Prince Charles gets a glimpse of Rajasthan's 'royal past'

The Prince of Wales on Monday got a glimpse into the traditions of the erstwhile princely state of Marwar, which continues to mesmerise tourists, as he visited some forts and palaces of Rajasthan for a peep into the country's 'royal past'.

Prince Charles was put up in the sprawling Umaid Bhawan Palace, constructed during the British rule, when he arrived in Jodhpur from Jaipur on Sunday night.

Prince Charles in India

Providing the royal touch in all its finery to the heir to the British throne were former ruler Gaj Singh and his family in traditional attire.

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Young girls welcomed the royal guest with an aarti while Marwari folk music played in the background and decked up camels provided a feel of the desert.

Keeping the dignitary's love for horses and polo in mind, the former royal family of Jodhpur apprised him about the research work being undertaken for improving the local breed of horses.

Among other things, the royal visitor paid a visit to the medieval Mehrangarh Fort and then spent some time with disabled children who had won gold medals in the World Disabled Games held recently in London.

The Prince had a look at the renovated Ranisar Lake at the foothill of the fort.  The reservoir once used to be the lifeline of the residents of Jodhpur. He also insisted on examining the old water conservation technology at the nearby Nagaur Fort.