Still in Jodphur and still playing ketchup (oh what i wouldn't give for some realy heinz and not maggie 'sauce'). In an effort to keep remotely busy I have been taking a few day trips out of the apartments into the wilds of Jaipur. On Saturday I went to visit the City Palace, which is where the current Maharaja of Jaipur is living now (the maharajas were divested of most of their authority when the Indian constitution was created, they are still left with quite sizable holdings though). I have attached the link where you should be able to see the photos. If anyone has problems linking to them please let me know (also you can leave comments to the blog posts if you care to).
The city palace fit into that category of another incredibly ornate structure. I am always absolutely astonished with the quality of the stone carving that Indians have been doing for millenia. The lattice work is so intricate. I found the two neatest elements of the city palace the armory and the gates. Unfortunately, the Maharaja/Indian govt. are very paranoid about letting pictures of century-old armory getting out on the web, so they prohibited photography. Thank goodness, as once of those elephant headresses might have inspired the 'others'. The armory collection was out of control though. The soldiers of Rajasthan are known (throughout India at least) as having been some of the bravest fighters (and best polo players). Part of the reason is probably because of their seriously threatening weaponry. Daggers are a big part of the soldiers outfit, stuck into their cumberbunds. The daggers were incredible, double/triple blades out of damascus steel (like my ring but different). The handles made out of ivory and jade and inlaid with rubies and other gems. Besides the armory, i found the various gates to the palace truly amazing. The outer sides were fairly dull, meant to withstand attack, but the inner side was so artfully decorated it was amazing. My favorite was the peacock door, painted with a peacock feather pattern, and completed by clay peacocks jutting out of the wall. Above the part of the city palace that we were allowed to enter was where the Maharaja of Jaipur is currently living. Pretty posh for someone dethroned (the maharaja of Jodhpur lives in a building that looks like a 3/4 size Taj Mahal!).
No comments:
Post a Comment