Dazzling Palace Interiors/India

These pictures were taken at the Fort at Jodhpur which was astoundingly high up and could therefore withstand sieges. There were gates on several levels, one of which had huge spikes so that elephants -- even when hopped up on opium -- would not be able to break through. Some of the later pictures of City Palace in Udaipur.

The exteriors are imposing, the interiors luxuriant. Here an inner courtyard.

The floors are almost always marble. Here turquoise is inset into the walls. (Udaipur).

Here a wooden screen representing a very important person.

Such mirrors and jewels. No wonder common people are overawed. (Udaipur)

Colored glass windows at Jodhpur.

And decorative glass balls hanging from the ceiling at the same place.

And more mirrors and zigzags. (Udaipur).

Elephants fighting in a frieze round the walls.

And another very important person who has a cool mustache too. (Udaipur).