This magnificent fort was built not by one but three rulers
- Raja Man Singh initiated the project. Mirza Raja Jai Singh
took over the cudgels from Raja Man Singh and the finishing
touches were given by Sawai Jai Singh. This colossal fort
took as long as two centuries to build, the major portion
of the work was carried out in the 1500's.
The Amer Fort stands like a sentinel above the still waters
of the Maotha Lake. The fort is a living testimony where the
Hindu and Mughal architectural styles have merged in complete
harmony to create a masterpiece of fusion architecture. In
the days of yore, the Amer Fort used to be a palace, an administrative
headquarter as well as a strategic military bastion.
One of the best ways to reach this imposing fort is by an
enchanting elephant ride. Once inside, the fort reveals its
majestic grandeur like a veil slipping from the face of a
beautiful woman replete with medieval courtyards, exquisite
temples, enchanting pavilions and gardens that seems to be
a replica of Eden on earth.
The interiors of the fort has an amazing array of painted
engravings and its parapets are adorned with intricate mirror
and stone works. The initial courtyard of the fort is flanked
by two stupendous edifices - Diwan-E-Aam built of red sandstone
and the marvelous Ganesh Pol Gate. Further ahead, an array
of walkways beautifully surround an archetypal Mughal garden
around which there is the Sukh Niwas and on the other side
is the Jas Mandir. However, the centerpiece of attraction
is the magnificent Sheesh Mahal which is replete with ornate
mosaics, tinted mirror and glass embellishments all of which
makes it a place of stunning beauty.
The Fort's in-house Kali temple popularly referred to as
the Shila Devi Temple is shrouded in mystery. The temple is
conspicuous by its awesome silver doors and silver lions.
There is also the Zenana or the Women's Palace which has exclusive
enclosures or chambers that are linked by a general walkway.
The zenana is shrewdly designed to provide utmost seclusion
and solitude to the Maharaja's queens.
The Fort also has remnants of its rich past and the oldest
of ruins dates back to the 16th century. The fort can be divided
into four segments and there are two ways of reaching - one
is by climbing the daunting flight of steps and the other
is by riding on elephant back through the expansive passageway.
The intriguing Jaleb Chowk is the central courtyard and in
the days of yore the victorious royal armed forces were received
and greeted here and presented their war booty to the general
public.
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for Rajasthan Forts and Palaces. For more information or to
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