FORTS OF INDIA(Amber)
THE Amber Fort near Jaipur is situated on the summit of a hill that commanded the regions lying to the north and south and the narrow passage which joins these two. Its powerful and extensive walls and towers enabled its rulers to prepare themselves for defence from inside.
The palace of Amber was built by Raja Mansingh in 1600. To this Mirza Raja Jaisingh made several outstanding additions. The edifice built by Sawai Jai Singh, residence of the Kachhwaha princes, further added to its glamour and placed it beside the celebrated forts of Gwalior, Bundi and Udaipur. In 1728 he laid the foundation of Jaipur and connected it to the ancient castle of Amber. The Amber fort has entrances, known as Suraj Pol, Chand Pol, Singh Pol and Ganesh Pol. About the buildings of Amber, Percy Brown writes: 'Two halls within the large square are prominent. The Diwan-i-Am and Diwan- i-Khas clearly depicted the influence of Mughul court, particularly the Diwan-i- Am. Its double wall pillars, clusters of brackets, wide caves and high perforated parapet above, being reminiscent of the pavilion known as the Zenana Palace of Allahabad; the example at Amber having been most probably executed by masons trained in the Akbari style by Mughul overseers.' The hanging ^balconies, the long verandah and elabo rate carved brackets are interesting features of the palace. Its corridors leading to rooms were designed after Mughul pattern. Its terrace provides cool air and the court halls display impact of Mughul architecture on the buildings of Amber. All these constitute a kind of synthesis between Mughul and Rajput art.
