule that’s Fatehpur Sikri
Often missed but very much a part of the ‘Golden Triangle’ in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh, India; this abandoned city encapsulates Murghal life in a way that the tourist-smothered monuments of Agra fall short. Fatehpur Sikri is only an hour’s drive – 40kms – west from Agra but is often by-passed in favour of heading in all haste to Rajasthan. Don’t be tempted to give it a wide berth. For us, this ancient capital, which...
