The Old City Jaipur

We visited the old city, which is filled with historic palaces, and other buildings and magnificent artwork.  The entire historic area is done in pink stucco and decorated with various arabesque and Mughal designs.  The city is surrounded by high walls and several gates.  Cars are not allowed in the old city so we were dropped off at one of gates and walked in. The City Palace, the center of the old city was constructed beginning in the 1400’s but added onto until the twentieth century.  Much of the work was done in the 1700’s.  Many of the walls are covered with paintings in filigree designs.  There is a large throne room or reception center in the center with beautiful carved pillars and the entire ceiling and walls covered with intricate designs in bright colors.   Huge crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling.  There is a raised dais in the center of the room with two thrones.  Along the side walls hand various portraits of the maharajas who ruled from the middle ages on.  My favorite was a striking painting of one of early rulers who is depicted as tall, graceful and powerful with strong even features.  He is dressed in magnificent robes of blues predominately, but other colors as well.  He wears a red turban.  His slippers and bands of cloth he wears draped over his long jacket are in gold leaf.  The painting is good example of Mughal art, the feet are pointed at right angles to the body like an Egyptian painting but otherwise the perspective recedes from the front.

We wandered around the old city for a while, visiting shops and stopping for tea in a lovely courtyard restaurant.  The weather has cooled down since we arrived in India and Jaipur is at a slight elevation anyway so its been pretty pleasant to walk around.

We had lunch at a lovely restaurant near the old city.  After a week of either not eating or eating vegetarian food it was great to have some meat.  We had some grilled lamb kabobs and a chicken and vegetable dish with, or course, naan.  I never thought of myself as much of a meat eater but it sure tasted good.

Jaipur is truly the most beautiful place we've visited in India.  There is a sense here of the glamour of the past.