A view of the Amber Fort (11 kms from Jaipur). Amber is the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort palace began in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh. It was later completed by Jai Singh before he moved to Jaipur in the plains below. The fort is built in red sandstone & white marble. It has interesting apartments the likes of which are found only in Jaipur. An imposing stairway leads to the Diwan-I-Am or Hall of Public Audiences. Painted scenes of war adorn the walls of the Fort with precious stones & mirror set into the plaster.
Another view of the fort. In the center is the entrance to main fort. Tourists take an elephant ride from ground level to the fort. In this picture they move from left to right to enter the fort.
In front of the fort is the Maota Lake with beautiful reflections of the Amber Fort-Palace. In the background you see a number of tourist vehicles. What you in the center of the picture is a multi level garden. In the summers it is cooling to sit such a beautiful garden.
This is a starting point to reach the fort. At a distance you can see the elephants that tourists use to reach the fort. You can walk up to the fort too.
Tourists on their way up enjoying the elephant ride.
A bird’s eye view of the entrance into the main fort. What you see in the center is the entrance through which we entered.
It is a virtual mela (festival) when all the elephants reach the fort as you can see.
What you see is the Diwan-I-Am or Hall of Public Audiences.
A closer of the main Hall of Public Audiences structure, note the intricate carvings.
What you see is the Jai Mandir or Hall of Victory is known for its inlaid panels and glittering mirror ceiling.
A view of the Jai Mandir, note the walls & the ceiling.
Mirror ceiling of Jai Mandir.
Inlaid panels & mirror ceiling of Jai Mandir.
Another inlaid panel.
A beautiful painting. The old township of Amber lies at the foothills of the Amber Fort and has an old world charm, a character of its own. Jagat Shiromani temple, Narsingh temple and Panna Meena Ki Baodi are some of the places of an old world atmosphere worth visiting.
Above the Amber Fort lies the Jaigarh Fort or Fort of Victory. Taken from Jaigarh fort this picture shows you Amber fort below. (to the right of the picture). Situated in the north of Jaipur, the Jaigarh Fort has more or less same structure as of Amber Fort and provides some excellent view of the city of Jaipur and the Amber Fort.
Above Amber is older imposing Jaigarh Fort. Built in 1726 by Jai Singh it was never captured and so has survived virtually intact through the centuries. The fort, with its water reservoirs, puppet theatre and cannon Jayvan is a must see. Here is a view of the fort. Whenever the flag flies high it indicates the Maharaja is in the fort as you can see at the end of the picture. The water that you see is the Maota Lake in front of Amber fort.
The fort was never captured and so has survived virtually intact through the centuries. The museum inside the fort has an awesome collection of Rajput artifacts and weaponry. What you see is the flag of the Maharaja of Jaipur.
Another view of the fort. It is clean and well maintained.
This signboard tells us about ‘Jayvan’ the world’s largest cannon on wheel. It was produced under the rule of Sawai Jaisingh in 1720 at a local factory. Its weighs 50 tons. The length of the Nal or cannon is twenty feet. Wheels are nine feet high. You need to fill the cannon once with 100 kgs of barood or explosives.
A view of the cannon. It is kept under a roof to protect it from Mother Nature.
A front view of the cannon.
A rear view of the cannon.
A local shopkeeper selling potato chips & biscuits. Please thank Navin for taking great pains to click these pictures for esamskriti.
Jaipur has three main forts Amber, Jaigarh & Nahargarh. While the first two are close to each other with Jaigarh being higher than Amber the third fort is a short distance away which was made to bolster the defence of Amber. When seen from a height it seems there were a series of contiguous mountains. In fact while driving there is a common road after which you turn right to Jaigarh and left to Nahargarh. What you see is entrance to Amber Fort. On the left of the picture you can see fort wall. Similar fort walls extended for long distances on the mountain.
Clicked this picture from the base of Nahargarh fort. You can see a huge rock in front with fort wall on the top and left side of the picture. Also catch a child flying a kite. See Nahargarh fort by night because you get a great night view of the city. Am told Rajasthan Tourism has a city tour of Jaipur by night that ends with dinner at Nahargarh fort all for a princely sum of Rs 200/.
Entrance to Nahargarh Fort. It is located on the sheer rugged ridge of Aravali Hills and it forms an impressive northern backdrop of Jaipur. It looks most classy when floodlit at night. The fort overlooks the city and presents a glittering view of the city lights. It was built in 1734 and extended in 1868. Nahargarh meaning abode of the tigers was built by Jai Singh to bolster the defence of Amber. The legend also have it that it was named Nahargarh after Nahar Singh a prince whose spirit would destroy the construction and not allow its progress further. So after a tantrik prayer to the spirit it agreed to leave on condition that the fort is named after him.
What you see is Madhavendra Bhawan, built by Sawai Ram Singh II has uniquely a cluster of 12 identical suits for queens and at the head is a suit for the king himself. The rooms are linked by corridors and retain some delicate frescos as well as toilets and kitchen hearths. It was used by members of the royal family for excursion in summers and is now even a favored picnic spot.
Entrance to one of the queen`s palaces. On the left of the picture is my only queen ie wifey Aparna.
You see wifey and cousin Sunita Didi next to one of the many canons that are displayed at the entrance to the queens ka palace. Didi took time off from work and showed us Jaipur, we cannot imagine the trip without her. Just above is a Durg Cafeteria where you get hot bhajiya and garam chai.
Jaipur city view from atop the fort. City seems to be expanding and expanding.
You see the Surya Mandir ie on the way to the fort.