Page 410 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

408  WESTERN INDIA

little temple on an island
in its centre. The fort and
palace reflected in the lake
make a pretty sight.
Bundi has over 50 stepwells,
of which the most beautiful is
the 46-m (151-ft) deep Rani-ki-
Baori, also in the centre of town.
Built in the 17th century, it is
strikingly similar to Adalaj Vav
in Gujarat (see pp418–19), with
richly decorated archways
Bundi, nestled in a narrow valley of the Aravalli Hills and sculptures of Vishnu’s
ten avatars (see p683).
k Bundi represents a rare example of Situated at the northern edge
the pure Rajput style, with of the town is the 18th-century
Bundi district. 215 km (134 miles) curved roofs topping pavilions Sukh Niwas Mahal, a romantic
S of Jaipur. * 88,350. £ @
n Rajasthan Tourism, Tourist and kiosks, a profusion of temple summer palace overlooking
Reception Centre, (0747) 244 3697. columns and ornamental Jait Sagar Lake. Standing at
( daily. _ Gangaur (Mar/Apr). brackets, and typically Rajput the opposite end of the lake
motifs such as elephants and are the royal cenotaphs, and at
Bundi is often described as lotus flowers. Unusually, the its western edge is an elegant
the undiscovered jewel of palace is not built of the hunting tower, the Shikar Burj.
Rajasthan. Surrounded on three sandstone favoured by most
sides by the rugged, thickly other Rajput kingdoms, but of Environs
forested Aravalli Hills, this walled a hard, green-tinged serpentine Bijolia, 50 km (31 miles)
town has retained stone, quarried locally. southwest of Bundi, on the
much of its historic This stone, unlike road to Chittorgarh, has a group
character. The sandstone, does of three beautiful 13th-century
Taragarh Fort crowns not lend itself to temples, dedicated to Shiva.
the crest of a steep fine carving. Instead, Menal, lying 20 km (12 miles)
hill overlooking the Garh Palace was further along the same road
town, while the embellished by is a delightful wooded spot
Garh Palace spills superb paintings. with 11th-century temples
picturesquely down The palace is standing near a gorge.
the hillside. This entered through the Founded in the early
palace is Bundi’s – imposing Hathia Pol 19th-century, Tonk, 113 km
and Rajasthan’s – (“Elephant Gateway”), (70 miles) north of Bundi,
jewel. Lieutenant flanked by two towers was once the capital of the
Colonel James Tod, and topped by a pair only Muslim princely state in
(1782–1835), the Painting from of huge painted Rajasthan. Its main attraction
British Political Agent the Chitrashala elephants. The most is the splendid Sunehri Kothi
and author of the spectacular parts of (“Golden Mansion”) within the
authoritative Annals and the palace are the Chattar palace complex, every inch of its
Antiquities of Rajasthan, Mahal (built in 1660), and the interior covered with gold leaf,
wrote that “the coup d’oeil Chitrashala, an arcaded gallery lacquer work, moulded stucco
of the castellated palace of (built between 1748 and 1770) and striking mirrorwork. Stained-
Boondi, from whichever side overlooking a hanging garden. glass windows bathe this opulent
you approach it, is the most The murals in these are hall in glowing colours. Tonk’s
striking in India”. regarded as among the finest Arabic and Persian Research
The state of Bundi was examples of Rajput painting. Institute has rare, illuminated
founded in 1341 by Rao Deva The themes they cover include medieval Islamic manuscripts.
of the “fire-born” Hada Chauhan scenes from religious
Rajput clan, and the massive, cere monies, hunting
square Taragarh Fort dates to scenes and other
his reign. Work on the palace princely amusements.
began in the 16th century, and The colours are
it was added to by successive predominantly blue
rulers over the next 200 years, and green, with
at different levels on the hillside. touches of deep
Unlike most other palaces red and yellow.
in Rajasthan, there is very In the middle of
little Mughal influence in its the town is the Naval
architecture. The Garh Palace Sagar Lake, with a Gilded interior of Sunehri Kothi in Tonk
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p699 and pp712–13

408-409_EW_India.indd 408 26/04/17 11:46 am
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Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm