Heart of India Photo Journal Three: 18 Images of People, Places, Monkeys Too

The Qutb Minar, a victory tower,was established in 1199 A.D. The tower dominates a complex of ruined tombs and monuments. The Afghan-style tower was erected by Sultan Qutb-ud-din to proclaim his supremacy over vanquished Hindu rulers.  One storie was completed before Qutb-ud-din died,  impaled on his saddle while playing polo. His Muslim successors completed its construction. 

The tower has five distinct stories with projecting balconies. It, like other structures within the complex, was built by the finest craftsmen and artisans, who were hired by the rulers to announce the triumph of Muslim rule. Prior to the establishment of  Qutb, the site was home to about 27 Hindu temples. The remains of these temples were used to build the site’s first mosque.

Stone carvings on the tower employ both Hindu and arabesque Islamic decorations, including floral and geometric patterns and calligraphy of Koranic verses. In the same complex, there is an iron pillar (flagpole) that was constructed about 413 A.D. and later moved to Qutb. Scientists have never discovered how the iron, which has not rusted in 1600 years, was cast using the technology of that time. 

Protected by Jaigarb Fort, the massive ramparts of Amber Fort follow the contours of a natural ridge. The honey-hued fort, built in the 17th century, is an example of Rajput architecture. The citadel was established in 1592 on the remains of an earlier 11th-century fort. This photo shows elephants bearing tourists heading toward the main gate. 

The Amber Fort is primarily a magnificent royal palace. It was built from pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble. The fort is divided into four main courtyards. The opulance and beauty of the palace is still stunning. There is much elegance, including a large pleasure garden and a room where the flame of a single candle is reflected in tiny mirrors embedded in the walls; the reflections transform the  ceiling it into a starlit sky. Unfortunately, like many special places around the world, there is not enough money to completely restore the fort to its original grandure.

Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is a prominent  Hindu pilgrimage town. It is also home of the Pushkar Camel Fair. About 200,000 people, including musicians, mystics, religious pilgrims, tourists, traders, and animals converge on the place. This photo shows some of the many camel herder encampments adjacent to the fair grounds. Most of the herdsmen and traders sleep outdoors, on bedrolls, under the stars. 

The fairgrounds included a large arena where we watched riders practing for horseriding events and a dance groups perform. Scattered around the grounds there were other performances taking place, like this girl walking a tightrope while carrying pots on her head.

Our group visited a primary school in a village near Rathambhore National Park. It was a holiday but many of the village kids and the school’s principal showed up to greet us. These two boys were Judy’s guides, holdidng her hands and proudly showing her the small school. My guides showed me the school’s one PC computer and read the English names on the keys, e.g. “Shift,” “Enter.” Internet service is not available. All the kids enjoyed viewing pictures that we took of them.

Homes are small and shared by an extended family. After marriage, women become part of the husband’s family and move into their home, which is shared by all. This family showed off their two donkeys. A few families owned a motorbike, which all the family’s members shared.  To a great extent, villagers depend upon one another for their mutual survival and happiness.

Henna dye is prepared from a plant and is used to create temporary tattoos. Henna has been used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, fingernails, and fabrics in Ancient Egypt, North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the near East, Asia, and India. Today, the use of henna tatoos is growing in popularity in the United States and India.  In India, traditional families use henna tattoos to mark religious days.