Photograph - Samrat Yantra (a gigantic sundial at Jaipur) size 7 3/4" x 5 5/8". Toned Bromide print.

This photograph shows the Samrat Yantra, a giant sundial at the Jaipur Observatory in India. It is one of a series of massive instruments built and designed under the supervision of Maharajah jai Singh II. Finding European, Islamic and Hindu astronomical tables inaccurate, Singh decided to make his own observations to improve matters. As ruler of Rajastan, he built several observatories starting in 1724 with one near Delhi. Built of masonry the Jaipur instruments were used to accurately measure the position of the Sun, stars, moon and planets. Lacking telescopes these devices used naked eye sights and massive but precise construction.