By Somali K Chakrabarti

“Sublime wonders lie in store,

I am shown a regal residence;

a mighty kingdom, an empire

with more grandeur than before …” – E.A. Bucchianeri, Poetry for the Phantom of the Opera

Forts and palaces never fail to fascinate me. These rare examples of architecture offer a glimpse into the past grandeurs and reveal many a story of kings and their kingdoms, the wars they fought, the courts they held, and the way they lived.

Here are some pictures and photographs from the 19th century that capture the oriental magnificence of the historic forts and palaces of Rajasthan.

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Amber Fort, ca 1860

Amber Fort, part of Raj mahal & Maota Lake, watercolours by William Simpson ca.1860

Eleven kilometres to the north of Jaipur, is the town of Amber.

The impressive fort and the palace complex, on a hill overlooking the Maota Lake was built at Amber, in the late 16th century by Akbar’s famous general, Raja Man Singh (ruled 1592- 1614). Alterations and additions to the palace structures continued throughout the 17th century and beyond, until the fort was finally abandoned in 1727.

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Ganesh Pol, Amber Palace, ca 1872

Ganesh Pol in Amber from ‘Photographs of Architecture and Scenery in Gujarat and Rajputana’ taken by Colin Murray in ca.1872.

The fort-palace of Amber is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, combining Hindu artistic elements with Mughal styles. Elaborate gates, and a number of courtyards and temples can be found in the fort and palace. Ganesh Pol or Elephant Gate is the gateway to the royal apartments that are built around a garden. It derives its name from the painted panel of the god Ganesha (the Lord who removes obstacles), above the entrance arch.

Sheesh Mahal, Amber Palace, ca 1885

Interior view of Sheesh Mahal, Amber Palace. Photograph by Lala Deen Dayal ca.1885

Mirrorwork was inlaid in intricate patterns on the walls and ceilings, and coloured glass set into arched niches and window frames. The Mughal influence was apparent in the floral and geometric designs contained in arch-shaped indents, a style that had evolved under the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (r.1628-58).

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Chandra Mahal, City Palace, Jaipur ca.1870

Chandra Mahal or Moon Palace, Jaipur. Photograph by by Bourne and Shepherd in the 1870s

The City Palace is situated in the centre of the city of Jaipur. Surrounded by gardens and courtyards, and enclosed by a high wall, the palace dates from 1727 with later additions. The palace has the screened balconies and a roof-top pavilion, and a symmetrical design which is characteristic of the city as a whole.

The Chandra Mahal (c.1727-34) is the earliest and most important part of the city palace.

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Gateway, City Palace, Jaipur ca.1895

Gate way in the palace at Jaipur in Rajasthan. Photograph taken by Lala Deen Dayal, in the 1890s

The arched entrance gateway leading to the Chandra Mahal is covered with floral, geometric and figurative designs.

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Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, by Samuel Bourne ca.1860

. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, ca.1895

Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds. Photograph by G.W. Lawrie and Company ca.1895

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The Hawa Maha l is one of the most iconic buildings in Jaipur. It was built in 1799, as an addition to the existing City Palace . The building has a five-storey, curved façade composed of a multitude of window bays each topped with an arch or dome.

The purdah screen formed by lattice work designs of the windows allowed ladies of the court in the zenana or women’s living quarters to observe the outside world and enjoy the flow of fresh air, without being seen.

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Deeg Fort in Rajasthan, ca.1895 Photograph of Dig Fort in Rajasthan, taken by Raja Deen Dayal & Sons in the 1890s Deeg is a small town which was once the summer retreat of the rulers of Bharatpur 22 kms away. Deeg was established as the first capital of Bharatpur State by the Jat ruler Badan Singh (ruled 1722-33). The fort was built by his son Suraj Mal in 1730. Twelve massive bastions reinforce the fort walls. This view shows the Lakha Burj at the north-west corner, the largest of twelve bastions, and the moat which encircles the fort. Suraj Mal (ruled 1755-63) later shifted the capital to Bharatpur while filling Deeg with pleasure palaces, where the chieftains could take a break from skirmishes,with the neighbouring Rajputs and the Mughal empire that had begun to decline. . Gopal Bhawan, Water Palace, Deeg, ca.1885 Photograph of Gopal Bhavan at Deeg in Rajasthan, taken by Raja Deen Dayal in the 1880s

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The garden palace of at Deeg has pavilions set around Mughal-style gardens filled with water features, fed by two reservoirs, the Gopal Sagar to the west and the Rup Sagar to the east. The Gopal Bhavan is one of four main pavilions in the18th-century garden palace at Deeg. The view shows the facade of the yellow sandstone building with arcades of cusped arches.

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Many of these ancient structure, now running as heritage hotels, continue to attract travelers till date, who come to experience the royal past , while enjoying the modern comforts .

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Forts and Palaces in Rajasthan – Part II , covering Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Chiitorgarh, Bikaner and Jodhpur. To be continued with the vintage pictures of, covering Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Chiitorgarh, Bikaner and Jodhpur. .

Pictures from : The British Library,

Some pictures were shared by Mr Abdul Ghaffar (@ghaffar12)

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