Another Day, Another Fort and Another Competition
03.02.2011
25 °C
Most of Rajasthan is an arid land fit only for camels and nomadic herdsmen. Yet liberally scattered across this desert are great fortresses, and opulent palaces, attesting to the enormous wealth of the petty potentates who amassed their fortunes in much the same way as the megalomaniacal robber barons who terrorised England during the 12th century. This is the 15th century Junagarh fort in Bikaner...
Camel, bullock and donkey carts are still used today as they were when this fort was new...
Unlike most of the other Rajput forts we've visited, this one doesn't sit atop a hill. But in most respects it is similar...after all, a fort is a fort etc.
However, this 16th century bastion is in far better shape than many others, and the interior rooms are stunning...
Now, we guess that you, like us, might have had enough forts for awhile, so here's a few artifacts for you to puzzle over while we visit a camel farm. If you can tell us what these objects are you can win a free ride on a camel in Rajasthan, (airfare and accommodation not included).
These are the fort gates, but why are they covered in menacing spikes?
I'd get motion sick riding a camel, but here are my guesses:
1.The original cotton gin, although it looks a lot like the B.C. Hydro shredder that's been working on the Strand this week.
2.The original backpack.
3.It would be very painful trying to scale the thing.
by R and B