The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh c6.s1.t1.26

c6.s1.t1.26

12. *Ankabūt* (aranea) or *shabakah* (rete). The *‘ankabūt* or ‘spider’ is an open work tablet so arranged that the one below it may be conveniently seen (Figures 5, 6, 9 and 10). It exhibits a graduated ecliptic circle¹ with the signs of the zodiac and a number of the more important northerly stars. The points (*shazāyā*) of the net work indicate the positions of the stars, the names of which are engraved on the branches. The number of stars varies with the size, etc., of the instrument. The small Jaipur astrolabe (*D*) has 25, the Shāh Ḥusain instrument has 63, etc.