Culture Quest

Seven must-visit destination ideas, steeped in history, for your autumn break.

- Yasaswini Sampathkumar

Ajmer, Rajasthan Tucked away in central Rajasthan, around 400 kms from Delhi and 130 kms from Jaipur is the small town of Ajmer. It has played a largely unknown, but important role in shaping Islamic culture in the subcontinent. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was one of the major proponents of Sufism in India, and the Ajmer Sharif dargah, built over his grave, is one of the most important sites of qawwali. It was a significant move for Islam in India, allowing music in the process of worship, and possibly contributed to the spread of devotional music in the region. In that spirit, the dargah continues to be a symbol of India’s syncretic culture. It attracts Hindus as well as Muslims, especially since local folklore says that visiting the dargah will grant you your heart’s desire. Eat delicious hot kachoris and kadhi in the small shops leading up to the shrine, then sit inside the dargah to enjoy the soulful qawwali.

Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh The city of Gwalior is often defined by its fort, which was built between the sixth and 10th centuries. The Gwalior fort has since been used by a number of dynasties, and the inscriptions on its walls tell interesting stories. For a dose of ancient history though, look for the oldest known representation of