Brendan+O

Brendan O’Connell

Jan 4th, 2009 – Visit to India

Arrived in India about 3 o’clock. The sun is high in the sky and the temperatures comfortable. With winter at its end, a jacket will be sufficient tonight. I have few worries about rain because winter is dry season. The streets, of various widths, were laid out years ago by Maharaja Singh II, the greatest Astronomer of his day. Some of his astronomical intruments, made of emornous size of stone, are still visible today. The number of people in Agra has greatly increased over the last centry [century]. I find the streets extremely crowded with some people with a red spot on their foreheads. I learn that the red spot indicates they are high caste. These people are the same class as the Majarajas.

The Taj Mahal at Agra is owned by Parsees. They also built and own the Taj Majal. The Parsees a re high caste of equal blood with Prime Ministers. Material for Taj Mahal was brought to Agra from all over Asia. Transported by elephant. In going through India on the way we passed through desert, forest, grassland, and tundra. Cattle graze in fields. Other animals do too. The rupees have helped me afford many of my things here in India. Some changes made in the last centry [century] but Taj Mahal has stayed the same. The people are still expert in brass, enamel, gold and silver. And the mines of ruby, jade, topaz, garnet, white sapphire and other gems are sent the world over. As is their blue and white pottery, although I find that gaudy. The ecomony is helped by the export of coal, this area's major resource, along with iron ore and other resources like manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land. They export and trade most of these things. The goverment [government] has improved and kept a very healthy, happy standard for its people.

Tomorrow I will visit the Jaigarth Fort on top of a nearly mountain. The Fort is the where the Maharaja's wives live after his death. Nearby is the Palace, built in 1592 and added to in 1626 and 1666. For years the Palace has been guarded by the Meen. They are aborigines who are regarded for their loyalty. I know this country is independent, but it retains the feel that it is still a colony of Great Britain, yet with its own customs.