Day Five - Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri - a World Heritage site

Red stone pillars with detailed carving

A gardener's paradise - where seedlings are nurtured

Can you see what this lorry is transporting?

En route to the pink city of Jaipur we stopped at the former residence of the Emperor Akbar - Fatehpur Sikri (pronounced Fatty-purr-sickry). Akbar moved here from the Red Fort in Delhi, and used the same craftsmen to build the palace from the local red sandstone.

The gardens were completely weed-free and we were invited through a padlocked gate to admire the seedling beds - so neat and perfect. The elderly gardener hoped we had some English coins for his children who collected them he said. And actually we British were made to feel so welcome that I can imagine Indian children wanted to collect our coins - even the copper ones. 

Many Indians are grateful to the British for re-designing the country after it had been under Muslim rule for many years. The British initiated the railways and condensed over 500 states into just 29 and, by the example of English wives, encouraged women to come out of their homes and become better educated. Although there is still a way to go with more boys being educated than girls, especially in the villages, our guide felt that things were generally improving for females in Indian society.

Continuing the drive to Jaipur we saw this lorry pictured above. Can you see the elephant in the back? It is being taken home after attending a wedding.

We stopped for lunch at 'Lake View Hotel'. No lake, but a perfect meal under a vast canopy in the garden.Rice and dhal with mixed plain vegetables and hot naan bread. 

The attached shop was where I selected three silver rings with stones for just £3 each. I was mighty pleased with these and it was the first thing I bought in India. I would have liked to buy a string of square cube lapis-lazuli beads but I didn't ask the price and as usual, it's the things you don't buy that you regret!!