Picto Diary - 31 December 2015 - Rajput New Years Eve
Above: Original art in Samod Palace. Samod, Rajesthan. India. 31 December 2015 (New Years Eve).
Samod Palace is a magical place. Its a real Rajput palace... not quite a Maharaja's palace... but one owned by one of the Maharaja's retainers. The feudal family who controlled the palace had rights bequeathed by the Maharaja of nearby Jaipur of tax collection from forty surrounding villages before having to give up the property to the Indian government in 1948, two years after independence.
Rajesthan. I'm on my first real visit here. Forty two years ago I made it beyond Haryana boundaries to the Sariska Tiger preserve, but, the preserve is much closer to Delhi than to main Rajesthan cities such as Jaipur (capital), Udaipur, Jaiselmer, or Jodhpur.
Incidentally, I saw tigers at Sariska forty two years ago. TIMDT says she doesn't remember the experience, but I do... vividly. I must have gone with some Citibank guys.
By vivid, I remember forest authorities preparing a venue in front of a viewing stand for a tiger kill. The goat tied up to a post in front of us didn't have much of a chance. I'm told that today such contrived tiger sightings are not permitted.
I learned from Indian guides that in the 80's and 90's the entire tiger population of Sariska was killed off. In 2005, game authorities inserted two male and 8 female tigers back into the park.
Back to "my first real visit" to Rajesthan, 2015/2016.
Rajesthan is home of the Rajputs, a warrior class who claim to have originated from the sun, moon and fire. he Rajputs have more or less controlled Rajesthan for the last thousand years. They resisted most invaders. The magnificent forts they built, Amber, Jaiselmer, Jodhpur etc. were for protection from one another during the many squabbles they had amongst themselves. The forts were the center of Princely States, and were usually anchored by a magnificent palace inhabited by the Maharaja and Maharani.
Most empires passing through the sub continent respected the war making capabilities of the Rajputs and wisely resisted attempts to conquer the Princely States by force. Still, the Mulgals in the 14th and 15th centuries managed to get effective control through clever marriage arrangements. The Princely States then became vassal states of the Mughal empire. The Mughals had considerable respect for the warrior qualities of the Rajputs, many of whom held senior, even general officer, positions in the Mughal armies.
Even the mighty British empire, which followed the Mughals, which controlled more of the subcontinent than any other empire, allowed the Princely States to remain intact. The Princely States made cooperative agreements with the British Empire like they did with the Mughals and relations remained more or less peaceful through the British period.
During British times, the Maharajas shunned fighting and became well known playboys in European pleasure capitals... Monaco, London...many became expert players on the polo circuit. As a consequence Rajesthan's people became neglected. At the time of India independence, Rajesthan scored lowest on education levels and highest on poverty rates.
After independence, the Maharaja's were forced to cede over their lands, including the majestic forts, to the new government of India in return for rights to their palaces. Many Maharajas formed foundations to ensure that their remaining assets were protected and converted their properties into luxury hotels in order to ensure future income and lifestyle.
And... that is why we get to stay in a real Rajput palace! Samod Palace is now a hotel which sustains income for the family that ran the place for over 400 years.
Above: Function room ceiling and balconies. Samod Palace. Rajesthan, India. 31 December 2015.
Above: Upper floor infinity pool. Samod Palace. Rajesthan, India. 31 December 2015.
Above: Mwah (sic) with Mr. Gopi Sharma. Samod Palace. Rajesthan, India. 31 December 2015.
Wonderful 'stache.
Mr. Sharma's family line served as tax collectors for the feudal lord of Samod for 400 years. They now serve as family historians, passing down the Samod story through the generations.
Hindu good fortune mark on Bishop's forehead.
Above: Cat, Drums, and K with Mr. Sharma. Samod Palace, Rajesthan, India. 31 December 2015.
Above: Puppet show. Samod Palace Hotel. Rajesthan, India. 31 December 2015.
Parents purchased a puppet... the ones in the image lying side by side - for their kids.
Samod Palace was highly kid friendly. There were other families with children staying at the hotel while we were there.
Once again, TIMDT makes the right call on hotel selection.
Above: The Bishop and TIMDT. New Years Eve cocktails. Samod Palace Hotel. Rajesthan, India. 31 December 2015.
Above: B1B, FeeBee, Cat, and Drums. New Years Eve cocktails. Samod Palace Hotel. Rajesthan, India. 31 December 2015.
Above: FeeBee, Drums, and B1B boogy. Dinner. New Years Eve. Samod Palace Hotel. Rajesthan, India. 31 December 2015.
Addendum:
Wonderful pictures;😺 seems like all are enjoying.
Mr Z3,
Ojai, CA
Memory of a lifetime for kids.
Basketball,
Pelham, NY
Glad you are not in Assam anymore. Just now heard about a major earthquake in the area. Safe travels..
Espresso,
Washington, DC
Dodged a bullet?
http://www.ndtv.com/topic/earthquake-in-assam
Above: Four Generations - 30 December 2015.
Aunt Joyce, Sarah, Dan and Grey.