Golden Fort Vertigo, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

Perched in the heart of the Thar Desert (literal meaning abode of the dead), Jaisalmer Fort upsurges like a mirage from the golden sands, with its huge lookout tower pointing skywards. Built in 1156, Jaisalmer is the second oldest of Rajasthan's major forts after Chittorgarh & is one of the largest of desert forts of the world. The fort was built on the triangular shaped Trikuta hill, 76 m above the town in the 17th century. It is enclosed by a 9m wall with 99 bastions. Within this Rajput fort is a series of palaces, the product of successive generations of rulers.

Jaisalmer Fort is a monument worth visiting and worth retaining in your conscious mind. Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila (the Golden Fort), the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands. The Golden Fort is so called for its exquisite golden hue that reflects the aura of setting sun on its ramparts. Incidentally "Sonar Quila" is a Bengali (my mother tongue) name, coined & made famous by a film of the same name by one of India’s foremost film directors, Satyajit Ray.

Two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high; the Fort has 99 bastions, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647. Wells within the fort still provide a regular source of water. Even today, nearly one fourth of the old city's population resides within the fort, making Jaisalmer Fort the world's only living fort.

Interestingly some round stones are still kept on the ramparts, and you can see quite a few of them in the picture. These were part of the medieval defense system ready to throw down on enemy attackers. The steep cobblestone pathway leading to the royal palace passes through four gates-Akhai Pole (Ganesh Pole), Suraj Pole, Bhuta Pole and Hawa Pole. Sharp turns on the road topped by high defence gateways made it invincible. The hanging clothes in the FG are finely embroidered bed sheets, which lapped up as souvenirs by tourists!

pierrefonds, orme, holmertz, Vato_Law, bukitgolfb301, Gerrit, siolaw, dip, Longroute, John_F_Kennedy, subhendu_bagchi, Fante, Wanda1, josepmarin, Waylim, pajaran, jafadabret, Atousa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

npecanhuk (79329) 2010-03-21 4:51

Hi Angshuman!
With an original high pov and a superb composition, this picture is so attractive and interesting!
Sharpness, exposure and colors are also outstanding features in this image!
I really like it!
TFS - congratulations!
My warmest regards,
Neyvan

aloyho (6798) 2010-03-21 5:45

Hi Angshuman,
India certainly holds many architectural and historical treasures which are of interest to the outsiders and you are providing an avenue to make that possible through your detailed notes and interesting capture. Your good POV have made comprehension and appreciation of these places even more rewarding. Great shot!!

Best regards.

pierrefonds (113552) 2010-03-21 5:52

Hi Angshuman,

This is an impressive fort. The presence of the persons has an effect of scale. The point of view is showing with precision the details and colors of the architecture of the Jaisalmer Fort. It is well framed. The late morning light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

orme (7219) 2010-03-21 6:45

Hello Angshuman,

Your point of view here is just excellent and it really makes the shot special. The people help to give us a sense of scale.

Incredible architecture and wonderful colours. I like the fact that we have a clear view of the entire tower.

Best regards,
Andrew

holmertz (101956) 2010-03-21 7:09

Hello Angshuman,
A fascinating photo and a very informative note. Jaisalmer is one of those detours I didn't do while in India, and which I regret. Apart from the impressive construction of the walls of the forts and the maze of houses outside, there are many fine details that I like. Such as the round stones you mentioned, but also the three people in red and orange shirts at the bottom and the colourful laundry in the foreground.
Kind regards,
Gert

sayeed_rahman (6461) 2010-03-21 7:42

That is a classic my friend, thanks for taking this post and bringing back a memory that is still so strong now that i recollect a few scenes from the movie..i have never read the novel though, that would have been a ride to reckon with..

is the entire fort is open to tourists ? - i am yet to visit one..following you is like visiting the places i have not or never who knows..

stay close brother

sayeed

Vato_Law (12732) 2010-03-21 9:22

Hello Angshu.
How have you been?

I was lloking at your photo, and wondering if someone in your country has the aproximate number of fortifications that exists all around India, as for my side I can imagine hundreds or even thousands, each one more stuning than the other. This plunging view shows us clearly the magnitude of this construction, its size and how solid it has to be, and those tiny littlr 3 persons at the bottom leaves no doubt about its impressive size.
The view at BG of the little city houses shows us that maybe hundreds of them would fit easily inside this amazing fort.

Cheers.
Paulo

emka (157280) 2010-03-21 9:26

Hi Angshu,

Where you found this high POV? I ahven't been so high :). Fantastic view over the city roofs, Fort's walls, the street below...
Great shot.

Regards

Malgorzata

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2010-03-21 14:01

Hello my dear Prof. Angshuman

The victory of fish eye focus
Sharp/clear/deep description in the detail as usual.
Very vivid color is always marlvelous too.　
Well considered framework!
You did a great job again indeed!
Thanks for sharing and have a blue Monday!
Best regards,
Takero

Morac (27725) 2010-03-21 16:49

Hello Angshuman,

Your point of view here is just excellent : fantastic view over the city roof.
Regards
Marc

Gerrit (62042) 2010-03-21 17:08

Hi Angshu,
impressive and beautiful view over the fort and the houses bryond.
Wonderful light and colors.
regards Gerrit

siolaw (38294) 2010-03-21 21:52

Hi Angshu
Nice high, bird eye view of the fort and town. Clarity, warm colours and sharp details are all there. Interesting note too!
Greetings
Laurent

dip (21408) 2010-03-21 23:08

Hi Angshu,
I like the point of view and the details,
good lighting and nice natural colors as well!
greetings,
Dimitris.

Graal (103040) 2010-03-22 0:01

Hi Angshuman,
good high POV and fine glance on the fort. An interesting details and note. Well presentation. I like it.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

mesutilgim (0) 2010-03-22 0:46

Hi Angshuman,
Great pov (and also quşte high) ! But without this pov, all those hidden beauties and details could not be seen.
Very nice warm colors and good usefull notes.
TFS and best regards from İstanbul
MESUT ILGIM

Ricx (13495) 2010-03-22 0:51

Hi Angshu, This is an amazing image with some great colours and great depth. Your images of India are starting to create a very different image of this wonderful country than what the TV shows us. This fort looks amazing, especially with the wonderful colour stone. TFS Ricx

jasmis (58653) 2010-03-22 2:38

Interesting place shown from amazing high POV.
Regards my dear friend.

Longroute (19600) 2010-03-22 4:14

Spectacular view from above. You had to be in the highest tower to be able to take such a photo. The fort is really so fine and picturesque but I think it was not easy to exclude the house in the bg. Not only the architecture is quite interesting but the ocra colour makes a wonderful view here.
I wonder what are those rounds stones which are visible on the roofs and along the walls...
Quite a fine image and an important document.
TFs,
Donato

carper (96) 2010-03-22 4:19

a very nice view Angshu,
not easy with the hard light but you did do a fine job here, good lines fine contrast, good photo job here, have a good day.
regard jaap

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2010-03-22 5:30

Hello Angshuman,
The composition is well taken, the perspective is awesome. A beautiful fort in nice colours.
best wishes,
Achim

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2010-03-22 6:49

Dear dada,
brilliant composition with the desert fort and the buildings outside. Lovely contrast. Great colour of this 'sonar kella'. Nice higher POV chosen. Great capture with those colourful clothes in FG and those colourful people in road. Nice use of frame. Very well done. Tfs.
Bhalo theko,
Subhendu

Fante (5429) 2010-03-22 7:21

Hi Angshuman,
what sn smszing view. One word: wow. Excelent POV and DOF. brilliant shrpness, millions of details. Lovely natural colors. Beautiful photo. Congratulations. TFS
Regards, Sasko

Wanda1 (15142) 2010-03-22 7:57

Hi Angshuman,
I am so fond of these high up view points and you had a fabulous one here looking down over the golden walls of the fort and the cubic city beyond. Love the details of those round stones and of the three people walking along and the little white dog as well as the colourful cloths hanging. Perfectly sharp image.
Best Regards
Wanda

josepmarin (59385) 2010-03-22 12:17

Namaste, my friend Angshuman,
Certainly this is a not suitable image for the people who suffers vertigo.
The high POV provides a good depth to the image due to the high angle shot on the architecture of the Fort, with the city in background.
The graphical result is magnificent, and the balance of the light and the shades allows us to see the shapes of the buildings with a great sharpness.
Well done.
Best regards,
Josep

Fis2 (169679) 2010-03-22 13:02

Witaj Angshu!
A very curious view.
Wonderful objact.
Good frame and colors.
Very impressive picture.
Regards
Kzrysztof

emjleclercq (15778) 2010-03-22 14:37

Less colors for this one, but a good altitude! It givesan interesting view of the top of the wall in the middle, large enough to accomodate soliders, apparently, althouh no stairs are visible.

All the best,

Emmanuel

Waylim (25436) 2010-03-22 21:01

Hi Angshu,
Vertigo is right. I get a little bit of that looking down from highrises.

I like the POV, it show the overall view of the place. I like that you include much or the background, even though it is not the nicest part of the city, but it is unfortunately, many people live in that condition. It is much part of the society, as a tourist we avoid such place and only want to see the nicer part. Technically all is fine as usual and a good composition and well managed light and well balance colors.
Way

pajaran (114867) 2010-03-23 0:26

Pozdrav.
Dobar pogled na staru arhitekturu, lepe boje i fotografija, i dalje odoleva vremenu i lepo izgleda.
Radimo, Paja.

Google.

Hello.
A good view of the old architecture, beautiful paintings and photographs, and still withstand time and good looks.
We, Paja.

jafadabret (56501) 2010-03-23 3:52

Bonjour Angshu.
Cette photo est très réussie avec un excellent POV sur ce fort et ses différents murs de défense. J'aime bien les galets prévus pour accueillir l'ennemi. On ne se lasse pas de parcourir cette composition faite de murailles et de tours colorées.
Amicalement
Jacques

sacavem (18620) 2010-03-23 4:19

Olá Angshuman,

Good work to capture this image.
Excellent composition, very nice colours, and sharpness.
Well done.
Best wishes,
Filipe

pablominto (53746) 2010-03-26 0:03

Hello Angshu,

The old fort overlooking the town seems to have been an important stronghold in days gone by!
Impressive dimensions and intriguing construction with several layers of defence thresholds...
Impressive elevated point of view, giving a superb look at the old fort!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Atousa (7131) 2010-05-28 5:50

Salam Angshu,

This pov gives the sense of being a bird flying over the fort to see many interesting details of the place including the round stones n also part of the city.. the golden color is really amazing.. very well done!
Tfs
Best regards, Atousa

kordinator (8738) 2010-12-29 1:39

Hello Angshuman
Great motive,an amzing fort you captured.
Wonderful high point of view for excellent composition.
Amazing light managment and fantastic colors.
Superb texture.
Perfect framed image.
Happy New Year 2011.
Best wishes
Saša