Budaun, India

Capital City

Life in Budaun is no walk in the park. With a population of just over 159,000, this medieval city in Uttar Pradesh is hardly the bustling metropolis some may envision. The adult literacy rate sits at a lackluster 73%, and the gender imbalance is stark - for every 1,000 men, there are just 907 women. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city lacks an airport and has only a modest railway system connecting it to the rest of the state. Still, Budaun holds historical significance, having served as the capital of the Delhi Sultanate for four years in the 13th century. Those seeking a slower-paced, provincial experience in India may find Budaun an intriguing, if challenging, destination.