The British ruled India upto 1947 when India was partitioned. The legacy of the British is still evident in India in its hills, architecture, people. Here we take a tour of some of the well known places of the ‘British Raj’. But first, the all favourite Taj Mahal.

Day 6  and 7 – back to Delhi and flight to Lahore (Pakistan) -   OPTIONAL  Stay at the Pearl Residency or similar. Sightseeing of Lahore  to visit its magnificent mosques and gardens. The city with its wide tree-lined streets and residential bungalows set in large shaded gardens is one of the prettiest cities in Pakistan.

Lahore’s history, which once was the capital of undivided Punjab, goes back to the days of the Ramayana, but reached its glory only under the Mughal rule when it was Akbar’s capital from 1584-98.

With the decline of the Mughal Empire, Lahore was captured by Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh, who declared himself Maharajah of the Punjab. Ranjit’s troops desecrated many of the city’s beautiful Islamic shrines, including the Baadshahi Mosque. Sikhs ruled Lahore from 1799 to 1849,  making it the capital of their empire. However, the last Anglo-Sikh war resulted in a British victory, bringing Lahore under the rule of the British crown. The British, following their invasion of Lahore in 1849, added a great many buildings in "Mughal-Gothic" style as well as some shady  bungalows and gardens.

Day 8 and 9 – Fly from Lahore to Lucknow via Delhi. Stay at the Taj Residency.

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh. It is famous for its gardens, parks and unique archaeological monuments.. Known for its ‘adab’ and ‘tehzeeb’ (cultural refinement). Lucknow is also associated with its legendary hospitality, leisurely moods of life, fabled edifices steeped in history and world renowned cuisine.

Sightseeing tour of Lucknow city, including the Bara or Great Imambara, tomb of a shite holy man,  built in 1784, which has one of the largest vaulted galleries in the world with the central hall being 50m  long and 15m  high.

Also visit the Residency, built in 1800. For the British resident this group of buildings became the stage for the most dramatic events of the 1857 Mutiny/Uprising –the Seige of Lucknow.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, often known as the First War of Indian Independence. The Indian Mutiny was a period of armed uprisings against colonial authority of the East India Company in India between early 1857 and mid 1858. It was concentrated mainly in north central India, with some outbreaks elsewhere. Small precursors of brewing discontent involving incidences of arson in cantonment areas began to manifest themselves in January 1857. Later, a large-scale rebellion broke out in May and turned into what may be called a ‘full-fledged war’ in the affected regions. This war brought about the end of the British East India Company's rule in India, and led to direct rule by the British government (British Raj) of much of the Indian subcontinent for the next 90 years.

Day 12 and 13 –   OPTIONAL    -  Fly from  Kolkata to Bagdogra. Drive to Darjeeling (about 3 hours). Stay at the Mayfair Hotel. 

Darjeeling the ‘Queen’ of hill stations, a great favourite with the British. Visit the  Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, Zoological gardens, Monasteries , Tibetan refugee center, Zoo , Tiger Hill for fantastic sunrise views. Ride in the toy train. See the most fantastic views of Kanchenjunga (the third highest mountain in the world)  

Darjeeling, is famous for producing one of the finest teas in the world with a unique and delicate aroma. Visit a tea estate.

Day 14 – Fly from Bagdogra to Delhi or Kolkata. Stay at the Imperial (Delhi) or Oberoi Grand (Kolkata)

Day 15 – Flight to onward destination.

OPTIONAL -  spend two days or more at Glenburn Tea Estate.  Visit Sikkim or Bhutan  or Kaziranga National Park. Visit Andaman Islands, Sunderbans Park – home of the Bengal Tiger.