mol, the flour of meadow grass, used by the family of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597) to make cakes during the many years of their isolation in the wilds of the Aravallis in the Rana's long fight against the Mughals.

Molela, a small town near HALDIGHATI, 45 km. from Udaipur; renowned for the production of terra cotta ware. Over forty households are involved (although they originate from two families) in working the fine black local clay into beautiful items. Perhaps the most important objects made here are the figures of Hindu gods and goddesses. Typical Rajput figures, decorated tiles, and animals are also exquisitely modelled. Besides these, all sorts of bowls, pots and crockery are made, and decorated with folklore patterns.

monkeys, two main species are to be found around Udaipur, the short-tailed, reddish-brown Rhesus Monkey (which is not to be trusted), and the elegant, long-tailed Langur, which is grey with distinctive black face and feet.

Monsoon Palace, Udaipur: see SAJJANGARH.

Months, Hindu: see HINDU MONTHS.

Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard), City Palace, Udaipur, an inner area that is better known as the Peacock Courtyard because of the magnificent coloured glass (from Belgium) and mirror mosaics of peacocks and other birds. Maharana KARAN SINGH II (1620-1628) built it as a new durbar (meeting or reception) area. Actually, Maharana SAJJAN SINGH (1874-1884) added the peacocks, to which Mor Chowk owes its name, more than two hundred years later.

morchal, a fan of peacock's feathers, part of royal insignia

Mori King's Palace, Chittor; west of Chatrang tank; the ruins of the old palace of the Mori king, CHITRANG.

Morwan, a Mewar district 75 km. from Udaipur (near Mangalwar on the Udaipur-Chittor highway), given as surety to the Maratha, SINDHIA when the Mewar Government was unable to pay war tribute. The district's annual income went directly to the Marathas to pay off the outstanding 'debt'.

Mother Goddess, the Hindu Goddess of Fertility: see DURGA.

Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Temples, Nagda (nicknames): see SAS-BAHU TEMPLES.

moti, (Hindi) pearl.

Moti, another name for Chandan, the sacrificed son of PANNA DHAI.

Moti (Pearl) Bazaar, Chittorgarh; the ruins of the ancient Jewellers' Market in the northern sector, close to Bari Pol.

Moti Chauhatta, Udaipur; a locality beyond the Clock Tower, near the Homoeopathy hospital.

Moti Magri (Pearl Hill), a hillock a few kilometres south of the City Palace complex, Udaipur. The landscaped gardens here were constructed around MOTI MAHAL, the original palace built by Maharana UDAI SINGH II, where he and the royal family lived while the City Palace was being constructed (started 1567). Moti Mahal was abandoned once the new residence was completed. There is a pleasant walk through this Japanese style garden to the top of the hill where the PRATAP SINGH MEMORIAL stands, and one has a panoramic view of FATEH SAGAR LAKE below, and Udaipur beyond.

Moti Mahal, the ruins of an historic palace, Udaipur; the first home in Udaipur of Maharana UDAI SINGH II, while he was building his new city; built upon MOTI MAGRI, the hill overlooking FATEH SAGAR, a few kilometres north of the City Palace.

Moti Mahal, City Palace, Udaipur; one of the later additions to the sprawling complex. It is embellished not with pearls (as its name suggests - 'moti' means 'pearl') but with thousands of tiny mirrors. Possibly, it was named after Udai Singh's original palace built upon a hill a couple of kilometres to the north.

Motto, HRH GROUP, taken from an ancient Sanskrit pronouncement: "Atithi Devo Bhava" ("Treat a guest as if he were God himself").

Mount Abu: see ABU, MOUNT.