Janpath: Difference between revisions

'''Janpath''' (meaning '''People's Path''', [[British Raj|formerly]] known as '''Queensway'''), is one of the main roads in New Delhi. It starts out as Radial Road 1 in [[Connaught Place, New Delhi|Connaught Place]], adjacent to [[Palika Bazaar]], and runs north–south perpendicular to [[Rajpath|Kartavya Path]] (earlier Rajpath or the "Rulers' path"). Originally called Queen's Way, it was an important part of [[Edwin Lutyens|Lutyens]]' design of the administrative [[New Delhi]], upon the inauguration of new capital of India in 1931. Janpath Market is one of the most famous markets for tourists (both Indian and foreign) in New Delhi. The market essentially is a long line of boutique stores selling products which are hard to find in the malls and multi-chain stores of the city. The long line of boutiques is for budget travellers and shoppers, buyers of handicrafts and garments, curio and numerous Indian-style fast-food places.<ref>[http://www.wcities.com/en/record/62,319640/684/record.html Janpath Market]</ref> It was created during the [[Construction of New Delhi]].

The Janpath market stretches around {{convert|1.5|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} from the Outer Circle of Connaught Place to Windsor Place.<ref name=bus04>{{cite news |title=Janpath: Oxford Street in the making |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2004/04/10/stories/2004041001710100.htm |publisher=Business Line |date=10 April 2004 }}</ref> Janpath Market is one of the most famous markets for tourists (both Indian and foreign) in New Delhi. The market essentially is a long line of boutique stores selling products which cannot be found in today's malls and showrooms of the city. It is also one of the oldest markets of New Delhi with establishment of some boutiques dating back to 1950. It is most popular for the exquisite ''Pashmina'' Shawl from Kashmir. Most markets in Delhi are known to carry duplicates however one can find the original quality here. Among other exquisite items are the ''Kashmiri'' wool shawls and scarves, Indian ''Kurtis'' and ''Churidars'' brass ornaments and artefacts, carpets and other gift items. The Indian Tourist Office is on the corner of Janpath and Connaught Lane, and good maps can be purchased there. Between Fire Lane and the Imperial Hotel, the [[Tibet]]an Market can be found which has a wide range of Himalayan arts and crafts. Musical instruments, wall hangings and bead shops are in abundance. Behind the Tibetan Market, on [[Tolstoy Marg]], is the [[Jantar Mantar]], an astrological instrument of immense proportions.

The Janpath Market also has an abundance of walking [[vendor]]s who sell trinkets, such as necklaces, chunky jewellery, [[jooti]]s, handicraft items. drums, horns and postcards, particularly to foreigners, most of whom now know about the bargaining required.<ref>{{cite news|title=Foreigners throng Janpath market |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/015200811161340.htm |publisherwork=The Hindu |date=16 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709234243/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/015200811161340.htm |archive-date= 9 July 2013 }}</ref>

In popular culture it became the title, of noted play, titled ''Janpath Kiss'' (1976).<ref>''The Janpath kiss'', by Akhileshwar Jha. Sterling Publishers, 1976.</ref> It is mentioned in [[Daniel Odier]]'s ''Tantric Quest, Encounter With Absolute Love'' (1996).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://es.scribd.com/document/536294294/Tantric-Quest-Encounter-With-Absolute-Love-Daniel-Odier# | title=Tantric Quest, Encounter with Absolute Love-Daniel Odier &#124; PDF }}</ref>