Jodhpur's royal contibution to the world has been, if I might say so, a horsy one - what else but "Jodhpurs" or riding breeches, as we know them today. It was born out of necessity as the remarkable Sir Pratap Singh got tired of the way his traditional Rajput riding pyjamas would get frayed on the inside of his knees, as he rode. This inventive maharaja also came up with the ankle-length Jodhpur boots and the close-collared princely Jodhpuri coat.

In the evening, we visited the gigantic Umaid Bhawan Palace - a stately mansion based on the Western model. With nearly 350 rooms, it has the distinction of having been one of the largest private residences of the world. Today, it houses an excellent little museum of some of the royal family's possessions and a luxury hotel and the present Maharaja's residence.

Umaid Bhawan Palace. Click to enlarge.