Forts and Castles - Rolf Gross

Amber was originally built by the Meenas in the town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother
Goddess, whom they knew as `Gatta Rani' or `Queen of the Pass'. Built over the remnants of
an earlier structure, the palace complex which stands today was commenced under the reign
of Raja Man Singh, Commander in Chief of Akbar’s army and a member of the Emperor's inner
circle of nine courtiers, in 1592. The initial structure of the fort was entirely completed by his
descendant, Jai Singh I. Amber was modified by successive rulers over the next 150 years, until
the Kachwahas shifted their capital to Jaipur during the time of Sawai Jai Singh II.
Jaisalmer
12th - 17th cent
The Fort of Jaisalmer.
Photo Panoramio
In 1156 Rawal Jaisal, the sixth in succession from Deoraj, founded the fort and city of
Jaisalmer, and made it his capital as he moved from his former capital at Lodhruva (which is
situated about 15 km to the south-east of Jaisalmer). In 1294, the Bhatis so enraged the
emperor Ala-ud-din Khilji that his army captured and sacked the fort and city of Jaisalmer, so
that for some time it was quite deserted. After this there is nothing to record till the time of
Rawal Sahal Singh, whose reign marks an epoch in Bhati history in that he acknowledged the
supremacy of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.