Delhi – the wonder city – is our special focus this issue – and for many reasons. The Commonwealth Games are being held for the first time in a South Asian city – and what better choice than Delhi – the grand, historic capital of India with its layers and layers of different identities. We have taken a close look at Chandni Chowk and Kashmiri Gate neighbourhoods, which were exclusive and chic residential areas once – difficult to imagine, but true. Also, the newest and the youngest part of the capital, known as Lutyens Delhi, turns 80 next year. Delhi and Mughals are almost synonymous - Mughals ruled over Delhi for more than three centuries – all were different personalities – most had intellectual and aesthetic sophistication and left behind libraries of their own with a vast collection of books and commissioned translations – not unlike the relatively more recent tradition of Presidential Libraries in the US. We bring you a brief introduction to all the Mughal rulers – their passions and weaknesses, likes and dislikes – and how the last among them were Mughal only in name, not by ethnicity any longer, because they had more Rajput blood in their veins than central Asian.

We are also celebrating the work of an unknown, as yet, photojournalist from Delhi – Kulwant Roy and the treasure of black and white photographs that he left behind. His clear and simple pictures chronicled India before and after its independence from Britain. Some of the photographs are rare and iconic.

Far removed from the urban buzz is Arunachal Pradesh – India’s most magical and esoteric state. It is almost surreal. We take you on a journey to this culturally sophisticated part of India – where ancient traditions abound, where people still wake up every morning to mist-cloaked hills and bird calls – unlike their countrymen elsewhere who wake up to a curtain of smog and pollution and the sound of traffic and impatient horns!

Enjoy the journey this issue – into the past and present!

Wishing all our readers a Happy Diwali, Merry Christmas, and a Safe New Year.

Roopa Bakshi