adobe walls
abandoned house | Kuldhara, Jaisalmer | Jan 2012
mid-day light helps bring out the hues and colors of the walls from an abandoned house in the ghost town Kuldhara, 18 kms west of Jaisalmer. When I first heard the story ( more truth than mythology) I knew I had to check it out. This has to one of the most bizarre stories of human migration one can hear. Once a prosperous settlement of the Paliwal Brahmins, all the residents of Kuldhara and 83 nearby villages vanished suddenly one night in 1825, having lived there since 1291. In all likelihood they set up base somewhere beyond Jodhpur but no one has ever been sure.
What made them want to abandon everything overnight? The Prime Minister, or the dewan, is believed to have developed a lecherous eye for the chief’s daughter; it is said the Paliwal women were in general stunningly beautiful. He may even have imposed unreasonable taxes on them. With pride and honour overruling all worldly interests, the chiefs of the 84 villages decided to go away in a single night with whatever they could carry with them.
visual journey 
Beautiful photograph and a fascinating story of an abandoned town.
when I read the story, I knew I had to see it.
Interesting story and quite haunting. Really great exposure here as it really emphasized the texture and balanced the contrast.
Thanks Brandon. the colors and textures (on wall) had me interested but it was too abstract if photographed by itself
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Great image and a very interesting story behind it! It is curious how and why some civilizations just vanish without a trace. Thanks for sharing.
indeed…most civilizations were brought down by a combination of factors with nature playing a big part. here it seems to be brought about by man himself
Wonderful light, Abu! The enriched history in the colors here…hmmm…I’m in my thoughts. Beautiful. :)
thank you Nandini…Glad to hear that..although I think the story here is more evocative than the photograph itself :)
Golden colour again, Abu. Seek and ye shall find! :)
Yeah i loved the colors and the patterns on the walls. Jaisalmer in general is rich in gold and honey hues…with most of the architecture in those colors !
Lovely shot (and interesting, if sad, background to it.)
Thank you Kathryn. The story is indeed bizarre and tragic
Wonderful shot to go with a captivating story :)
I am glad you liked the story and the photograph. Thank you for dropping by and hope to see you around
Great shot! beautiful!
Thank you and glad you stopped by. Do check back again later
Thats a shocking truth of life in ancient India…which has happened more often than known! Nice to learn abt it.
abuse of power has been a theme since man first realized the power of power. It continues even today, on different scales and levels .
The bitter truth!
BEAUTIFUL COLOURS AND TEXTURE
yeah i loved the patterns on the wall…and the only time it would look so good is when the sun was at its peak
yes and it is worth the effort to be at these places at these times.