'Amber Palace, Jaipur, India' - by K J S Chatrath

The fortress cum palace was originally made from red and white sandstone way back in the 1550s. However, as and when different rulers ruled over the region, there were changes and betterment made to this palace over the next 150 years. This magnificent fort stands on a hillock overlooking Jaipur. Amber Palace is representative of a key phase (17th century) in the development of a common Rajput-Mughal court style, embodied in the buildings and gardens added to Amber by Mirza Raja Jai Singh-I. The palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam, or "Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas, or "Hall of Private Audience", the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. The palace was the residence of the Rajput Rajas. At the entrance to the palace near the fort's Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to Shila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult. Sheesh Mahal is the piece de resistence of the palace. Sheesh Mahal means the Palace of Mirrors. There are thousands of mirror tiles and colored glasses on its walls and ceiling. It is said that the palace’s mirrors would reflect the natural light from outside and illuminate everything inside. It is said that it could be illuminated entirely with just one candle. A UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Amber Fort popularly known as Amer Fort dates back to the 16th century. It is believed to have been named after the Goddess Amba, the Goddess of Earth & Fertility. the mighty fortress was originally created by Rajput Raja Man Singh -I. There are three ways to enter this Fort-cum-Palace. • A climb of steps that takes roughly 20 minutes – Entrance through Suraj Pol. • A ride on elephant (only till noon) – Entrance through Suraj Pol • By vehicle – Entrance through Chand Pol. (Write up with inputs from internet)

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