ASIANOVERLAND.NET SYDNEY TO LONDON DAY 106/328/18: CONNAUGHT PLACE, DELHI, INDIA

The contrast between bustling, rampaging, poverty stricken Old Delhi, and New Delhi, is amazing. A New Dehli shopping favourite (in total contrast to CHANDNI CHOWK), was Janpath and the underground bazaar under Connaught Place, just inside New Delhi, perfectly positioned, being a nice walk from the Delhi Gate Camping ground.

Nirulas restaurant in Connaught Place was also one of the few places you could get Western food in India. Nirulas was a favourite for overlanders, especially for its pizzas, salad smorgasbord, icecream and icecream sundaes, all which were not otherwise on the menu during the 15,000 km overland drive from Kathmandu to London.

General disaffection with the East India Company grew as soon as the Company gained control of India, and set off the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Fed by diverse resentments and perceptions, including invasive British-style social reforms, harsh land taxes, and summary treatment of some rich landowners and princes, the rebellion rocked many regions of northern and central India and shook the foundations of East India Company rule. Although the Indian Rebellion was suppressed by 1858, it led to the dissolution of the East India Company and the direct administration of India by the British government.

British Crown rule began in 1858. The rights promised to Indians were granted slowly, if at all, but technological changes like railways and telegraph lines were introduced.

In 1911 the British moved their capital from Calcutta in Bengal to New Delhi, establishing New Delhi as a modern capital of British India. Connaught Place construction work began in 1929 and was completed in 1933.

Meanwhile, as Britain was building its new capital of British India, a pioneering and influential Indian nationalist movement emerged, which was noted for nonviolent resistance, and became the major factor in ending British rule in 1947.

One visible remnant of British rule in India, was cricket, which was played nearly everywhere, and the locals always encouraged us to join their local cricket games in the streets. However, we were warned by locals to avoid going to major cricket matches at the New Dehli Stadium, as we would be the only westerners there, and would not be made welcome.

Our westbound overland Trip Book records:

“DAY 18   5/10/’80

Our “dates” arrived early only to find us in the nick under the shower! Sara definitely made an impression on them as she spoke her mind like a true Aussie.

The latter part of the afternoon picked up – good smoke.

Went shopping.

What a day! - oh my darling Clementine!

Brian & Jim were the centre of attention at the local cricket game, as well as being the bullseye for stones & banana skins etc.

Everyone had big piles of salad from the smorgasbord at Nirulas as they hadn’t eaten for yonks.

And …..dribble...dribble.... ICECREAM SUNDAES

OH LUXURY!!!”

↑ Day 105 ↓ Day 107