Amber fort


Amber fort It is situated 11 km from Jaipur. It was once the ancient capital of Jaipur State. Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army started the construction of the fortress palace was in 1592. The fort was later extended and completed by the Jai Singh. Located on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts, the fort is an excellent example of Rajput architecture While many of the early structures have either disappeared or ruined, those dating from the16th century on are in a remarkable state of preservation. Amber as it exists now is the handiwork of three of the kingdom's rulers that include Man Singh, and Jai Singh I and II. Entrance is through the grand Singh Pol gateway and continuing to Jaleb Chowk, the courtyard where they disembark from the pachyderm. From here, they are faced wit two flights of steps, one leading to Shila Mata mandir (temple) with its enshrined image of the goddess, and the other to the main palace complex Within the complex, Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with images of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh, takes pride of the place. Also a part of the complex is the Diwan-i-Am or hall of the public audience with its spectacular display of pillars. We can view the typical merging of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles is captured in the Sukh Nivas and Jas Mandir apartments, and the Charbagh garden with its perfectly proportioned landscaping. A highlight is the pierced screen windows which offer views form points of vantage, as well as the shimmering mirrors encrusting the walls of the Sheesh Mahal. Several other gardens and pavilions within the sprawling spread of ramparts offer enough scope for investigating medieval lifestyles at leisure.