from
Jaipur and was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of
Amber, before the capital was shifted in the plains to present day
Jaipur.
The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged
hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1952 and completed by Sawai Jai
Singh I the fort is made in red sand stone and white marble. The
rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful
fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic
fort- palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the
palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious
stones and mirror settings. In the foreground is the Maota Lake
providing a breathtaking look. Built mainly for the warring enemies
as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the
residents within the ramparts of the fort.
All
the means of survival & luxuries for the royal families and the
people who were concerned with the functioning of this small kingdom
of the Kachhawas were well provided. The Rajputs who had apparently
won a small structure passed on by Meena tribes, later on renovated
it into the grand Amber Fort. Holding a history so old as 7
centuries, this place vibrates with its legendry past, in the
archaeological history. Although many of the early structures have
been literally ruined but at the same time, those dating from the
16th century on are remarkably preserved by sincere
efforts.
fort has 4 sections; each with the premises
and one has to climb up through the imposing stairway or else the
broad aisle, where one can ride on the elephant back for royal feel.
The main gate Surajpol that leads to the Jaleb chowk,
which is the main courtyard from where one can walk up the stairway,
that leads to the palace. Jaleb Chowk was also the area where
returning armies were welcome and they would display their war
earnings to the population at large.
Before you enter the palace just towards the
right is a sleep aisle and a narrow staircase reaching up to Kali
Temple also called Shila Devi Temple famous for its
mysterious history and the huge silver lions. It is a gorgeous
temple featuring silver doors with raised relief. According to a
legend, Maharaja Man Singh I had worshiped the Goddess for a victory
over the rulers of Bengal. The Goddess appeared in the Maharaja's
dream and ordered him to recover her statue lying under sea near
Jessore (now in Bangladesh) and install it in a befitting Temple.
True enough, after subjugating the enemies the Maharaja recovered
the statute from the bed of the sea. The temple is called after
Shila Devi, "shila" meaning stone slab. Like all temples this too
has an image of Ganesha on the doorway, but carved from a single
piece of coral
