Meeting the history

Red fort,Delhi

A glimpse of the red sandstone ramparts of Red Fort beside the swarming street of Delhi elucidated its Mughal lineage and appeared like a landmark of Mughal domination in India at the apogee of power. In its unimpeded look, I was awestruck by the sight of Lahore gate; familiar face of the fort, from where Prime Minister of India unfurls the Indian tricolour every year, the sight of Indian tricolour reminded the zeal and determination of Indian freedom fighters to hoist the tricolour on the fort.

Red fort, Delhi

Besieged by Indian security, the Red Fort emerged like a symbol of power that was visibly very close but, inaccessible, where the definition of “power” has gone through a series of evolution, during the time of Mughal Monarchy, Colonial regime, and Democratic rule after Indian independence.

Ramparts of Red fort,Delhi

Built by the emperor Shahjahan in seventeenth century, the Red Fort or Laal Qila has witnessed the glamorous days of Mughal regime, witnessed a declining Mughal domination and ravages on the street of Delhi by marauding band of Nadir Shah, witnessed the end of Mughal regime and advent of Wiltshire Regiment of British to replace the Mughal army, witnessed the excruciating trial to oust Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah and nearly a century later, trial of the soldiers of Ajad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) of Netaji Subhas at the same spot by the British government, witnessed the sun up of independent India on 15-th August 1947 with the unfurled tricolour hoisted for the first time, to commemorate Indian independence.

Inside view and British barracks inside Red fort,Delhi 

It was the Red Fort, an inexhaustible platform of hoisting historic events, where history has its ceaseless journey since medieval age to the present. With the holidaying crowd, we began our awaited rendezvous with the landmark of eternal sheen or to sate the thirst of experiencing history in the array of bereft buildings.

Shape of a dream

Apart from piquant cuisine, colourful outfits and transfixing ceremonies, city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, has priceless ensemble of historic monuments. Unique in architectural design, the palaces, astronomical observatory, forts of Jaipur reflect the spirit of a vibrant city and they are a treasure of lore. Series of interminable strong ramparts of Aamer fort of Jaipur on the Aravalli hills kindle the feeling of experiencing Great Wall of China. The outright symbol of intransigence and resolute grit of Rajput warriors, Aamer fort or Amber fort of Rajasthan is the reminder of ebullient phase of Indian History.

Road to Aamer fort,Jaipur

Keeping the dark coloured Maota Lake in our left, our vehicle started to scale the slopes to the fort, the road happened to be thronged with marching queues of war elephants, lancers on camel and horseback has become congested with tourist vehicles. Imposing beauty of Aamer fort slowly enveloped us in the perplexing extravaganza of delight. Where natural and manmade beauties were mingled in abundance and the hypnotising ambience lured us by the power its elegance.

Aamer fort,Jaipur

It was inestimably huge and enigmatic to speculate, how the hefty structure of Aamer fort, the erstwhile capital of Jaipur was erected so many years ago on the top of Aravalli hills. The hilltop once hummed by the illustrious personalities of history, I found the premises of Aamer fort was entirely filled with tourists and photo enthusiasts. Getting down from the car, we began walking on the stone paved approach road to enter into the premises where galore of colours has been interlaced with fascinating tales of bravery. The picturesque beauty of a Rajput kingdom situated in the midst of natural wall of hills surprised us with the splendid opulence of Royal legacies, remnant of an era where veritable exemplar of colourful days of Royal inhabitation could be freshly felt in every corner.

Inside Aamer fort,Jaipur

With my leaping eyes from atop the castle, I was overwhelmed by the memories of fascinating tales of my childhood and I began to locate afar the hill where Royal treasure was buried, sometime exploring the clouds of dust churned by the hooves of horses and sometime envisaging a swishing sword of Rajput warrior flashing into the sky. The deepening twilight darkened the water of the lake to mark the end of an eventful day. Slowly darkness shrouded the entirety and we were on our way to leave the fort.