Welcome to the Taj Mahal in India - Page 2

Fatehpur Sikri Palace near the Taj Mahal.

As we were nearing Fatehpur Sikri, we marveled at the well preserved buildings erected by the Maharajas of the time, each seeking to build a better monument than the other. They were not only superbly built but the intricate work left one wondering how such marvelous work could have been done in the days when the technology was nowhere as advanced as today.

Fatehpur Sikri is now a World Heritage site. The royal city at Fatehpur Sikri, situated 26 miles west of Agra, was built on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Palace of Five Storeys and the Buland Darwaza, a massive gate which provides entrance to the Complex, is numbered among the finest specimens of Mughal architecture. With its elaborate palaces, formal courtyards reflecting pools, harems, tombs and a great Mosque, the complex is looked upon as one of the greatest accomplishment of Mughal architecture.

The beauty and the Corinthian grace of unsurpassable work on the well preserved buildings and sandstone palaces left a lasting impression on the group.

Also the cleanliness of the entire complex was unbelievable. The few workers around were properly attired and clean, and a young boy who approached us asking for pens was clean and his clothes immaculate. This once glittering capital was later abandoned due to scarcity of water.

The group later boarded our buses and made our way to Jaipur, an approximately five hour drive away. Popularly known as the Pink City, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan state. It is also the former capital of a princely state of the same name. The city was founded in 1728 by Maharaja Jai Singh 11, the ruler of Amber.

It was built of pink stucco in imitation of sandstone and is remarkable among pre-modern Indian cities for the width and regularity of its streets. The city is laid out into six quarters, separated by broad streets.

Jaipur, The Pink City of India.

Jaipur is considered by many urbanists as one of the best planned cities. During the British rule, Jaipur was ruled by the Rajput Mararajas of the Kachwaha clan.

The grounds of the former Maharaja's palace occupy one seventh of the municipal area. Among Jaipur's famed art products are jewelry, enamels, and muslins. Its industries include metalworking, engineering and manufacturing in glass, carpets, hosiery, shoes, blankets and chemicals. Rajasthan University is also located there and just outside on the sidewalk can be seen women and children poorly clad and sleeping on cardboards. The city also had its slum area where poverty and destitution stared you in the eye. It was a sight that many of us will not forget. You cannot miss the stench and the low level of livelihood in some areas.

Hotel Mansingh in New Delhi.

We later checked into Hotel Mansingh, located near all the famous tourist attractions and commercial centers. With its elegantly decorated guest rooms equipped with modern amenities, the hotel has 100 rooms , each with air condition and direct dial telephones.

The Sheesh Mahal provides mouth-watering delicacies, a light lunch or full dinner. Ripples coffee shop starts the morning with a delicious cup of coffee or tea and a selection of sweets. The Indian Folk and Cultural Show is an additional attraction at the hotel, staffed by courteous and efficient personnel.

The next morning some members of the group opted for individual outings while others went on a tour of the city. We, that is my wife, Peter and his wife Maureen, opted for a visit to Babu Bazaar, named after the famous Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi. As we stepped out of the hotel, we were approached by several taxi drivers who wanted to charge us 80 Rupees, about US$2 for taking us about three miles. Before we left the hotel, one of the managers advised us to only pay $50 rupees. One young driver, Lokesh Visnu said he would take us to the Bazaar for $50 Rupees and the four of us hopped into his taxi.

He spoke English fluently and told us that he would willingly wait on us and take us to any other areas we desire. As we started off, we encountered the by now customary wide array of users of the road including buses, vans, trucks, cars, motor cycles, scooters, hand pushed rickshaws and pulleys as well as motorized rickshaws, bull carts, etc., all seemingly in a mad scramble for access to the road.

The throng of Delhi.

Lokesh handled the traffic with calm and along the way we came across people clad in different types of clothing, and also others who barely had any clothing. Some who had were obviously in the lower class of society as their attire was torn and dirty.

He parked the vehicle a distance from the Bazaar and we weaved a path across the road, under dangerous conditions as no one gave you the opportunity to cross. Lokesh led the way and we eventually entered the bazaar.

The stores were jam-packed and were on each side of the street. Numerous stores offered spices, drinks, dried tea, peppers, curry power, cinnamon, and herbs while others offered sandals, shoes, leather bags, slippers, clothing, bedspreads, shirts, blouses, art work, paintings, antiques, jewelry, craftwork, chains, necklaces, books with photos, framed photos, and other souvenirs and of course replicas of the famous Taj Mahal.

Lokesh remained with us and helped us in the bargaining. Any prices put forward by the merchant was met by a 50 percent reduction in our offer, but eventually we had a very good deal with all of our purchases. Shanker Saree Emporium at Shop No 29 at Bapu Bazaar offered a wide selection of sari and suit pieces, while Sapna at shop 171 Bapu Bazaar dealt exclusively with Salwar suits and dress materials.

After hours of shopping, we decided that it was time to return to the hotel. Lokesh offered to take us out to dinner that night at his parents home or at a restaurant but we declined since we had to awake early to leave for Delhi.

We retired early to bed after taking a light dinner and awoke at 5 a.m. showered, had breakfast and prepared to depart for another six to seven hours ride to Delhi. We slept some of the way and stopped for lunch at a restaurant.

As we neared Delhi we could notice the modern and huge buildings, the wide streets, construction for miles and miles of new and expanded roads and overpass with what seemed to reflect an economic boom. Along the way we sighted huge apartment complexes and homes that must belong to the affluent. Office buildings were of the most modern and up to date.

Eventually we arrived at our destination, the Crown Plaza Hotel where we were warmly greeted. The staff welcomed us and ushered us into our respective rooms with a wake up call set for 2 a.m. as we had to get ready to go to the airport. My wife wanted to purchase a DVD of the latest Indian movie so we asked our guide. He informed us that we can take a five minute walk to a store a short distance away so we set out. We were accosted by several taxi drivers who offered to take us for 10 Rupees. We eventually picked one driver, and we set out. He sped out of the parking lot at such a rate that we felt our hearts were in our hands. My wife kept saying that she did not want to go anymore but wanted to return to the hotel. The driver said "I am a Sikh, I do not lie. Five minutes more only." So we decided to hang on. He took us to a store which sold brass products and after we complained he took us to the equivalent to a radio shop. We did not find the DVD so we returned to the hotel. I paid him the 10 Rupees we agreed upon.

The journey was not long but treacherous and nail biting. But to his credit, Jairam Singh handled the traffic with ease.

Later, we gathered for a festive farewell dinner at a popular Delhi Restaurant, 45 minutes away from the Crown Plaza. It was another nightmarish journey but Singh got us there safely, but the drive was worth it as the dinner was excellent. Chicken and rice was the main dish along with curry and roti (bread).

As we returned to the hotel, each person had one objective and that was to pack and prepare for our return trip home.

We were up early and put out luggage out so that the staff could take them to the bus. One couple did not receive the wake up call so were very late in departing for the airport.

At the airport, we said our goodbyes and got out seats assigned for a long flight to New York and then from New York to Miami.

My wife and I were happy that we were able to visit the Taj Mahal and see Uttar Pradesh, the birth place of my great grandfather. For us, it was a memorable trip.

— Feature and most photos by Edwin Ali, Jetsetters Magazine Moslem Features Editor.