Kaitlin+N

William Bixby, 2010

Jan. 4th - On plain and Jaipur

Arrived at about 11 o’clock. The Hindoos never believe in killing anything and the apes in Abu are sacred, also the chipmunks. I broke the law in Abu, killed a bed bug. Smelt just as they used to in Texas. . The bullocks [oxen] were smaller than in China and Japan and the camels are much larger than those at Aden and less motheaten. We arrived at hotel here about 11 o’clock after lunch. The main streets are 110 feet wide, the next 54 and the smallest 27. The city was laid out by the great Maharaja Singh II and he was the greatest Astronomer of his day. There are acres of land covered with all kinds of astronomical instruments all made of enormous size of stone. They have all been checked up by a great English Astronomer and found correct. The streets are full of people.The great specialties and what is taught in the art school is gold, silver, enamel work, brass, etc. There are mines of jade, ruby, garnet, topaz, white sapphire and the people are experts in metal work, and their enamel goes all over the world. They have their special pottery – a blue and white, I did not care much for it – too gaudy. We went in A.M. yesterday to see the ruins of the Palace where the Maharaja lives in the winter and through the audience halls and the places where the festivities are held. The building was very fine. He had 150 wives and when he died they all had to spend the last of their days in a big fort [Jaigarh Fort] on top of the mountain. He was 84 years old.

We bought some sweaters for 300 Indian rupees, some brass 50 Indian rupees, some cut stones for 25 Indian ruppes, two necklaces 315 Indian rupees and one string of jade beads 30 Indian rupees. Indian rupees bring 28¢ each.

Jan. 5th – (Thursday) Kaiser I, Hind Hotel – Jaipur:

In A.M. went to Amer Palace, one-half mile by elephant. He had to kneel to enable us to get on his back by a stepladder. Lillian [Bixby's wife] does not care for one for Lake George and Donald [Bixby's son] declines to care for it so I have to give up getting one. The elephant riding is a little inclined to move all the body and give one an internal massage. We rode up to the palace gate – the Palace was built in 1592, added to by Raja Man Singh the First in 1625 – in 1666 it was added to and beautified. It was used by the Raja only in summertime, when it is cooler that the town Palace. It was guarded by its traditionary custodian, the Meen as the aborigines [native peoples] of the district are noted for their loyalty. The ruins of the Jaigarh Fort is on top of the mountain nearby and that is where the Maharaja’s wives staed after his death. On entering, one comes to a small temple, said to be very old with the usual outlandishlooking god, or rather goddess, for she is the Goddess of Blood Sacrifice – long ago every day there is a pig, a goat or a sheep killed before the altar. Our guide says they used to eat the animal after the sacrifice. There are doves everywhere and many peacocks.