The powerful Mughal dynasty which ruled Northern India for three hundred years from the 16th to the 19th century has left a lasting influence on the region and in Delhi and Rajasthan in particular.

This influence is especially apparent in the rich array of architectural styles and handicrafts which can be sampled and enjoyed by the curious traveler.

The Mughals built many magnificent mosques, tombs and forts, such as the Red Fort, but they also practiced the art of calligraphy and their geometric patterns are still a major influence in designs used by the gem and textile industries.

Ian Wright explores these influences visiting a calligrapher and jewelers in Delhi’s old Moslem walled city, Chandni Chouk, now the heart of Old Delhi.

Meanwhile Holly Morris seeks out fabulous Rajasthani textiles in Jodhpur and visits gem workshops in Jaipur, India’s gem capital.

The Mughals were finally overthrown by the British in the 19th century and Bobby Chinn explores New Delhi, a city created by the British along Victorian lines. Here he visits, Ricki Rams, a shop which sells the sitar, originally a Mughal instrument, made famous by Musician Ravi Shankar, and even more famous when The Beatles came to visit the shop in the 1960s. The rest is history as the instrument was featured in some of the Fab Fours’ most popular compositions.