Village near Raj Mahal

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Just to the east of the ruins of Raj Mahal, and 4 km east of the current town of Raj Mahal, is a small village along the Grand Trunk Road. We took a walk through the village -- it was a great opportunity to get off the ship, get some exercise, and interact with rural India.

This is India -- greetings from a cow at the start of the village.

Of course, cows are not confined to the edges of the village, but can found at almost every house.

The village is along the Grand Trunk Road -- an ancient trade route through India also known as the Northern Path (Uttarapatha). The route is at least 2,000 years old, and connects the eastern side of India (now Kolkata) with Lahore (Pakistan) and Kabul (Afghanistan).

The village clearly expected us -- it was obvious that a cruise ship had pulled up to the dock, and most of the time the shore excursion includes a village walk. We felt like we were a parade, with villagers taking photos of us with their cell phones, and us taking photos of them.

Some families watched from their rooftop.

Standard "mass-transit" in this part of India.

Children carrying bags of firewood.

These "loaves" of cow dung and straw will be sliced into patties and used as fuel.

Beehives in a mango grove on the outskirts of the village.

Today's Ganga view. Agriculture comes to the edge of the river.