QUEEN FOR A MOMENT

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QUEEN FOR A MOMENT
This cobbled road winds upward into Jaisalmer Fort, its sand-yellow ramparts of Jurassic sandstone thrusting skyward, the desert sands transformed. Residents, itinerant merchants, and travelers pack into the constricted meandering laneways of India’s “Golden City”.

Against towering bastions, these two youngsters amused themselves. Likely unaware of tragic historic events, they played between the second gate, where traitors and criminals were thrown into the “death well”, and the main square, where royal women chose death at the hands of their husbands who faced imminent defeat on the battlefield, rather than dishonourable rape by conquering troops.

Seated nearby upon brilliantly coloured blankets strewn with sparkling silver jewellery, their mothers eked out a living. Throughout Rajasthan we witnessed similar scenes: adults working, children creating their own reality with available objects. In spite of the differences of time and place, this girl reminded me of my own childhood, fascinated more by forts made of couches and cushions, and helmets and swords fashioned from household objects, than any toy purchased by my parents.

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Photos

Queen for a Moment
Enjoying what you have, not what you have not