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This fragmentary drawing of artillery on the move may have been a study for wall-paintings showing an army on the march. The large carriage-mounted cannons are drawn by bullock teams and pushed from behind by the royal elephants.<br/><br/> Master gunners, mainly European mercenaries, sit on each cannon giving directions. Elephants were widely used for extreme lifting and pushing, and heaving the artillery along was all in their day’s work.
Rajput painting, also known as Rajasthani Painting, is a style of Indian painting that evolved and flourished in the royal courts of Rajputana. Each Rajput kingdom evolved a distinct style, but with certain common features. Rajput paintings depict a number of themes, events of epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Krishna’s life, beautiful landscapes, and human life.<br/><br/> The colours were extracted from certain minerals, plant sources, conch shells, and were even derived by processing precious stones. Gold and silver were used. The preparation of desired colours was a lengthy process, sometimes taking weeks. Brushes used were very fine.
Kelantan's association with traditional Malay culture dates back at least as far as the 14th century, when the Sungai Kelantan Valley was settled by colonists from distant Java, then itself in the process of converting to Islam.<br/><br/>A state was established, owing allegiance to Sultan Masud Shah of Melaka (1459-77), but because of the region's geographical isolation from the rest of peninsular Malaysia, Kelantan was able to retain a high degree of autonomy, retaining much of its Javanese heritage and distinctive cultural and dialectic differences down through the centuries.<br/><br/>Kelantan's political isolation helped in this process - under a relatively benevolent Thai suzerainty from 1780 to 1909, Siamese control was generally limited to the presentation of bunga mas, or tribute paid to Bangkok in the form of golden trees. Once this tribute was paid, local administration remained largely in the hands of the Kelantan royal family, whilst matters social and religious were the exclusive province of the Kelantanese ulama, or learned Islamic scholars.<br/><br/>In 1909, by treaty agreement made between Britain and Siam, Kelantan became part of British-administered Malaya - but by this time the greater part of Chinese migration to the 'Straits Settlements' of Singapore, Melaka and Penang had already taken place, and Kelantan's ethnic balance remained relatively unchanged - a tranquil, traditional Malay sultanate, shielded by ranks of jungle-clad mountains from the fast-changing west coast.
Rafflesia arnoldii produces the largest individual flower of any species in the world. But you might not want to get too close to it because it has 'a penetrating smell more repulsive than any buffalo carcass in an advanced stage of decomposition'.<br/><br/> Illustration by Friederich AW Miquel [1863].
Raksha Bandhan, (the bond of protection) or Rakhi is a Hindu festival primarily observed in India, Mauritius and Nepal, which celebrates the relationship between brothers (shaurya), cousins and sisters (shreya). It is also called Rakhi Purnima in most of India. The festival is observed by Hindus, Jains, and some Sikhs.<br/><br/> In times past Rajput queens practised the custom of sending rakhi threads to neighbouring rulers as token of brotherhood and good will. Even today, in many cities across the country, Hindu girls tie rakhi on the wrist of youths they consider their brothers. The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her. The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
Kota, Rajasthani: कोटा, formerly known as Kotah, is the third biggest city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan after Jaipur and Jodhpur. It is located 240 kilometres (149 miles) south of state capital, Jaipur.<br/><br/> The city of Kota is situated near the center of the southeastern region of Rajasthan, a region widely known as Hadoti, the land of the Hadas. Kota lies along the banks of the Chambal river. It became a separate princely state in the 17th century. Apart from the several monuments that reflect the erstwhile glory of the town, Kota is also known for its palaces and gardens.