HERITAGE

JAIPUR – The Pink City of India ; A Royal Journey of Rajasthan 

         Welcome to Jaipur, the entrance to Rajasthan and a timeless city that blends royal heritage, vibrant culture, and modern charm. Known as the Pink City, Jaipur stands out with its stately palaces, colorful bazaars, and the unique hue of pink that covers its historic architecture. Jaipur is a place that never lets you down, whether you are interested in history, architecture, or cuisine and want to experience real Rajasthani sensations. A Look Back at History Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a visionary ruler who relocated his capital from Amber to accommodate a rising populace, established Jaipur in 1727. In contrast to the majority of medieval cities, Jaipur was the first planned city in India, designed on the ancient Hindu architectural principles of Shilpa Shastra and Vastu Shastra. At the time, its wide avenues and grid-like design were revolutionary

For what reason is Jaipur known as the "Pink City"?

To welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), the entire city was painted pink in 1876. Since then, the color pink has come to represent the friendliness and warmth of the city. In order to preserve its historic attractiveness, the old city is nevertheless legally obligated to keep its distinctive pink hue.

 

HAWA MAHAL

Jaipur Magnificent Iconic Landmark 

The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur is one of the city's most prominent attractions. The five-story structure resembles a beehive's honeycomb, and the numerous windows and jharokhas keep the interior windy. The palace's remarkable ventilation is why it was named the Hawa Mahal, which translates into the "Palace of the Winds." The major goal of building this palace was to allow the ladies of the royal family and the court to see the bustling streets of the Johari Bazaar from the palace's many jharokhas without being seen. The Hawa Mahal is a five-story building that is the world's highest structure built without a foundation. It boasts curved construction that leans at an 87-degree angle and a pyramidal structure that has kept it upright for millennia.

       

The Hawa Mahal is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The building's form is considered to resemble Krishna's crown. More than a palace, the Hawa Mahal is also a cultural and architectural marvel that reflects a truly harmonious amalgamation of the Hindu Rajput and Islamic Mughal architectural styles. The domes, canopies, and fluted pillars showcase the Rajput style, whereas the stone inlay filigree work and arches perfectly represent the Mughal style of architecture.

 

JAL MAHAL 

 Though the Jal Mahal means literally to "Water Palace," Maharaja Madho Singh I had no intention of using it as a palace when it was constructed. Rather, it was intended to serve as a hunting lodge for the monarch and his guests while they were hunting ducks. The palace, located in the centre of Jaipur's Man Sagar Lake, is still a well-liked destination for tourists. The Jal Mahal's symmetrical pink sandstone design is typical of Rajput architecture

There are a lot of people who visit the Jal Mahal from the banks of Man Sagar Lake, but not many of them are aware of the cutting-edge technology and ingenious architecture that went into the construction of this historic palace. Although it looks like it has just one floor, the palace actually has four submerged levels because its stone walls retain millions of litres of water, and the specially made lime mortar keeps water from seeping in—something it has done for more than 250 years.

HISTORY

Water used to collect in a natural depression that once stood where the lake is now. There was a catastrophic famine in this area in 1596 AD, which led to a serious water shortage. Therefore, the then-ruler of Amer was inspired to construct a dam to conserve water in order to alleviate the extreme suffering that the famine was causing to the local population. The eastern valley between the Amer and Amagarh hills was crossed by a dam that was first built out of soil and quartzite. 

Later, in the 17th century, the dam was transformed into a stone masonry construction.The dam, the lake, and the palace in the middle have since undergone multiple restorations under different Rajasthani rulers, but Jai Singh II of Amer is credited with the last renovation in the 18th century. Other historical and religious sites, like the Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Khilangarh Fort, and Kanak Vrindavan Valley, were also constructed in the area at this time. These locations are now connected by a roadworks tourist corridor. 

Constructed in the Rajput and Mughal architectural styles, which are popular in Rajasthan, the Jal Mahal palace is regarded as a work of architectural beauty. It offers a charming view of the surrounding Nahargarh (the tigers' home) hills and the lake (from the Man Sagar Dam on the lake's eastern side, which serves as a viewpoint for the lake and valley). When the lake is full, four levels of the five-story palace—which is made of red sandstone—remain underwater, leaving the top floor uncovered. The roof's rectangular Chhatri is a Bengali style.The Aravalli hills range, which includes the hills around the lake area northeast of Jaipur, are composed of quartzite rock formations with a thin layer of soil cover. In certain areas of the project area, surface rock exposures have also been used for building construction. From the northeast, the hills gently fall towards the lake's edge in the Kanak Vrindavan valley, which is home to a temple complex. The ground area around the lake is composed of alluvium, blown sand, and a thick layer of soil. Semi-octagonal towers with a graceful dome were erected at each corner of this a fortress. An expert in the field of similar architectural restoration projects of Rajasthani palaces carefully examined the designs that could decipher the originally existing designs on the walls after removing the recent plaster work because the restoration work done in the palace ten to fifteen years ago was not satisfactory. In light of this discovery, repair work was redone using conventional plastering materials. The organic material of a unique mortar mixture of lime, sand, and surkhi combined with jaggery, guggal, and methi (cummins) powder made up the plaster that was now in use.

 

AMER FORT

History of Amer Fort Jaipur – Rajasthan

Amber Fort, sometimes called Amer Fort (Hindi: अमेर किला), is a fort located in Amer, Rajasthan, India. The town of Amer is 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) in size and is situated 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from Rajasthan's capital, Jaipur. It is Jaipur's most popular tourist site and is perched high on a hill. Meenas constructed the town of Amer first, and Raja Man Singh (December 21, 1550–July 6, 1614) subsequently governed it. Amer Fort is renowned for its creative Hindu architectural features. The Amer Palace's primary water source, Maota Lake, is visible from the Fort's expansive ramparts, assortment of gates, and cobblestone walkways. The attractive, opulent building, which is made of marble and red sandstone, is divided into four levels, each of which has a courtyard. It includes the Diwan-i-Aam, also known as the "Hall of Public Audience," the Diwan-i-Khas, also known as the "Hall of Private Audience," the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), also known as the Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas, where winds blowing over a waterfall inside the royal palace create a trendy atmosphere.Thus the Amer Fort is also generally known as the Amer Palace. The palace was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas as well as their family. A temple to Shila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult, is located at the palace entrance next to the Ganesh Gate of the fort.

Raja Man Singh received it after defeating the Raja of Jessore, Bengal, in 1604. At the moment, Jessore is in Bangladesh. Immediately above on the Cheel ka Teela (Hillside of Eagles) of the same Aravalli hill range are this palace and Jaigarh Fort. Because they are connected by a tunnel, the palace and Jaigarh Fort are regarded as a one complex. In order to enable the royal family and other residents of the Amer Fort to relocate to the far more secure Jaigarh Fort during times of conflict, this corridor was designated as an escape route.

According to the Superintendent of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, there were 1.4 million visits to the Amer Palace in 2007, with 5,000 people every day. Amer Fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 along with five other forms of Rajasthan as part of the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan at the 37th session of the World Heritage Board, which was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Amer Palace is located about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, on a wooded hill promontory that juts into Maota Lake close to the village of Amer. The royal house is close to Delhi's National Freeway 11C. The Suraj Pol (Sun Gate), the fort's entry doorway, is reached by a small 4WD road. The narrow Sun Gate is used for elephant rides.

Early History of Amer Fort, Jaipur- Rajasthan

William Simpson's water color painting from around 1860 depicting the fort at Amer in Rajasthan In 967 CE, Raja Alan Singh, a member of the Chanda tribe of Meenas established the village at Amer. During the reign of Raja Man Singh, the Kachwaha King of Amer, the current Amer Fort was constructed on top of the remains of this previous building. Jai Singh I, his descendant, completely extended the structure. Over the course of the following 150 years, Amer Fort was further enhanced and expanded by succeeding monarchs until the Kachwahas moved their headquarters to Jaipur in 1727, under Sawai Jai Singh II.

Amer Fort is taken over by Kachwahas When Amber became Raja Kakil Dev's capital in 1036, he constructed the first Rajput building on the location of the present-day Jaigarh Fort in Rajasthan. The majority of Amber's current structures were built or enlarged in the 1600s, when Raja Man Singh I was in power. The Diwan-i-Khas at Rajasthan's Amber Palace and the intricately repainted Ganesh Poll, constructed by Mirza Raja Jai Singh I, are two of the principal structures.

The current Amer Royal Palace was built in the latter part of the 16th century as an addition to the monarchs' old residence. The older palace, known as Kadimi Mahal (ancient in Persian), is thought to be India's oldest surviving palace. The valley behind the Amer Palace is home to this historic palace. Known as Dhundar during the Middle Ages (after a sacrificial mount on the western boundaries), Amer was also ruled by the Kachwahas starting in the 11th century, from 1037 until 1727 AD, until the capital was relocated from Amer to Jaipur. Since they founded their empire in Amer, these regulations are inextricably linked to the history of Amer.

Entrance Timing of Amer Fort 

From 9:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening, the fort is open for visitors.

Elephant rides are offered from 9:30 in the morning until 1:00 in the  afternoon. After 7:30 p.m., the English light display begins, while the Hindi light show begins at 8 p.m.

 Entrance Fee and Charges of Amer Fort

Foreigner – Rs 550 per person

Foreign Students –Rs 100 per person

Indians –Rs 50 per person

Indian Students – Rs 10 rupees per person
Light Show in English – Rs 200 per person
Light Show in Hindi – Rs 100 per person
Elephant Ride – Rs 1100 p/person or per couple

Major attractions of Amer are

·        Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khaas, 

·        Ganesh Pol, Jaleb Chowk, 

·        Jai Mandir, Yash Mandir, Sukh Mandir, 

·        Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors),

·        Suhag Mandir, Shila Devi Holy Place, 

·        Bhool Bhulaiya, and Zanana Dyodhi

Elephant Ride in Amer

 Due to its hilltop location, there were two ways to reach the Amer Fort. One was for riding elephants, while the other was a walkway that preserved the hillside's raw, natural form while also using the rock approach. The walkway is now a specially designed set of recently installed cement stairs. For tourists, riding an elephant uphill seems like a cliché. However, experiencing the surroundings and going further into India is incredibly beneficial. In addition to providing a captivating view of Maotha Lake, the elephant ride offers a horizon perspective of the Pink city. Enjoying puppet show as well traditional songs. 

NAHARGARH FORT

 In 1734, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II constructed the Nahargarh fort to protect Jaipur city. This fort was first dedicated to Nahar Singh Bhomia and was known as Sudarshangarh. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1699–1743) constructed Diwane-e-Aam, a treasury and rest areas for soldiers; Maharaja Ram Singh II (1835–1880) constructed Hawa Mandir; and Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II (1880–1992) constructed Shri Madhvendhra Bhawan. This is where Awadh's Nawab Wazir Ali was imprisoned. The Man Palace, also called Shri Madhvendra Bhawan, is located in the fort. The monarch himself used one of the ten apartments in this two-story palace, while the other nine were constructed for his concubines. Excellent fresco paintings and arish work adorn the entire palace.

The ancient Nahargarh Fort was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur in the year 1734. He built this fort on the majestic Aravalli hills mainly as a retreat destination. The majestic Nahargarh Fort is hooked up to the famous Jaigarh Fort from end to end of its ramparts. According to legends, the edifice of Nahargarh fort was thwarted by the spirit of a Rathore prince named Nahar Singh Bhomia. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh discovered that the property in which he tried to raise the fort once belonged to a former Rathore prince named Nahar Singh and his spirit hated the unexpected commotion in his holy dwelling. Nevertheless, the spirit Nahar Singh Bhomia was satisfied when Jai Singh built a small fortress (at Purana Ghat) inside the fort and devoted that fort to the dead Rathore Prince. Later, a small temple was also built in that place. In 1868, King Sawai Ram Singh refurbished Nahargarh fort. Later, in 1880, Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh rehabilitated Nahargarh fort into a torrential rain run away. He ordered Raj Imarat (person who was in charge for stately building projects) to plan an enjoyment fortress within the fort. This amusement place named as Madhavendra Bhawan. Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, the architect of Jaipur, constructed Madhavendra Bhawan with fine-looking interiors, wall paintings and stucco patterns.

                        

 The incredible Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur was mainly used as recoil for royal family women. Referred as the Madhavendra Bhawan, the zenana was particularly cosntructred by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singhji. The chief magnetism of Nahargarh Fort is the Madhavendra Bhavan which was once the summer run away of the imperial household. If truth be told, the ladies quarters (known as Zenana deorhi) at the Nahargarh Fort were established to make an impression among the regal women. The splendid quarters that were created for the royal women extends up to the 4th of the quad. Each and every suite of the Zenana is a splendid portrayal of Rajputana sculpture and savor for sumptuousness. On the other hand, the “Mardana Mahal” at Nahargarh Fort served as the existing quarters of the noble men.

The fort was extended in 1868 during the reign of Sawai Ram Singh. In 1883-92, a range of palaces was built at Nahargarh by Dirgh patel at a cost of nearly three and a half lakh rupees. The Madhavendra Bhawan, built by Sawai Madho Singh had suites for the queens of Jaipur and at the head was a suite for the king himself. The rooms are linked by corridors and still have some delicate frescoes. Nahargarh was also a hunting residence of the Maharajas.

Awesome View of the Nahargarh Fort:

Although Jaipur's Nahargarh Fort overlooks the skyline during the day, it makes for a breathtaking sight at night when it is floodlit. However, most of this distinctive fort is been destroyed. Fortunately, the vast walls of the fort and the 19th-century decorations (along with the Maharajas' chambers) are in fine shape. The fort was thought to be protected by the large guns that were dispersed across the Hazuri Burj. Nonetheless, the field cannons were routinely fired to signal the hour since the city was never invaded by the military forces of neighboring Rajput or Mughal countries. The royal ladies liked to take leisurely walks here. Before Man Singh II moved the state's wealth to Moti Doongri in 1940, it was securely stored in the stronghold. Beautiful views of Man Sagar Lake, which features a lovely duck venetian blind in the center, may be seen from Nahargarh Fort. As a result, Nahargarh Fort provided a tranquil retreat for VIPs and imperial visitors who were asked to accompany the King on duck hunts. As a result, the old Maharajas' hunting lodge was another name for the magnificent Nahargarh Fort.

Nahargarh Biological Park:

Nahargarh Biological Park is one more tourist attraction that is placed in the environs of Nahargarh fort. This organic park is extended up to 7.2-sq-kms of the Nahargarh sanctuary (50-sq-kms). This park boasts fine granite and quartizite rocks. The plant life or flora of the province is mainly symbolized by the steamy dehydrated deciduous and humid spike jungles.