AMBER FORT...

AMBER FORT - PALACE. 

the magnificent delicate pink,

fort - palace of AMBER ,

(pronounced amer)

a beautiful, ethereal example of 

RAJPUT ARCHITECTURE, 

rises from a rocky mountain about 11 klm north of JAIPUR.

this is the 

FIRST VIEW 

from the auto.

i went early in the morning, 

before the heat of the day,

also, so 

 i could get an elephant ride to the top. 

it is a long walk.

and the elephants only are allowed by law to do a 

certain number of trips daily. 

this is the platform where the people get onto the metal basket, ready for the 

shaky trip to the entrance of the fort.

part of the elephant transport. 

part of the gardens at the base of the fort. 

view of elephants returning to the base. 

an old door to the entrance.

the ariel view of these gardens were beautiful. 

some japanese tourists, wearing turbans and having their 

photos taken.

magnificient painted arches and ceiling. 

DIWAN-I-AM

hall of public audience.

painted ceiling rose. 

JAI MANDIR

hall of victory.

this is noted for its inlaid panels and multi mirrored ceiling. 

patterns are made with coloured foil  and paint and then covered in glass.

at night this would have been light by candlelight and convex mirrors would glitter like stars. 

regrettably, much of the decoration was allowed to deteriorate during the 1970s and 80s.. but restoration of varying quality proceeds. 

this resortation work has now been COMPLETED,

and this i what you see today.

carved marble relief panels around the hall are fascinatingly delicate and quirky, with 

cartoon like insects and sinous flowers. 

peacocks carved into a jali screen.

there is a 

CAFE DAY 

at the for now.

i enjoyed an iced coffee with a great view. 

look at the huge 

BEEHIVE 

below the standing area. 

one of two huge metal containers. 

looking back to the fort, as 

i walked down. 

fishermen catching their daily allowance in the forts lake.

colourful umbrellas for purchase. 

in case you didn't bring an umbrella or a hat. 

AMBER was the ancient capital of 

JAIPUR 

construction of the fort, was begun in 1592 by 

MAHARAJA MAN SINGH. 

the rajput commander of AKBAR'S army.

it was later extended by the 

JAI SINGHS 

before the move to jaipur.

i enjoyed the trip to 

AMBER FORT

 on my last few days in jaipur. 

thought i'd do a TOURIST THING. 

i had gone about 1 month prior to the 

SOUND N LIGHT SHOW.

the fort was a spectular sight with specially placed lights. 

this is my last blog of my 2015 - 2016 

trip to india.