BOOKS FOR THE BACKPACK
Journey across India through these books that shed light on the intriguing history and vibrant culture of the country.
P. Sainath
Although the book is almost two decades old, the issues brought up by the Magsaysay-awardee are still relevant. It is a collection of rural field reports that elaborates on the daily struggles of the poor in India, and the efforts made by authorities to uplift them. It has been prescribed in over 100 universities and colleges around the world.
PRICE ` 459/USD6 AVAILABLE ON amazon.in
William Dalrymple
Dalrymple narrates the real-life love story of James Achilles Kirkpatrick and Khair un-Nissa that takes place in early 19th-century Hyderabad. It gives a detailed picture of the sociopolitical-cultural life in India at the time, documents the interethnic liaisons between British officers and Indian women, and gives insight into the history of the AngloIndian community.
PRICE ` 438/USD6 AVAILABLE ON flipkart.com
also experiencing other cultures—getting to know the people and trying local food. We were always interested in Indian culture, so we didn’t have to think twice about a trip to India.
Q.
What was your first impression of India?
Many expat travellers told us they experienced a cultural shock, but surprisingly, we did not. We started our trip in Jaipur and couldn’t stop admiring all the colours.
Q.
Which places did you visit in the country? And which one turned out to be your favourite?
During our seven weeks in India, we went to Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore, Amritsar, Rishikesh, Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi. We loved all of them, but if we had to pick a favourite, it would be Jaipur because of the beautiful architecture—the Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort were just exquisite.
Q.
Can you narrate one experience that stands out from your holiday?
The sunrise boat trip on the River Ganga in Varanasi, with a view of the ghats, was otherworldly. The Ganga aarti is also something we will never forget.
Q.
What is a unique aspect about travelling in India that you have not seen elsewhere?
We have never seen elephants, camels, goats,
and rickshaws using the same street at the same time, anywhere else. It happens only in India!
Q.
A word of advice to international travellers visiting India for the first time.
Be open-minded, immerse yourself in the culture, and try all the delicious food.
Q.
How do you suggest international travellers plan their visit to India?
India is a huge country, and travelling from one point to another can take a long time, so factor that in when you plan the route. If you plan to travel by train, get the tickets as early as possible, as most trains get fully booked pretty fast.