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Amber Fort
Location: Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Built By: 16th Century
Constructed By: Maharaja Man Singh I
Timings: Open 9.00am - 4.30pm
 The Kachchawahas ruled drom Amber,
11-km from Jaipur, for seven centuries. With a history so old, it
is not unexpected that there is a lot of the past that can be
traced in its archaeological history. While many of the very early
structures have either disappeared or been ruined, those dating
from the 16th century on are in a remarkable state of
preservation.
Construction & Architecture Of Amber Fort
Amber as it exists now is the handiwork of three of the kingdom's
rulers that include Man Singh, army commander of Mughal Emperor
Akbar in 1592, and Jai Singh I and II. IT is a classic fusion of
Mughal and Hindu architecture, built in red sandstone and white
marble.
Amber had reason to be concerned since its history had seen
skirmishes with other Rajput kingdoms, and had at various times
faced the armies of the sultans of Gujarat, the Marathas, and the
Mughals. No wonder its architecture, like that of other Rajput
palaces, consists of narrow passages and staircases that can be
defended by a single swordsman, ridged ramps to allow the cavalry
to move within the fortifications, high walls that cannot be
easily scaled, and windows at only the highest levels. While the
exterior is forbidding, the interiors are lavished with decoration
since the Royals, and especially the women, spent almost all their
time within the fortified palaces.
INSIDE ATTRACTIONS OF THE AMBER FORT
The palace or the royal apartments lies inside the massive Amber
fort complex with gateways, gardens, halls, stairways, pillared
pavilions, temples and palaces. Some of the noteworthy
architectural marvels in the complex are the 'Diwan-E-Khas', the 'Sheesh
Mahal' and the 'Jai Mandir' with exquisite mirror work, the 'Diwan-E-Aam',
the 'Sukh Niwas', the Shila Mata Temple and Kali temple and the
well laid out garden the 'Kesar Kyari'.
- Ganesh Pol
The emperors apartments lies on a higher terrace beyond a two
tiered decorative gateway, Ganesh Pol, covered with elegant
frescoes and pavilions having fascinating Jali or Lattice work
screens.
- Jai Mandir, Diwan- E- Khas
& Sheesh Mahal
The 'Jai Mandir' or "the Hall of Victory" has a glittering
ceiling with mirror pieces on stucco and elegant inlaid
panels. The 'Diwan- E- Khas', hall of private audience is
similar in ornamentation to Jai Mandir and the 'Sheesh Mahal',
hall of Mirrors known for its craftsmanship in mirrors, is the
most spectacular of the lot. Thousands of mirror pieces adorn
the walls and the ceiling that, any streak of light makes them
sparkle and illuminates the entire room.
- Dil-E-Aaram & Diwan-E-Am
The fort is entered through the 'Dil-e-Aaram' Garden, laid out
in the traditional Mughal style. An imposing flight of stairs
leads to the 'Diwan-E-Am' or "Hall of Public Audience", which
has latticed galleries and double row of columns each having a
capital in the shape of Elephants on the top.
- Kali Temple
To the right are steps that lead to the small Kali Temple.
Maharaja Man Singh was a great devotee of Goddess Kali and
prayed to the Goddess for victory during battles. The temple
has huge doors made of silver. The larger white marble Shila
Mata temple, has the image of Goddess Kali, brought by Raja
Man Singh from Jessore in East Bengal, now Bangladesh.
- The Zenana
The 'Zenana' or the Women's Apartments and frescoes depicting
Krishna Leela scenes surround a spectacular courtyard. There
are private chambers from where the royal women could watch
the proceedings of the royal court in privacy.
- Sukh Niwas
In front of the Jai Mandir is the 'Sukh Niwas' or "the hall of
pleasure" with a door made of sandalwood, inlaid with ivory
with a channel running through, which formerly carried cool
water acting as an air cooler.
The well-proportioned garden, Kesar
Kyari in the center of Maotha lake and the Dilaram Bagh at its
north end provide a spectacular view of the palaces.
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