### Jaipur’s Amber Palace: A Title Wrought with Wonder

Amber Palace, also known as Amer Fort, is located beautifully in the hilly region on the outskirts of Jaipur in Rajasthan. This glorious fortress which was built in the 16th century has elements of both Rajput and Mughal architecture under one soul and is thus a showcase of the cultural richness of the area. The Amber Palace is not just a historical monument with intricate works, magnificent floors, and breathtaking sights, but an indicator of the art and designing prowess of the people behind it.

#### AGLANCE IN THE PAST

Previously known as Amber or Amer, it was the capital city of the princely state of Rajasthan, before the establishment of the city of Jaipur. The foundations of the Amber Palace were first laid in the year 1592 during the reign of Raja Man Singh, the foremost general of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Expansion and renovation work continued even after the palace was complete. Raja Jai Singh I is the most notable ruler who undertook extensive additions to the structure.

#### Architectural Beauty.

The Amer Palace ‘s architecture is a wonderful blend of Hindu and Mughal forms. The red sandstone and white marble punctuated by detail and elaborate mosaic depicts the art of that era. The structure consists of four major sections, each with one courtyard; it is also a tangle of corridors, ramps, staircases and other passages that will delight the visitors.

#### The Highlights

1. Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience): This elaborate looking hall which is held up with beautifully designed pillars was the place where the king appeared before his subjects for public meetings. Diwan-i-Aam is a structure which is open in nature and depicts the administrative processes and polices of activities and functions of the past society.

Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) - The Diwan-i-Khas is a hall that was used for intimate meets of the royalty along with their aides and dignitaries. The hall is beautifully decorated with mirrors and fine paintings. The beauty of the hall also denotes the lavishness of the regal family.

Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) – Sheesh Mahal is among the most adorable looking sections of Amber Palace and it is an astonishing room full of small mirrors. The light bouncing off the walls when the room is candle lit, makes million small mirrors come alive, and the entire room glows as though the sky is full of tiny stars.

Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure) – This part of the Rajput palace is the place designed for quiet and relaxation. It has an air cooling system that uses water feed pipes fitted in the wall structure that depicts the engineering of the period. The refreshing air and the gentleness of the water in the retreat of Sukh Niwas made a cordial escape from the interior of the hot region of Rajasthan.

Ganesh Pol (Ganesh Gate): This beautifully carved and pillared gateway is enhanced with fresco and sculpture artwork and it opens up to the royalty quarters of the Maharaj’s. The gate is called Ganesh Pol since there is an image of Lord Ganesh the god of beginnings and also success painted above the entrance to the gate.

Maota Lake: The Jewel

One of the most beautiful sights over the Amber Fort is the Maota Lake, which was the primary water supply tank for the fort. The lake is an aesthetic enhancement to the fort as well as it offers a lovely view of the palace like a mirror. There is a garden called Kesar Kyari which has five pointed star shaped flower beds in the centre of the lake enhancing the beauty of the place.

The Chronicle of Jai Mandir

One more fascination of the Amber Palace is the Jai Mandir, also referred to as the Hall of Victory. This stunning hall is appreciated mostly due to its splendid ceiling which is constructed by the use of mirrors and stone inlays. The ceiling and walls are complemented with soft petal designs that show the skill and work of the artists. The Jai Mandir also provides an excellent elevated view of the hills and the fort complex which makes it a location that all tourists should visit.

The Most Interesting Underground Tunnels

The Amber Palace has a very intricate design with interconnecting underground passageways that link the palace to the Jaigarh Fort. During revolts, these passages acted as escape passages as well as a protective passage for the royal family and it’s entourage to travel between the two places. The existence of such tunnels is a clear indication of the fort’s strategic advantage and the intelligent design of its walls.

The Light and Sound Show

In order to make the history of the Amber Palace more relatable, a most perceivable light and sound show is put on ever so often in the evenings. The audience is told such stories that every such fort contains cowardice, bravery, love and passions, decorated with lights, which mostly light up the fort in question. These are all meant to enhance the sense of appreciation of the visit beyond the physical structures and the fort itself into the history and the people who lived there.

The Cultural Legacy

Amber Palace is more than just a structural perfection, it also incorporates a cultural value. The fort is a great site since it has withstood so many historical occurrences and influenced the history of the state of Rajasthan. The designs in the interior, exteriors and class of the palace show how cultured the area is and the great skill of the artisans.

The Experience of Visiting Amber Palace

Going to Amber Palace is like taking a bus into the past. Majestic gates of the fort, large open spaces, richly decorated rooms ignite imaginations to the extent of Rajput’s magnificence. The palace is also so radiant that one can even envision the faint sounds of royalty walking around, the presence of the king and queen, and their extravagant lifestyle.

To start with, one of the most adventurous, fun filled and enticing activities at the Amber Palace is the elephant ride along the winding cobbled pathway leading to the entrance of the fort. This mode of transport makes it easy for the tourists to live, at least for sometime, the royalty up on the hills and has the added benefit of taking in the sights of the encompassing countryside. For those who would wish to be less sentimental, such riders may take jeeps.

The Preservation Efforts

With each passing year, more sounds preservation and restoration attempts have been directed to restoring within the Amber Palace. Considerable repairs have been made by the Archaeological Survey of India locked and other various protecting bodies to restore as well as to repair the damage done by nature of the fort to its construction and decoration respectively. These measures will help ensure that this treasure of history is very history is not only made but also quite able to be seen by years come.

Amber Palace in Popular Culture

In the present day, Amber Palace is included in the social systems. Several movies, documentaries, television sitcoms, have all espoused it beauty, all over the world. The captivating and beguiling structure of the fort appeals to many outsiders including cinema and photo camera persons.

The Impact of Amber Fort

Amber Fort is not just a place for sightseeing in Rajasthan. It represents the fascinating past and cultural practices of the state. The fort is a testimony to the outstanding architectural, artistic and military skills of the Rajputs. It illustrates an era of kith and kin, of love and valour, of conquests and rejoicings, of high-born class and fine crafts.

Conclusion

Jaipur's Amber Palace is another cinematic tour de force that charms with as well as its quick departs since it is enthralling. It has elaborate structures, wide courts and picturesque views, which depict how opulent the life of akbar jaipur rajputs was. So much stories are embedded in the aura of the place, quite a fine palace isn’t it. A travel to the Amber Palace is not simply the exploration of a historical building primarily, it is a deeper act which involves delving into the splendid past of Rajasthan.