Diwan-e-am at Amber
The concept of the Diwan-e-Am or “Hall of Public Audience” was not limited merely to the Mughals. The Rajputs employed the same concept too. This is the Diwan-e-Am in the Amber Fort, which sits in the main entrance way of the palace of Maharaja Man-Singh, perched high above the rest of Jaipur. A popular destination [...]
The Courtyard of Jahangir’s Palace
Jahangir was the fourth Mughal Emperor and son of Emperor Akbar, whose reign was cut short. His reign lasted a mere 8 months. Jahangir was not one of the greatest health, his body having taken the toll of a number of less than healthy choices in life. His death was the result of exposure to [...]
A condemned emperor’s view
To say that the Mughals had a bit of family conflict might come as a bit of an understatement. The ascension of several of the emperors typically followed a bloody struggle among brothers, or a son overthrowing a father. The latter was the case between Aurangzeb (the 7th Mughal emperor) and Shah Jahan (the 6th [...]
Jaigarh framed
I spent several years in the United States of America and have now lived for four years in Australia. Whenever, I mention to people that I’m from India, one of the most common reactions that I get from people is “you have such amazing colours!”. No other place in India is more colourful than the [...]
The Pearl Mosque
Somewhat of a misnomer, this…. this is the Moti Mahal which resides in the corner of Agra Fort. The Mughals came from Persia and were of Islamic faith. When they migrated to India, they brought their faith with them. As they became more powerful, they built their fortified cities, and within them, they built their [...]
Jaigarh
In the backdrop of the more famous Amber Fort lies the Jaigarh fort in Jaipur. This fort sits atop a hill that looks down upon the royal complex of the Amber Fort and is connected to its more illustrious cousin by an underground tunnel that was designed for the inhabitants of Amber to make good [...]
The Marble Cloister
Jaipur is one of the major stops along India’s Golden Triangle. One if its major drawcards is the Amber Fort – home of the Rajput kings from their glory days of the past. The fort is one of several fortified structures built on the Aravali hills and is linked via a tunnel to Jaigarh. This [...]
Jaisalmer Fort – the eastern wing
A quick one today – the view of the eastern wing of the Jaisalmer fort. Not much more to say, beyond the fact that its a living fort with over 4000 people living within… a fact that you will be able to more than make out as your approach this monument. Bookmark on Delicious Digg [...]
Khas Mahal
The Khas Mahal in New Delhi’s Red Fort is one of the best examples of the Mughal Architecture. Built by the fourth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this section of the Red Fort is cast together in white marble. The open plan layout of the living quarters is typical of Mughal architecture, with canals set within [...]
Amber Fort
Rajasthan is full of forts. The Rajputs spent a lot of their time fighting the Mughals in the 14th through 17th centuries. Some forts are not very nice to visit. The Amber fort, however, is one of the nicer forts to visit. Perched up on one of the many hills that make up the Aravalli [...]
Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest forts in the world. It is situated in Jaisalmer city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from where it derives it name. The fort stands proudly amidst the golden stretches of the great Thar Desert, [...]
