Second entry for today. While on the way to Rajgad, we saw a couple of red Hibiscus flowers on the road. We plucked just one of them for the small Ganesha idol in our car. Ghanekar Sir was quick to point out that this common red Hibiscus(Jaswanda) flower that we see everywhere is actually Chinese.
I've been thinking on and off about the use of chariots in ancient India, or the practicality thereof.
The problem with using any vehicle, even a bullock cart is that it isn't as comfortable when used on uneven roads and/or at higher speeds. Even small pebbles or potholes on a relatively flat road can be anything from a minor nuisance to a major problem that can damage the wheel. Afaik, chariots (at least the Indian ones) had no suspension systems to provide riding comfort.
I was talking to Ghanekar Sir today and he says that chariots were extremely rarely used in the medieval era, at least MH region. They were used for ceremonial purposes, but that's it. Wheels were (ideally) fitted with metal "tyres" for them to be protected from further wear and tear.
So chariots would be rather rare till we would have an industrial scale production of not just wooden chariot frame, wheels, axles, etc., but also of the metal components needed in and around the chariot.
Anyway, I just want to make a mental note here that this tree is a good candidate for a shade-giving, fruit-bearing, fast-growing, native tree. Should plant this in open spaces
