IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DYNASTIES LOST

India is a continent of stories, where civilisations rise and fall, leaving their mark through the ages. For those drawn to the resonance of history, a visit to Chennai in the south and New Delhi in the north will illuminate the cultural foundations that form India's soul.

- WORDS AMANDA SAW

India sprawls across an astonishing 3.2 million square kilometres, its terrain shifting from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the sun kissed shores of the south. It is a land where over 1.4 billion voices speak in more than 1,600 languages, and where landscapes, cultures, and histories harmonise in a country as vast as it is intricate.

Within this immense mosaic, two cities emerge as emblematic beacons: New Delhi and Chennai. Distinct in geography, culture and spirit, these metropolises embody the enduring legacies of two great historical empires — the Maurya and the Chola dynasties. Each of these have shaped the subcontinent’s governance, culture, religion, and art and even identity as we know it today. Exploring every corner of India may be a challenge, but for travellers eager to get a foot in the door, a week spent in these two cities — one in the north and the other in the south — provides a compelling introduction to Bharat, as India is called in Hindi.

We began in New Delhi. While the Mauryan dynasty may not announce itself in the form of ruins, the empire's influence forms the very foundation of ancient India’s power and ingenuity. They were the first rulers to unify the subcontinent during the period of fourth to second century BC, carving the vast realm that today became known as India. For the traveller, the brilliance of the Mauryan era is glimpsed in monuments like the iconic Ashokan Pillars, their polished sandstone surfaces etched with governance edicts that travelled further than armies.