India's cities: A tale of timeless continuity

Cities are viewed primarily through the lens of economic progress, but they are the living embodiment of our cultural heritage

Cities globally have been epicentres of cultural and historical movements. While delineating what has been urban about these movements can become challenging, it can’t be stressed enough that they are living entities, embodying the remnants of history. Often, cities have been viewed purely through an economic lens as hubs for growth and development due to their industrial setups that contribute to increasing productivity. However, their socio-cultural manifestations have had a significant influence in shaping a region’s culture, subjectivity and aesthetics.

India’s history is replete with such cities of significance that did not just emerge as key economic centres, but also captured