The World's Fair

The amazing efficiency of the Victorian postal service recently came to my attention. I suppose back then people took it for granted as a part of life, but it does show how much could be achieved in the past through human effort that we find almost unbelievable from our limited modern perspective.

A few extracts can be found on the matter here. Victorian London - Communications - Post - Delivery Times and Postal Regulations
I will quote some choice extracts below.
Victorian London - Communications - Post - Delivery Times and Postal Regulations

Regulations of the Twopenny Post Office.- The principal office is at the General Post Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand There are, besides, upwards of 400 receiving houses for letters, both in town and country. There are seven collections and deliveries of letters in town daily, and five deliveries daily at all places in the environs of London, situate within a circle of three miles' distance from the head establishment in St. Martin's le Grand, that having been determined as the limits of the Post Office. The country delivery, as it is called, extends to a distance of twelve miles from the metropolis, and most places within that limit have four despatches and four deliveries daily (Sundays excepted).

Mogg's New Picture of London and Visitor's Guide to it Sights, 1844
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London is divided into 8 postal districts, in which the number of deliveries varies from 12 to 6 daily, between 7.30 a.m. and 7.45 p.m.

Letters posted at the Receiving-houses in London before 6 at night are delivered the same evening at all places within a circle of three miles from the General Post Office; or if posted before 5, they are delivered in the environs the same evening.

Murray's Handbook to London As It Is, 1879
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The NIGHT MAILS FROM LONDON leave the G. P. 0. at 8 p.m., and (with one or two exceptions) arrive at all important towns in England and Wales in time for a morning delivery, beginning before 9 o’clock.
The arrival at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin is also in time for a similar delivery.

Charles Dickens (Jr.), Dickens's Dictionary of London, 1879
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Doubtless, a lot of this efficiency was facilitated by the equally impressive Victorian era railway system.
This subject was brought up by Irving Finkel in a speech about diaries (mentioned around the 44 minute mark). Where he mentioned that people in Victorian London may receive as many as four sets of postal deliveries in a day. With the system being efficient enough that people would sometimes send sick notes in the post saying they would be late to work that day. Funny how comparable its usage was to modern electronic communication methods.
 
Seato said:
The amazing efficiency of the Victorian postal service recently came to my attention. I suppose back then people took it for granted as a part of life, but it does show how much could be achieved in the past through human effort that we find almost unbelievable from our limited modern perspective.

A few extracts can be found on the matter here. Victorian London - Communications - Post - Delivery Times and Postal Regulations
I will quote some choice extracts below.



Doubtless, a lot of this efficiency was facilitated by the equally impressive Victorian era railway system.
This subject was brought up by Irving Finkel in a speech about diaries (mentioned around the 44 minute mark). Where he mentioned that people in Victorian London may receive as many as four sets of postal deliveries in a day. With the system being efficient enough that people would sometimes send sick notes in the post saying they would be late to work that day. Funny how comparable its usage was to modern electronic communication methods.
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Yes. Never underestimate just how creative, efficient and genius people and societies of the past could be. Nowadays we tend to believe (quite wrongly, I think) that things can work only in the way we know how to do it today while we tend to think it couldn’t be done better or more advanced. A big mistake to think that way I believe.
 
Seato said:
I just so happened to come across a physical copy of the book What the Victorians Did for Us by Adam Hart-Davis in 2001 in connection with a BBC documentary of the same name[1].
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This documentary series is great. Thanks for mentioning it.

I've only watched a couple episodes and I'm getting answers to questions I didn't know I had. I'm also consistently surprised at the ingenuity and creativity that sometimes led to elegant solutions to complex problems.

Definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the Victorian era or the development of the industrial revolution.
 
to many ,to crazy,

add similar building world wide , and global systemic dismantling of the crutial elements from them . i have listed this above.
adding all of that doesn't add up, i am basing my statement on countless hours researching this topic.
A Jay said:
This documentary series is great. Thanks for mentioning it.

I've only watched a couple episodes and I'm getting answers to questions I didn't know I had. I'm also consistently surprised at the ingenuity and creativity that sometimes led to elegant solutions to complex problems.

Definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the Victorian era or the development of the industrial revolution.
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something i will definitely read/watch.

we are leaving in era of ugliness
 
your opinion is welcomed,

came across thanks to microsoft wall paper :
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1760520001404.jpeg

official explanation on CIApedia :
Hawa Mahal, also known as the "Palace of Winds," is a stunning architectural marvel in Jaipur, built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to allow royal women to observe street life without being seen.

Historical​

Hawa Mahal was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. The palace was designed by Lal Chand Ustad and is inspired by the Khetri Mahal in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. The Maharaja wanted to create a structure that would allow the royal women to enjoy the festivities and daily life in the streets while adhering to the purdah system, which restricted their visibility in public.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=3745...3aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvSGF3YV9NYWhhbA&ntb=1
Wikipedia+1

Architectural​

The palace is renowned for its unique honeycomb structure, featuring 953 small windows known as jharokhas, intricately decorated with latticework. This design not only provided privacy for the women but also allowed cool breezes to flow through, making the palace comfortable during the hot summers. The façade of Hawa Mahal resembles the crown of Lord Krishna, reflecting the spiritual significance and artistic sensibilities of the time.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=3745...3aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvSGF3YV9NYWhhbA&ntb=1
Wikipedia+2

Purpose​

Hawa Mahal was primarily built as a viewing gallery for the royal women, enabling them to observe the vibrant life of Jaipur without being seen. The architectural design served multiple purposes, including social, religious, and climatic needs, making it a remarkable example of Rajputana architecture infused with Mughal influences.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=775a...pdGFubmljYS5jb20vcGxhY2UvSGF3YS1NYWhhbA&ntb=1
Britannica+1

Cultural​

Today, Hawa Mahal stands as a symbol of Jaipur's rich cultural heritage and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in India. It reflects the socio-cultural practices of the 18th century and continues to be a significant landmark that tells the story of royal traditions and architectural brilliance.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=5153...uZXQvbW9udW1lbnRzL2hhd2EtbWFoYWwuaHRtbA&ntb=1
Cultural India+1

In summary, Hawa Mahal is not just an architectural wonder but also a monument that encapsulates the history, culture, and artistic legacy of Rajasthan, making it a must-visit site for anyone exploring the Pink City of Jaipur.


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Is it just me, or would it seem that if someone wants to cover their windows, they put up curtains? Considering the variety of fabrics available in India, this would be a better and easier way to comply with local religious laws.
 
Kadam303 said:
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Is it just me, or would it seem that if someone wants to cover their windows, they put up curtains? Considering the variety of fabrics available in India, this would be a better and easier way to comply with local religious laws.
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Perhaps the geometry and colours may have been significant and not so much the 'covering up' of anything. Just thinkin'.
 
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