- Paperback: 1456 pages
- Publisher: Rough Guides Ltd; 6th Revised edition edition (1 Oct 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1843535017
- ISBN-13: 978-1843535010
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 221,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
The Rough Guide to India is the essential handbook to this extraordinary country. The 24 page full-colour introduction includes stunning photography of the country's many highlights. The guide has comprehensive accounts of every attraction, from fast-paced Delhi and the sacred sites of the Ganges plain to the Moghul splendour of Agra and the shell-sand beaches of the south. There is also practical advice on activities as diverse as boating through the Keralan backwaters, hiking through the high-altitude deserts of Ladakh or treatments at an ayurvedic spa. The listings sections provide hundreds of insider reviews of the best hotels, hostels, restaurants, bars, shops and museums in every city and village. The authors also give an informed insight into India's history, politics, religion, music and cinema, providing a valuable context to the reader's trip.
About the Author
Written by a team of Rough Guide authors who have been writing, researching and updating the guide since its first edition in 1988.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My friends and I spent 3 months in India with both the Lonely Planet and the Rough Guide and 9 times out of 10 we referred to the Rough Guide. Fewer people carry the Rough Guide which means that the 'unspoilt' stuff remains less spoiled. The information is more reliable, the accomodation reviews are more accurate, and it's lighter to carry.
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Despite the inferior quality of the photo reproduction I've always thought that Rough Guide is better value than Lonely Planet. It is generally more informative, more erudite, and the style is arguably geared to a wider readership, while LP leans more towards backpackers and gap-year students. I also think LP is more prone to hyperbole while Rough Guide is normally unflinchingly honest about places. It's perceived negativity is for me a bonus as it is often better to travel with lower or at least realistic expectations. As it says in the opening gambit, many travellers head for India expecting to 'encounter a timeless ascetic wonderland and are surprised to find one of the most materialistic societies on the planet'. I think this is pretty spot-on. There is no point in going to India and not being prepared for the filth, pollution, traffic chaos and inequality otherwise you will quickly need to reevaluate your trip on arrival.
A couple of criticisms: Rough Guide hotel information can be a little out of date by the time of your visit. Research on updating hotel email addresses and websites should be more thorough, although the publishing schedules for books of this sort make it almost impossible to keep up with the rate of change in a country like India. Also, I think that Rough Guide would benefit more from a Le Routard-style rating system for monuments and cities. Although travelling is highly subjective, more editorial guidance would be helpful for the traveller to distinguish between cities like, for instance, Jodphur and Jaipur. Empirically, there is a massive difference, Jodphur is a much calmer, better-maintained, less-polluted and more hassle-free destination, but you can't really predict this from the guide. Furthermore, this guide describes the lakes at Updaipur as "half-full" and a "trash-strewn puddle". At the time of writing the lakes had been fully replenished by monsoon rains and are certainly an essential stop on any Rajasthan itinerary. Nevertheless, this is still the best product of its kind on the market and a must for all visitors.
A couple of criticisms: Rough Guide hotel information can be a little out of date by the time of your visit. Research on updating hotel email addresses and websites should be more thorough, although the publishing schedules for books of this sort make it almost impossible to keep up with the rate of change in a country like India. Also, I think that Rough Guide would benefit more from a Le Routard-style rating system for monuments and cities. Although travelling is highly subjective, more editorial guidance would be helpful for the traveller to distinguish between cities like, for instance, Jodphur and Jaipur. Empirically, there is a massive difference, Jodphur is a much calmer, better-maintained, less-polluted and more hassle-free destination, but you can't really predict this from the guide. Furthermore, this guide describes the lakes at Updaipur as "half-full" and a "trash-strewn puddle". At the time of writing the lakes had been fully replenished by monsoon rains and are certainly an essential stop on any Rajasthan itinerary. Nevertheless, this is still the best product of its kind on the market and a must for all visitors.
63 of 65 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I travel in India every year and pick a new one up every time. I usually leave the old one for Indian relatives who say they're an excellent read ;)
Even if you're not travelling in India, this book is fascinating and 'unputdownable'. It covers every aspect of this complex and ancient country in informative, readable sections ranging from history, culture, language, politics through to food, bribes, sex, drugs and Bollywood movies. From personal knowledge I can confirm that this edition has been updated to reflect recent changes (a must since India is currently one of the most rapidly transforming nations on earth) and the intelligent coverage even includes analysis of the effects of the IT and BioMedical science booms on Indian society.
There are others, but this is the essential one. I'd recommend it to anyone, from those horrid chavs one sees gurning it up at Goa nowadays to actual Indian people. Its a great one to keep on the lav and keep dipping into too!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
THE KINDLE EDITION IS WORSE THAN USELESS
Do not buy the kindle edition of this book. They have taken an invaluable and essential guide book and turned it into an utterly useless e-book. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Martin Deeson
UPDATED!!!!!
After 4 weeks touring India by train - Shimla, Rajasthan, Delhi and Darjeeling - using this book I have to say I found it less than useful on occasions and not sure what they think... Read more
Published 6 months ago by maat49
R G to India
Bought this for a friend who went to India. She found it most helpful for planning sightseeing tours etc. Hotels and recommendations good. Read more
Published 13 months ago by larkfield
India tourist guide
Excellent book, well up to the standard expected of Rough Guides. Huge amount of information. Very clear small map of India for planning, which includes the railways and major... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Colin
Big & Beautiful
This issue is HUGE, not one to carry around with you in your pocket so read it before you go and leave it at home if you can! Excellent detail and references/ recommendations. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Nicki Evans
unmet expectations
Having bought rough guides for various destinations before and in consideration of the reviews for the lonely planet guide to India, I decided i'd stay with the rough guide. Read more
Published 20 months ago by t_taib
Better than Lonely Planet
I prefer this book over Lonely Planet for several reasons. First, I find the maps easier to read and use. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Jennifer Malsingh
Very Interesting and useful
Ideal book to take with you on your hols, its packed with information which is very useful if you are into sightseeing.
Published on 18 Feb 2010 by Lisa Kirkham
India's Rough (or not so rough) Guide
I thought the Rough Guide to India was okay. I am usually a Lonely Planet (LP) traveller but decided to branch out this time. Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2009 by L. A. Jones
Decent enough but..
This is a reasonable book but I have a few grumbles. The description of the accommodation is 'optimistic'. Some of the guesthouses described as clean were anything but. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2009 by Peter T
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