In the contemporary era, it has become crucial to examine the manner in which local heritage is showcased by public and private agencies, especially in metropolitan cities such as Delhi (India) so that its present-centeredness and civic relevance can be explored. This can help us understand and decode preferred ways of public heritage representations to cultivate social inclusion practices and a shared sense of heritage. Promoted heritage identities, in the context of dissonance, societal amnesia, and historicity, can offer useful insights to map a path for sustainable heritage branding of a historic city. Delhi is selected as a study site for this module because of its historic significance and also because it is the capital of India. Delhi is a city that spans two different worlds. Old Delhi, the old capital of Islamic India, is a web of narrow lanes marked with dilapidated havelis (old mansions) and magnificent mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi, built during the British rule, comprises spacious, tree-lined avenues and magnificent government buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for millennia. The contemporary significance of the city lies not just in its historic past and grandeur as the seat of several kingdoms and fascinating monuments, but also in its rich and diverse cultures.

In this module, you will learn about Delhi's history and culture and discuss how it can tap into its heritage tourism potential. You will gather insights into the manner in which Delhi's heritage is showcased by different destination marketing organizations and public institutions. The complex nature of dissonant heritage management will also be examined in the context of sustainable heritage tourism, and strategies that hold potential to promote a shared sense of heritage identity will be explored. Furthermore, you will use the perspective of ‘heritagization’ (just to legitimize a preferred sociopolitical framework) to know why a careful balance of heritage representations between distant and recent pasts is needed. The last two sessions will explain the need for present-centered heritage branding and discuss the sustainable heritage branding of Delhi.