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[Paintings]

Rajasthan is among the richest states in the country as far as the field of arts and crafts is concerned. May be it was a result of the war like lifestyle of the people of Rajasthan which sharpened the creative senses, artistic skills and inspired them to create the most opulent and richest of treasures. Stone, clay, leather, wood, ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver, gold and textiles were given the most brilliant forms.

Each period of history saw its own contribution to the thriving art scene. The history of Rajasthan reveals that the kings and their nobles were patrons of art and crafts and they encouraged their craftsmen in activities ranging from wood and marble carving to weaving, pottery and painting. And art seems to have been an obsession with the inhabitants of this parched landscape.

The inhabitants were not too far behind when it came to adorning themselves and it was not only the women that beautified themselves -- the heroic warriors extended equal attention to their clothing and armour -- they went into battles with meticulously ornamented swords and shields. The horses and elephants that took the warriors to battles received the same care -- jeweled saddles and intricate silver howdas were just some of the ornaments that were used to adorn them.

For women their was infinite variety -- tie and dye fabrics, embroidered garments, enamel jewelry inlayed with precious and semi-precious stones, leather, jootis etc...