Honking in Delhi is not aggression although it can feel oppressive most of the times. Some will argue, it’s communication — even if everyone is speaking over everybody else, like a family dinner where nobody has an inside voice.
A short honk means “I’m here.” Rare. Very rare.
A longer honk means “I’m overtaking.” And it’s considered a suitable replacement for using the indicator.
Continuous honking means “I don’t care if it’s your right of way, I am ploughing through.” Surprisingly you’ll find it’s the motorcyclists who dominate this category.
The ambient noise level of a Delhi street is roughly equivalent to a rock concert in a tunnel.
A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones won’t be a luxury here — they’re more of a mental health tool.
Side-note: Don’t use noise cancellation while walking on the streets. You’ll never know where the vehicle is coming from otherwise, and in this city, they come from everywhere.