| caption: |
Visit to a carpet factory and to the Taj Mahal at sunset |
| text: |
I stayed in bed till 7.30 a.m. During the morning I drove with Rogers to the tomb of the Prime Minister ( ) [sic] across the Jumna & immediately to the left. The tomb is of white marble exquisitely carved & inlaid & is surrounded by red sandstone buildings, gates etc., as at the Taj. We then drove back across the bridge & visited a large hand-made carpet factory & watched men & boys at work upon the carpets. Many very young boys were working with great dexterity. The pattern was 'read' out aloud by a 'master reader' & repeated by one of the boys at each loom. Straight iron-teethed combs used for 'beating in', and razor-sharp curved knives for cutting the ends of the wool when tied into the warp. |
| text: |
We walked back to the hotel via the Park (c. 4 miles). At 4 p.m. I walked to the Taj Mahal, for a second visit. It was indescribably beautiful at sunset and with a half moon. I watched the great water-tortoises in the Jumna, Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle) diving into the river, Common Sandpipers, Kites & White Vultures on the banks. Green Parrots flying around & screaming. Two very large owls were croaking in a tree & I saw them fly off. Returned to the hotel and caught the 9.55 p.m. train from the Fort Station for Jaipur. I travelled with an Indian merchant, who was civil but very Indian in his ways. Cold journey. |
