Jaipur

We departed the hotel at 0730 to be among the first visitors to the Amber Fort, also known as the Amber Palace.  It was built on the remains of earlier fortifications dating back over 1,000 years.  Several older forts are located within a short distance of the Amber Fort.  The Jaigarh Fort sits atop a hill overlooking the Amber Fort and the two are connected by tunnels and trenches to allow a covered retreat from the Amber Fort to the Jaigarh Fort if necessary.  The forts are immense.  The Jaigarh Fort is over 3 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide.  Walls run out from the fort along ridge lines and surround much of the hills and valleys.  Inside the walls of the Amber Fort is the oldest surviving palace in India, Kadimi Mahal.  The current Amer Palace dates back to the 16th Century.  Numerous courtyards are found within the fort as a result of continued expansion over the centuries.  Most of the material used in the construction was brick and sandstone.  The forts are truly imposing as they rise from the river's bank to the top of the small mountains lining the river valley.

Riding Like Royalty

Winding Our Way Up The Road To The Fortress and Palace Entrance

Road Leading to Sun Gate - Amber Fort

Jaigarh Fort Overlooking the Amber Fort

Inlaid Stone, Carved Stone and Frescos With Marble Floors

Diwan-i-Aam  (Public Audience Hall)

Jaigarh Fort

The Jal Mahal or Water Palace is located not far from the Amber Fort.  It was used as a royal retreat. 

Jal Mahal - Water Palace

After the Amber Fort, we went to observe how wood block stencil printing on cotton is being preserved as a craft and providing a means of support for farm families.  The growing season around Jaipur only lasts about 6 months.  The farmers are poor and to supplement their income, they are being taught the once disappearing craft of wood block stenciling on fabric.  It was amazing how these intricate patterns are created using natural dyes applied to the cloth with the wood stencils.  This work is carried out in numerous villages and the finished goods are sold through a cooperative.

Block Stencil Printing on Cotton

Farmers are also being taught how to create knotted rugs.  We had a demonstration of the steps in making rugs at the same location where the patterned fabric was being demonstrated.  We learned about various materials and techniques used to create Indian knotted rugs.  We also learned a little about the differences between Indian carpets and rugs made in other areas of the world such as Persia (Iran) and Turkey.  Carla has been considering purchasing a rug since our trip to Turkey a couple of years ago.  She pass on an opportunity to buy a rug in Morocco; but finally opened her wallet in Jaipur.  The photo does not do justice to the patterns or color of her purchase.

Carla's Carpet

Our next stop was the City Palace.  Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh decided to move his capital from Amber to Jaipur.  He laid out his new capital which was a planned city with streets intersecting at right angles and surrounded by fortified walls.  The capital moved from Amber to Jaipur in 1727.  The City Palace is open to the public with the exception of the areas retained for use by the royal family.  (Yes, India still has royals.)  It is located in the center of the old walled city and surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the still busy streets laid out centuries ago.  Efforts are being made to restore or retain the appearance of the area immediately around the palace as it once was with red stucco work.

An Entrance to the City Palace

Palace Guards at an Inner Courtyard Gate - City Palace

Our last stop of the day was Jantar Mantar which is a most amazing observatory.  Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was also an astronomer.  Astrology played an important role in a ruler's life as it did in the lives of most Indians then and today.  It was important to know how the stars were aligned at various points in time to help one make decisions on important matters such as who to marry and when or for a warrior king if and when to go to war.  According to our tour guide, many Indians still place great store in astrology and its implications.  There will be many marriages this week because of the astrological conditions.  Several marriage gardens are within blocks of our hotel and it is obvious they will all be filled for the next few days with numerous weddings taking place.  The world's largest sundial is located in Jaipur.  It is accurate to within two seconds.  There are even moon dials here to provide the time during nights when the moon is bright enough to cast a shadow on the dials.  It is utterly amazing that this observatory was built during the early 18th Century.

World's Largest Sundial - Jantar Mantar

Hawa Mahal - Palace of the Winds