India was always an exotic land, a country that the Western world fantasized about. One of the world's most ancient civilizations took root here. Several voyages were undertaken in quest of this fabled land. Here spices were to be found, as were silks and rare jewels. Palaces stood the test of time. Great armies went to war. In the vast subcontinent could be found all the extremes of the world: the highest mountains, vast tropical plains, deep forests where the tiger made its home; here were deserts and seas, islands and riverine estuaries.
Here too were to be found the martial races that ruled India, tracing their lineage from the warring gods, and known for their aestheticism as well as their chivalry. Here Gautam was born to a royal house, but took to the streets as a monk and gave the world the message of Buddhism.
Over centuries, different dynasties ruled from different parts of the country, their kingdoms built on reciprocity with neighboring kingdoms. However, it was under the Mughals, first, and the British, next, that an attempt was made to unify the land as one nation. The British oversaw a country that consisted of 565 kingdoms. Of these, the most flamboyant were the Rajput kingdoms confined to the western desert of Thar, now known as Rajasthan, though the Maratha and Sikh kingdoms were no less formidable.
In medieval India, a bigger and better fortification was the final power statement of the warring Kings. With British sovereignty finally recognized, wars and feuds amongst princely states gradually subsided. Accordingly, fortifications gave way to wondrous, architectural feats that would inspire awe on part of peers, subjects and colonial masters. Palace building became the passion and Art deco was to be its expression.
India will sideswipe you with its size, glamour and diversity but if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then it is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth, and you'll develop an abiding passion for it.
Nothing in the country is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you. India is a litmus test for many travelers - some are only too happy to leave, while others stay for a lifetime.
The country's glorious diversity means there's an astonishing array of sacred sites, from immaculately kept Jain temples to weathered Buddhist stupas; there's history around every corner, with countless monuments, battle-scarred forts, abandoned cities and ancient ruins all having tales to tell; and there are beaches to satiate the most avid sun worshipper. On a personal level, however, India is going to be exactly what you make of it.
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