Locked away 
News

Locked away

A 19th century Tibetan metal lock from Leh in Ladakh

V. Venkatesan

Fort Road in Leh is an enchanting, O. Henry-esque world shops named Same Same But Different, syrupy salesmen peddling cashmere shawls for, well, mere cash... And there, amidst the usual trinkets, I came across what must be the most useless lock in the world. 

&nbspAfter a bit of haggling, I bought it for Rs. 200. Made of hand-forged metal, the lock works on an elaborate lever mechanism. But whereas it took me a whole afternoon to learn to lock it, a two-year-old could perhaps pick it in twenty seconds. In the nineteenth century, Tibetans used it as a cabinet lock. Today, it rests on a friend&rsquos worktable, passing for a paperweight.

Boating At Delhi's Purana Qila Makes A Comeback After A Decade

Hidden Gem: All About Sissu Lake And Waterfall In Himachal Pradesh

Bookmark These Top Luxury Stays In Langkawi, Malaysia

ASI Unearths 4,500-Year-Old Civilisation In Deeg, Rajasthan

Here's Why This Mud Festival In Goa Should Be On Your Monsoon Itinerary

SCROLL FOR NEXT