India
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Man sporting a traditional moustache.
Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentJodhpurRajasthanmoustachePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Turbans worn in Rajastan are referred to as the Pagari. They vary in style, colour and size. They also indicate a wearer's social class, caste, region and the occasion it being worn for. Its shape and size may also vary with the climatic conditions of the different regions. Turbans in the hot desert areas are large and loose. Farmers and shepherds, who need constant protection from the elements of nature, wear some of the biggest turbans. The Rajasthani turban also has many practical functions. Exhausted travellers use it as a pillow, a blanket or a towel. It can be used to strain muddy water. An unravelled turban can also be used as a rope to draw water from a well with a bucket
Small farming village outside Bundi, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanTurbanHindumoustachePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Taj Mahal
The Taj, to you may seem, a mark of love supreme
You may hold this beauteous vale in great esteem;
Yet, my love, meet me hence at some other place!
How odd for the poor folk to frequent royal resorts;
‘Tis strange that the amorous souls should tread the regal paths Trodden once by mighty kings and their proud consorts. Behind the facade of love my dear, you had better seen, The marks of imperial might that herein lie screen’d You who take delight in tombs of kings deceased, Should have seen the hutments dark where you and I did wean. Countless men in this world must have loved and gone, Who would say their loves weren’t truthful or strong? But in the name of their loves, no memorial is raised For they too, like you and me, belonged to the common throng.
Sahir Ludhianvi’sindiaIndian SubcontinentTaj MahalAgramistFogPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Muslim boy nodding of.
Udaipur. India, 2011indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurMuslimboysbicyclesleepingPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Young woman washing herself in lake Pichola.
Udaipur, Rajasthan, 2011.indiaIndian Subcontinentlake PicholaUdaipurRajasthanlakehinduPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
On the rooftops of Delhi, above the noise and pollution of the streets below, there is another world rarely seen by foreigners. In a city with a population of nearly 14 million space is something witch is not taken for granted. Here on the rooftops people build workshops, kitchens making food for restaurants around the city, and shacks were whole families live right beside there work place.
New Delhi, India, 2011indiaIndian SubcontinentNew DelhiDelhishacksrooftopsPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Street scene.
Jaisalmer, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentJaisalmerPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Portrait of a Hindu woman.
Bundi, India, 2011indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiHinduHindu womanPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
The education of women in India plays a significant role in improving livings standards in the country. A higher women literacy rate improves the quality of life both at home and outside of home, by encouraging and promoting education of children, especially female children, and in reducing the infant mortality rate. Several studies have shown that a lower level of women literacy rates results in higher levels of fertility and infant mortality, poorer nutrition, lower earning potential and the lack of an ability to make decisions within a household. Women’s lower educational levels is also shown to adversely affect the health and living conditions of children. A survey that was conducted in India showed results which support the fact that infant mortality rate was inversely related to female literacy rate and educational level. The survey also suggests a correlation between education and economic growth.
School in Bundi, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian Subcontinenteducationwomen in IndiaSchoolBundiRajasthanPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Shop in the desert town of Jaisalmer.
India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentJaisalmershopingPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Truck driver and passenger take a nap in the cool shade of a tree, after having being involved in a serious traffic accident.
Road from Delhi to Agra, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentDelhiTrucklorryAccidentPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Women washing themselves and there clothes at the lake in Udaipur.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurRajasthanbirdslakelake PicholaPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Women have a much lower literacy rate than men. Far fewer girls are enrolled in the schools, and many of them drop out. The chief barrier to female education in India are inadequate school facilities (such as sanitary facilities), shortage of female teachers and gender bias in curriculum (majority of the female characters being depicted as weak and helpless). Conservative cultural attitudes, especially among Muslims, prevents some girls from attending school.
School in Bundi, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentSchoolBundiRajasthanstudentPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
School boy in uniform.
Johdpur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentJohdpurRajasthanTuk TukPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Mother cuddles her newly born baby in her home, in the small town of Bundi
Rajasthan, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanbabybedPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Man taking a nap.
Small village outside Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurRajashtansleepinghotelPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Portrait of a girl taken in a small village outside Jodhpur.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentJodhpurRajashanPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Portrait of a Sadhu.
Udaipur, Rajashtan, India, 2011.indiaIndianSubcontinentUdaipurRajashtansadhuholyPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Man sleeping outside his hut in a small village outside Bundi.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthansleepingPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Local boys jump back over the security fence after there cricket match is interrupted by patrolling soldiers.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentTaj MahalAgraboysPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
The women take pride in their traditional jewellery and Rajasthani womenfolk cherish their heritage. The pieces of jewellery are often heirlooms and passed down in families. The Rakhri, Bindi and Borla are the main head ornaments of the women of the state. Besides these, they use an assortment of jeweled pins, clips and hair brooches. The Nath is a nose ring that holds a very important place in the woman’s adornments. It is considered auspicious and worn on every joyous occasion.
Jaiselmeer, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentJaiselmeerRajasthanBindijewelleryPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Viewed from the other side of the Jamuna river away from the noisy crowds the Taj Mahal regains its romantic beauty. A local boy, lit by the warm light of a single street lamp takes a rest before heading back to his village.
Agra, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentAgraRajasthanbicyclePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
The Thar Desert covering Western Rajasthan is the most populated desert of the world. The districts of Western Rajasthan are drought prone with high frequency and intensity of droughts. The people of the Thar Desert experienced what is called TRIKAAL; i.e. the disappearance of the three life sustaining resources : water, food and fodder. An analysis of past 100 years indicates that the districts of Western Rajasthan had 46 drought years.
Since 2002 Maharaja Hanwant Singhji has worked together with different trusts providing the people of the desert with much needed hand pumps from were they can get safe drinking water from deep underground.
Small village outside of Johdpur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentwashingPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Muslim shop owner in the small town of Bundi,
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentMuslimBundiRajasthanshopPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Mehrangarh Fort, is one of the largest forts in India.
The fort is situated 400 feet (122 m) above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. A winding road leads to and from the city below. The imprints of cannonball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate.
Johdpur, Rajasthan, India, 2011indiaIndian SubcontinentMehrangarh FortJohdpurRajasthanPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Muslim boy in Bundi.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanbicyclePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
On the rooftops of Delhi, above the noise and pollution of the streets below, there is another world rarely seen by foreigners. In a city with a population of nearly 14 million space is something witch is not taken for granted. Here on the rooftops people build workshops, kitchens making food for restaurants around the city, and shacks were whole families live right beside there work place.
New Delhi, India, 2011indiaIndian SubcontinentNew DelhiDelhishacksrooftopsPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Hindu woman washing steps in Bundi.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthancleaningPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Many of the old houses in Udaipur lack running water. For this reason many local women head down to the lake at sunrise and sunset to wash themselves and do the laundry.
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurRajasthanwashingPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
The story begins on the outskirts of Jodhpur in the village of Jalnadi, home of the Bishnoi people. The year was 1730, give or take. Servants of the maharajah, or king, travelled there looking for timber to build his new palace. That they arrived in Jalnadi was no coincidence they knew that the Bishnoi, a religious sect that worshipped nature, forbade the felling of trees. Their village stood out on the desert landscape for its lush abundance of timber. And not just any timber, but khejri trees so valuable in the Thar desert region that the species, Prosopis cineraria, is sometimes called a “wonder tree” or “king of the desert.” Not only are these trees scarce, but they play an essential part in daily life: enriching the soil with nitrogen and other nutrients, necessary for growing crops, and providing shade, shelter and fodder for livestock. As the legend goes, a villager named Amrita Devi noticed the men wandering onto her land, cutting down her precious khejri trees. Outraged, she wedged herself between the axmen and a tree, hugging it with all her might. She is remembered as saying, “If a tree is saved from felling at the cost of one’s head, it should be considered a good deed.” The men were not impressed; Devi was decapitated in front of her two daughters. Trees continued to fall. Rather than retreat, however, Devi’s daughters followed their mother’s suit and clung valiantly to the trees. Within moments, they too were beheaded by the maharajah’s men. It was not long before the whole village rose up in revolt. Men, women and children joined in, embracing the trees upon which their survival depended and heads continued to roll.
Bishnois from nearby villages joined the fight. An astonishing 363 people had been slaughtered by the time the maharajah intervened. He immediately issued a decree protecting their land from any future harm. The Bishnoi martyrs paid a heavy price. But over the next three centuries, such commitment to ecological conservation would prove invaluable to their descendants. Living in a region threatened by crippling droughts and limited natural resources, the Bishnoi have favoured far better than other communities. They have staved off famine and migration, living by a sacred code that treats plants and animal life with supreme respect. Their rugged, self-sufficient way of life has let them live richly in the desert for hundreds of years, a way of life worth defending, arguably, by any means necessary.
Bishnoi women waiting for the bus "Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentKhejarliBishnoiRajasthanBus StopPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
India has made progress in terms of increasing primary education attendance rate and expanding literacy to approximately two thirds of the population. India's improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to the economic rise of India. Much of the progress specially in Higher education. However, India continues to face stern challenges. Despite growing investment in education, 25% of its population is still illiterate; only 15% of Indian students reach high school, and just 7% graduate.
School in Bundi, Rajashtan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentSchoolBundiRajashtanstudentsPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Portrait of a Muslim shop owner Bundi.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
The caretaker at a local school leaves her daughter resting on a hammock whist she gets on with her duties.
Budi, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanbabyPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Out of the 24 states in India, 6 of them have female literacy rates of below 60 percent. The rural state Rajasthan has a female literacy rate of less than 12 percent.
School, Bundi, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentSchoolBundiRajasthanstudentsPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Shop front in Udaipur.
Rajasthan, India 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurRajasthanblindPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Man stands and looks out into Lake Pichola after washing himself in the lake.
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurRajasthanlakeLake PicholaPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Small village outside of Bundi.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
homeless boy sleeping on a bench.
Delhi, India, 2011.boysleepingstreetsdreamingindiaDelhiPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Muslim Boy, Bundi.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanMuslimPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Street musicians playing beside a food stall.
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentJaipurRajasthanmusiciansPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
street scene, Bundi.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanMuslimPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Boy walking on a wall along lake Pichola in Udaipur.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurRajasthanLakeLake PicholaPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Portrait of a Muslim man, Bundi.
Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentBundiRajasthanPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
The Lake Palace was built in 1743-1746. It is made of marble and is situated on Jag Niwas island in Lake Pichola. It was originally built as a royal summer palace, but is now a luxury 5 Star hotel, operating under the "Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces" banner.
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurRajasthanlakeLake PicholaPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
Man and wife devoid of running water at home wash themselves and there laundry at lake Pichola,overlooked by the opulent lake palace.
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.indiaIndian SubcontinentUdaipurRajasthanlake PicholaLakewashingPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.comasia
