Rajasthan, the “Lord of the Kings,” in the northwest is where India and the Middle East combine. The rocky desert terrain of the state resembles its neighbor, Pakistan. In the capitol city of Jaipur, evidence of the ancient warrior clans and feudal lords still exists through walled fortresses that watch over the city. The streets are packed with the usual vendors and vehicles along with free-roaming cows, goats and camels. Jaipur’s inhabitants span between fully veiled women and turbaned men to jeans and t-shirts. The infamous ‘pink city’ in Jaipur is literally a 10 block x 10 block city sector that is painted entirely pink.
The many Rajputs (warrior clans claimed to originate from sun, moon and fire) built kingdoms to defend their family and their honor. Outside of the city is Amber Fort, one of the many walled palatial complexes in the desert which houses a small community of crumbling houses and a fortress within a long, winding gate.
For an hour, we climbed and descended numerous windy stairwells passing through the Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) inlaid with millions of mirrored tiles that glitter under the candlelight; the Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure) with cool water passing through; and the Zenana (women’s quarters) where the Rajput zig-zagged through the labyrinthe to find his woman of choice.
Recontruction of the palace is slowly underway…
To end the day, we hiked up to the Nahargarn fort to watch the polluted sunset as the final muslim call to prayer rang through the city’s speakers.
