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After independence in 1947 the Indian government took two momentous decisions that
still dominate its economic destiny.
a) it chose to favour the development of its weak industrial sector over that of its
agriculture that provided a livelihood for 90 % of its population.
b) It chose to develop the industrial sector through state capitalism thereby favouring
the more educated castes and building a huge centralised public administration.
That's why we had to come to the capital to evaluate the possibility of doing business in India, not in theory but in practice.
After endless meetings with civil servants, attorneys and "business agents" we took a well deserves afternoon off to visit Delhi's famous Red Fort built by Shah Jahan from 1638 to 1648 at the zenith of Moghul power.
The main gate, also called Lahore gate, features an exterior vestibule that must be crossed before reaching a second gate trough the 33 m high western walls.
Below, the second gate viewed from outside on the left and the same gate viewed from inside the walls on the right.
Only some of the original buildings have been restored, most have disappeared. This elegant Hall of Public Audiences was restored by Lord Curzon at the turn of the 20th century.
This exquisite pavilion was part of the emperor's private palace on the eastern wall overlooking the Yamuna river.
Below left, the same pavilion and part of the 18 m high eastern walls on the river side.
Below right is the only photo I have of the marble inside walls inlaid with semiprecious stones.
It was a very interesting mission for me. I learned how religious values can lurk behind an outside facade that can appear modern with the result that words can have quite different meanings in India and in the western world. The words "community", "nation" and "democracy" for example.
