Western India

Unlike the plains, the West has a low crime-rate. Pickpockets are known to operate in Pune and Mumbai. Keep your money, passport and credit card safely in your wallet. The National Toll-free Police Helpline is 100.

Rajasthan has plenty of persistent touts, just ignore them and walk on. Hotel-scams are not uncommon and booking a room in advance is highly recommended.

talk

As in the rest of India, most of the people in the tourist industry speak basic English at the very least. Hindi is widely spoken and understood except in remote rural areas.

Rajasthanis speak regional Rajasthani and its dialects like Marwari, Mewari, Shekhawati, Hadoti etc as well as Hindi is also widely used for media and education. Maharashtrians speak Marathi, Goans Konkani while people from Gujarat and the union territories speak Gujarati.