Jaipur, India
Pink City, July 2011
The old city is partially encircled by a crenellated wall punctuated by gates (pols) including the mayor gates of Chandpol, Ajmer and Sanganeri. It may not feel like it in today's chaotic mechanised traffic, but the Old City is a masterpiece of town planning. Wide avenues divide the city into neat rectangles, each one specialising in different crafts.
Jaipur's most distinctive landmark, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) is a remarkable, five-storey, delicately honeycombed, pink sandstone structure. It was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawaj Pratap Singh to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city. It's an amazing example of Rajput artistry, and remains a great place for people-watching from behind the small shutters.
0 comments:
Post a Comment