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Last Thursday, we launched three new permanent galleries at the museum, (almost) completing our transformation from one kind of museum into another… I took the opportunity of the launch to also reveal, my own personal vision for the museum as … Continue reading
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On October 18th, my new book, SINGAPORE 1819 – A LIVING LEGACY launches. This is my third book, and it comes some three years after the first two. I’m immensely pleased that it’s finally done, given that it is pretty … Continue reading
This gallery contains 21 photos.
In Jaipur, I stayed at the Rambagh Palace – that exquisite fairytale palace of a Grand Hotel, nestled in its own extensive grounds to the south of Albert Hall Museum. Built in 1835, the palace was once the home of … Continue reading
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Jaipur was established in 1727 by the Maharaja Jai Singh II, who shifted his capital here from the Amber Fort. From the beginning, the Maharaja wanted a city that married ancient traditions with modern needs – and so, surprisingly for … Continue reading
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In 1727, the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Amber moved his capital city and residence from the Amber Fort to a new city he would call Jaipur (Jai’s City). In that city, he built a palace that would come … Continue reading
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The Amber Fort, also known as the Amer Fort, is the ancestral seat of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The fort is not named for its colour, but for the town it sits in, called Amer. Perched impossibly on a hill-top, … Continue reading
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And so we arrive in Rajasthan, formerly known as Rajputana – Land of the Rajput princes. Unlike the Mughals, the princes here were Hindu princes, and almost all had sworn fealty first to the Mughal Emperor, then to the Marathas … Continue reading
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Just over a week ago today, my beloved cat, whose name was Theo, but whom we always called “Baby”, died from a sudden and very aggressive onset of feline lymphoma. With his passing, something inside me died. For as long … Continue reading
This gallery contains 27 photos.
For the sake of completeness, our Grand Tour of Agra also takes in the city’s lesser-known colonial history and heritage. In 1803, the British invaded Delhi, and shortly after, Agra, commencing 150 years of colonial rule. Earlier on, there had … Continue reading
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The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan is probably the best known of the Emperors. He reigned from 1628 – 1658, a short 30-year reign. But during his reign he would also commission a grand number of buildings across the capitals of … Continue reading
Dream Of A City 