Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India (22^nd December 2013)

Hookah, the quintessential instrument for smoking flavoured tobacco, was very popular with the Rajputs, the kings who ruled Rajasthan for centuries. The museum in Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur has an interesting collection of intricately designed gold and silver hookahs studded with precious stones that were used in the erstwhile Rajput kingdoms. What was more interesting was that there was also a traditionally dressed bearded man with a hookah beside him who was ready to demonstrate it’s usage for the benefit of the uninitiated!