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21 December 1905 — Jodhpur | |
Thursday. 21st [December 1905]. Our nice little Baboo fetched us this morning & took us to see the Fort. Arrived at the gate way we found 2 litters ready with 4 men to each, to carry us up the steep ascent thro’ the great gate to the top. The litter is like a short boat gaily painted & suspended to two poles wh rested on the shoulders of 2 men behind & before. Like a sleigh without wheels. We were taken into the Treasury where we saw the splendid jewels all under glass in cases—one case full of rings another of watches &c &c. There were endless pearls & uncut precious stones—also state jewelled elephant trappings & horse trappings. We also saw some handsome arms—but we did not go into the Palace as our guide told us that the Maharajah & Maharanee were at home & so it was not to be seen– He took us onto the bastion from wh there is a splendid view over the plain & where there are some old & new guns. We returned in our litters to the entrance gate & getting into our carriage drove to the Residence to call (at our guide’s suggestion) on Major & Mrs Stratton. We found Mrs Stratton a young & pretty woman & both very pleasant. We returned to the guest house—lunched & wrote letters for the mail. At 3.30 we set out again & drove to see some fine tanks from which the city is supplied with water. First to Bal-samand—on the bank of which the Maharaja has a pretty palace which he uses in the summer & in which there is some furniture of the most hideous description. The garden is nice & well kept up. Drove on to Mandor where we saw the cenotaphs of the Jodhpur royal family—they are of Jain architecture & mostly dilapidated– The place was a city before the building of Jodhpur. We had a lovely drive & got back at 6. We dined with the Strattons & Major S. advised us to go on from here to Bikaner instead of returning to Ajinir. He kindly offered to arrange for us to go & be the guests of the Maharaja & said he would telegraph to him. | |
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