Photo Gallery

A view of the city of Udaipur, taken from a window of the City Palace. The City Palace was built over a period of almost 400 years and is situated on the banks of Lake Pichola. It is considered one of the largest palace complexes in Rajasthan and now houses museums showcasing the history and culture of the Maharana dynasty. – 1990

The sun symbol of the Mewar dynasty is displayed on the exterior of the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This striking emblem depicts the sun god Surya and refers to the lineage of the rulers of Udaipur, who regard themselves as members of the Suryavamsha (Sun Dynasty). – 1990

The picture shows the Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard), one of the most magnificent courtyards in the City Palace in Udaipur. The courtyard is famous for its three ornate peacock figures set into the walls. These mosaics are made up of around 5,000 glass and mirror elements in shades of green, blue and gold. The three central peacocks represent the three seasons in India: summer, winter and the monsoon season. Work on the courtyard began in the 17th century under Maharana Karan Singh and was later completed with the present-day glass mosaics under Maharana Sajjan Singh in the 19th century. Historically, this venue was used for private dinners, celebrations and royal audiences. In addition to the peacock mosaics, the courtyard captivates with its detailed glass inlays (jharokhas) and the characteristic black-and-white chequered marble floor. – 1990

This particular mosaic depicts a peacock with its tail fully spread, flanked by two smaller peacocks, set within a decorative niche in the Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard) of the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The peacock is the national bird of India, and there are a total of five such mosaics in the City Palace, representing the different seasons (summer, winter and monsoon). - 1990

The City Palace in Udaipur is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Pichola. The palace complex is regarded as the city’s landmark and is the largest palace in Rajasthan. The complex is renowned for its magnificent courtyards, hall of mirrors, royal galleries and murals. – 1990

Junagarh Fort in Bikaner features several rooms with striking blue wall decorations. The Badal Mahal (Palace of the Clouds) is particularly famous for this. Many of the blue tiles in the fort, especially in the Gaj Mandir, are blue and white porcelain tiles from Europe (often from the Netherlands or Great Britain), which were installed there in the 18th and 19th centuries. The colour blue was often used to symbolise the rain and coolness of clouds – a precious commodity in the Rajasthan desert. Animals (such as horses or elephants) used to be tethered to the metal ring on the wall. – Bikaner, Rajasthan – 1990

The impressive façade of Patwon Ki Haveli in Jaisalmer, one of the most significant architectural monuments of the ‘Golden City’. The entire residence was built from the local yellow-gold sandstone for which the desert region around Jaisalmer is famous. The façade captivates with its numerous richly decorated, projecting balconies (known as jharokhas) featuring the finest stone carving, reminiscent of lace or lace borders. The delicate stone lattices (jalis) serve not only as decoration but also allow for constant air circulation, keeping the interior of the building cool even in the extreme desert heat. – 1990

The impressive façade of Patwon Ki Haveli in Jaisalmer, one of the most significant architectural monuments of the ‘Golden City’. The complex was commissioned in 1805 by Guman Chand Patwa, an extremely wealthy merchant dealing in brocade, gold and silver thread, and opium. It is not a single building, but a connected complex of five separate havelis, built over a period of around 50 to 60 years for his five sons. Parts of the complex are now managed by the state heritage authority, whilst another part serves as a private museum (Kothari’s Patwa Haveli Museum), offering an insight into the luxurious lifestyle of the merchant class in the 19th century. – 1990

The famous Salim Singh ki Haveli (also known as Moti Mahal) in the desert city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The building was commissioned in 1815 by Salim Singh, the then extremely powerful and equally feared Prime Minister (Diwan) of the Kingdom of Jaisalmer. The upper storey features a striking, sweeping structure modelled on a peacock and is surrounded by a total of 38 elegant balconies, each adorned with unique ornamentation. Due to its ship-like shape, the building is also popularly known as Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace). The entire façade is constructed from the golden sandstone typical of Jaisalmer. It captivates with its masterfully crafted balconies (known as jharokhas), delicate lattice windows and curved Bengali roofs. – 1990

This relief is located on the outer wall of the historic Lodurva Jain Temple near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India. This ancient temple complex was once the capital of the Bhatti Rajputs before Jaisalmer was founded. It is renowned for its intricate stonework and delicate carvings in yellow sandstone. - Seated on the back of the richly decorated elephant is a figure in a traditional posture, likely holding a weapon or an elephant goad (ankusha) to guide the animal. – 1990 Latticed windows and curved Bengali roofs. – 1990