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Amber Fort
Amber is located at a distance of 11
kilometers from Jaipur and was the old fort of the Kachhwaha clan of Amber,
which used to be the capital, till it was moved to Jaipur.
The construction of the Amber Fort began in the year 1592 and was started by Man
Singh I, but it was finished by his descendant Jai Singh I. The exterior of the
Fort is not in the least like its interiors. The outside is very imposing and
rugged looking whereas the inside is a comforting and warm interior which is
influenced by both Hindu and Muslim style of ornamentation. On the walls, are
paintings depicting various hunting scenes, and there is also a lot of work on
walls, which are covered with intricate carving, mosaic and minute mirror work
that make the halls look very majestic and imperial.
The fort is built with white marble and red sandstone and look even more
attractive because of the Maota Lake in the foreground. The fort in itself is a
beautiful sight to behold but as one looks on the fort with its clear reflection
on the lake in the front, one cannot help but wonder if it is a dream or a
beautiful illusion.
Amber Fort also called the Amer Fort is a must-see if you are visiting
Rajasthan. The tourists to this fort can either approach the fort by road or
take an elephant ride, which though is quite slow yet is a lot of fun.
If you are in Rajasthan, do not miss the opportunity to tour the Amer Fort,
which is one of the important forts of the city and one of the major attractions
of Jaipur.
Hawa
Mahal
Fact File
Built in 1799
Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
Location Jaipur (Rajasthan)
Introduction
How often have we been told not to build castles in the air? Very often indeed,
but if you are a dreamer and wish to see this 'palace of the winds' which is not
just in your imagination but a real palace, then come to the 'pink city' of
Rajasthan and see the Hawa Mahal. Each wall of the palace reinforces the idea
that 'dreams truly can come true', and the whole structure is such a beautiful
sight that you possibly cannot describe it in words.
The Hawa Mahal, which adjoins the famous City Palace wall, was built in 1799 by
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and has now become one of the major landmarks of
Jaipur. The palace is shaped like a pyramid and is a five-storied building, with
number of small windows and screens, with arched roofs. As one looks at this
building, one realizes that the rear side of the building is comparatively very
plain and lacks much of ornamentation. One is rather surprised at the contrast,
since in the front there is intricate carving and much attention has been paid
to even minute details yet the backside is more a mass of pillars and passages.
Since the Hawa Mahal was built at a time when women of the royal families had to
observe strict purdah, many believe that the Hawa Mahal was built, just so these
ladies could watch the processions and various activities taking place on the
streets. This does explain why Hawa Mahal has such tiny windows and many
screened balconies. The royal ladies could look below at the people without
showing themselves and thus enjoy a sense of freedom.
The Hawa Mahal is a great example of the Rajputana architecture, which was
strongly influenced by Mughal style of architecture. This particular style of
building that we observe in Hawa Mahal, uses the best features of Mughal
architecture with other features that could better adapt to the inhospitable
weather conditions of Rajasthan.
The Hawa Mahal is a popular place among visitors to Rajasthan because of the
amazing view it offers of the city and particularly Jantar Mantar (another
tourist attraction). Many insist that the best time to visit Hawa Mahal is in
the early morning, right when the sun is rising. As the palace bathes in the
golden light of the sun, it looks like a fantastic image conjured up by the mind
in a trance. The palace glows like an impalpable dream, which makes you feel
that even if you dare blink your eyes, it will quickly dissolve into thin air.
If you want to see this beautiful palace up close, then pack your bags and come
to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and spend your holidays visiting Hawa Mahal
and other numerous tourist attractions in an around the city
Jaisalmer Fort
Its simply a magic, the bastions envelops a whole
townships that consist of palace complex various security sources and the
havelis of rich merchants carved with an incredibly light touch, several
temples and the residential complexes of the armies and traders placed
strategically on the trade route, from where the ancient caravans passed
en-route passing all the riches for the prosperity to an otherwise non source
full kingdom.
The golden - yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer Fort, over 800 years old, crowns
the Trikuta Hill. Within its walls, defended by 99 turrets, lies the old city,
nearly a quarter of modern Jaisalmer. Seen from outside, the sight must be
almost identical to what was seen by merchants on their overland camel
caravans to central Asia. Once this desert outpost was an important gate for
the trade route, and Jaisalmer grew wealthy on the proceeds. But the advent of
commercial shipping relegated the town to relative obscurity.
The colourful art forms and some how side kind the royal heritage and made it
appear more pale in comparison . The craftsmen were usually muslims who were
induced on their journey to exhibit their skills. The results was
architectural purity that cannot be seen elsewhere. Deep in the heart of the
Thar Desert is Jaisalmer, one of the last princely bastions in the region.
Founded on what was the cross - road of lucrative trade routes, this remote
settlement came to be celebrated for the valour of its rulers, and for the
aesthetic sense represented by their palaces and havelis.
Chittaurgarh
Fort
The fort is a treasure house of history and historical monuments the approach
to the fort is very difficult, the one mile steep serpentine thoroughfare is
exhaustive and the fort is reached through huge seven pols of gates, which are
in fact the strong points having a watch tower and massive iron spiked doors.
A standing sentinel to the courage and valor of Chittaurgarh, it stands tall
over a 180 meter high hillock covering a massive area of 700 acres. The fort
is belileved to have been built by the Maurya rulers in 7th century AD. It was
ravaged thrice, and each time phoenix-like it rose again Allaudin Khilji was
the first to sack Chittaur in 1303, legend and history corroborate that this
was because of his passionate desire to abduct Rani Padmini. Yet she preferred
death to dishonor, and committed Jauhar (self immolation) along with the other
ladies of the court.
Chittaurgarh was plundered again in 1535 by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and
finally by the Moghul Emperor Akbar, in 1567, in an attempt to subdue Maharana
Udai Singh. The fort is approached through massive pols of gates. Near Bhairon
Pol, is a cenotaph or 'chhatra' in honor of the chivalrous Jaimal and his
cousin Kala, who laid down their lives whilst defending Chittaur against the
Mughals. Jaimal who was seriously wounded, but was not ready to die in his bed
, thus he was carried into battle on the shoulders of his cousin Kala , both
of them died while showing exemplary courage.
Junagarh Fort
It is an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Built in 1593
A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most distinguished generals in the army of
Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat. One of
the most imposing forts of Northern India-- Junagarh Fort has remained
unconquered till date. This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most
able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh.
The main entrance to the fort is Karan Pol [gate], that is east facing. Next
to it is the Suraj Pol meaning the sun gate. The fort situates in it some very
magnificent palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of
pleasure. The Har Mandir is the majestic chapel for the royal family for
worshipping their gods and goddesses. These palaces, constructed in red
sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies,
kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure. The premises also houses a
museum which is an array of a rich collection.
A high wall and deep moats surround the fort. The 37 bastions guard the fort
and only two gates provide the access inside the fort. The Suraj Pol or the
Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort. The Junagarh Fort has defied all
the attacks except for the brief stint by Kamaran who captured the fort but
was unable to retain his victory more than 24 hours. Inside the fort is a
profusion of 37 palaces, temples and pavilions that are marvels in red
sandstone construction. The palaces have exquisitely carved windows,
balconies, towers and kiosks.The mirrors, paintings and carved marble panels
in the Moon Palace are a treat for eyes. The Phool Mahal or Flower Palace was
adorned with glasses and mirrors. The victory over Aurangzeb was celebrated by
building the Karan Mahal.
Mehrangarh Fort
Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent
fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 but subsequent rulers of
Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries. A meandering road leads to
the from the city 5 kms below. Battle scars of canon ball hit by attacking
armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate.
To the left is chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot
while defending the fort against the armies of Amber. There are seven gates,
which include Jayapol meaning victory built by Maharaja Man Singh to
commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies.
Fattehpol also meaning victory gate was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark
the defeat of Mughals. And Lohapol meaning iron gate has a moving memorabilia
on palm print of the queens of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves on his
funeral pyre in an act of sati [self-immolation]. The palm imprints still
attract devotional attention and are covered by vermilion paste and paper-thin
silver foil.
This is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan and certainly the best layed
out. In the palanquin section of the fort museum, you can see an interesting
collection of old royal palanquins including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol
palanquin, which was won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The
museum exhibits the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings and
decorated period rooms.
PHOOL MAHAL The grandest of Mehrangarh's period rooms, the Phool Mahal was in
all likely hood a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure dancing girls once
swooned in exhaustion here under a ceiling rich in gold filigree. The Phool
Mahal was created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724-1749) and the gold came from
Ahmedabad in Gujarat as war booty after his famous victory over the rebellious
Mughal governor, Sarbuland Khan. The paintings, royal portraits and the
ever-popular raga mala, came much later, in the reign of Jaswant Singh II.
JHANKI MAHAL The Jhanki Mahal, from where the royal ladies watched the
official proceedings, in the courtyard, today houses a rich collection of the
royal cradles. The cradles are decorated with gilt mirrors and figures of
fairies, elephant and birds.
Lake Palace
The Lake Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, arising out
of the Turquoise Waters of the Pichola like an elegant fantasy in white
marble. The palace was built in the 17th century on a natural foundation of 4
acers of rock. It was initially called Jaginwas after its founder Maharana
Jagjit Singh,
The Maharana, ruler of Jaipur from 1628 to 1654, was very friendly with Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan and encouraged his craftsmen to copy some of the glories of
his incomparable buildings at Agra. The successive rulers used this cool haven
as their summer resort, holding their regal durbars in its courtyards. These
courtyards lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens all
add to its impressive image.
The rooms are decorated with cusped arches, inland stones of pink, and green
lotus leaves and painted mirrors. apartments like the Bada Mahal, Kush Mahal,
Ajjan Niwas, Phool Mahal and Dhola Mahal. The Lake Palace is located on the
Jag Niwas Island and covers the whole of 1.5 hectare of the island in the
middle of the Pichola Lake.
Built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743 it was meant as a royal summer palace
and now converted in to a five star palace hotel. It is a magical palace and
its image in the middle of the lake is like a leaf straight out of a fairy
tale book with an excellent taste of intricate craftsmanship and the ethnic
themes using the textiles and handicrafts all over highlight the beauty that
is simply beyond compare the lake around makes a pleasant murmur with its
rippling waves and lapping that adds to the mesmerising moments.
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India Tour
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