The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh c14.4

c14.4

"On the roof of the fortress are seen certain astronomical instruments, erected by the famous Rajah Djésing, a lover of astronomy: principally a gnomon in lime stone, which represents the axis of the earth, 12 Paris feet in height; some equinoctial dials of 5 spans in diameter; and some other smaller ones arranged for the latitude of the place; while other instruments exhibit different sections of the sphere. The observatory is only a feeble imitation of that at Djepour; but it has the advantage over the latter of an elevated situation, which dominates an immense plain, while the observatory of Djepour is situated in a plain, and the rising and setting of the stars cannot be seen, except from the top of a masonry gnomon of prodigious height."