Book, Hardcover Francis Wacziarg, Aman Nath Published in: 1987 Publisher: Mapin International Language: English In the context of the arts and crafts, Rajasthan has been a land of great patronage. Its geographic locale linked it to the Middle East and Europe. As blood mixed - in both war and peace - the cultures intermingled, bringing new skills, palettes and textures. This book opens a new world of arts and crafts. It highlights the interrelatedness of various crafts. The text also traces how most of Rajasthan's craftsunlike other parts of India where most crafts developed to answer royal needsdeveloped to fulfill rural needs. For centuries, the state of Rajasthan in northwestern India was ruled by a succession of kings. Royal patrons demanded exuberance and ostentation in the arts and crafts they fervently supported. Complex embroidery designs, latticed balconies, stained-glass windows and ornate palace ceilings are among the marvels displayed in this showcase. Yet Rajasthani art,