The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh c11.s2.t1.8

c11.s2.t1.8

Kapāla.—The Kapāla is another hemispherical instrument, and is peculiar to Jaipur (figure 31). There are two examples—one being a hemisphere with its upper edge representing, as in the Jai Prakāś, the plane of the horizon, while in the other it represents the solstitial colure. The latter indicates ‘rising signs’ instead of meridian signs. Each Kapāla has a diameter of 11⅓ feet and is a complete hemisphere, that is, no pathways are cut, as in the Jai Prākāś. The graduated rims are in marble, but the remainder of the surfaces are in lime plaster.