From the Rajputana.... RavanaHatta..!?!?!???

Whats Ravana's name doing here..??
Read this... As per the discussion with the person in the photograph, folklore and Wikipedia:

The instrument being played in the photograph and widely seen in the Indian state of Rajasthan is called Ravanahatta, Ravanahatha.. aka.. Ravana hastha veena.. literal meaning "Veena in the Hand of or played by Ravana"
This ancient Indian stringed musical instrument is understood to be the ancestor of and inspiration for the today's Violin. And it is believed to be belonging to 5000 BC and also been played by RAVANA.. And folklore says Lord Hanuman carried it to Rajasthan once the Rama-Ravana War ended - now don't ask me why he had to specifically travel to Rajasthan..

Thanks to the people of Rajasthan for still keeping this and the heritage alive... 

From the Rajputana....

Amer Palace - The magnificent construction spread on the 'Cheel ka Teela" - Hill of eagles @ Jaipur.
The royal landscape as seen today - built in different phases by different rulers, starting 967 AD by Maharaja Mansingh.

Techniques for Water.... Water for Life...

What you see is a lift-irrigation point, which used to be the main water resource for the Royal township.. The tall structure houses a huge pulley on the top, through which water from the well (found on the right side bottom of the structure) is lifted up in wooden barrels and brass vessels being towed up by elephants on the left-side of the structure..

From the Ruins of The Bidar Fort, built and once ruled as a branch of Kakatiya Kingdom, later taken over by Mughals of Aurangabad, local Bahmanis (for the majority period), AsafJah's of Gulbarga and finally by the Wadiyars of Mysore.

Rich architectural beauty built in the 12-13 centuries, full of Persian Architecture with wise underground water management system (Karez), huge beam-less structures and intelligently designed / planned security practices.

Thanks to the superior stone-mortar combination for being able to keep alive the antiquity for centuries, in-spite of the invasions by the yesteryear ambitious emperors and current day wall  scribblers.

A Must-Visit for the Heritage and archaeology lovers.

From the Bahmani Sultanate...!

Ruins of The Bidar Fort, built and once ruled as a branch of Kakatiya Kingdom, later taken over by Mughals of Aurangabad, local Bahmanis (for the majority period), AsafJah's of Gulbarga and finally by the Wadiyars of Mysore.
Rich architectural beauty built in the 12-13 centuries, full of Persian Architecture with wise underground water management system (Karez), huge beamless structures and intelligently designed / planned security practices.
Thanks to the superior stone-mortar combination for being able to keep alive the antiquity for centuries, in-spite of the invasions by the yesteryear ambitious emperors and current day wall  scribblers.
A Must-Visit for the Heritage and archaeology lovers.