Amber is a stunningly beautiful small town, nestling in the Aravalli Hills 11 km from Jaipur, the state capital of Rajasthan. It is the second most magnificent tourist site in India after the Taj Mahal. While the latter is simply a mausoleum, Amber is a town of rich and complex built, natural and social heritage.
For over seven hundred years up to 1728, Amber was the seat of one of the most influential Rajput Kingdoms. As the rulers were particularly tolerant and broad minded, Amber also became a crucial centre of arts and culture.
All that changed when Maharaja Jai Singh II moved
his capital to Jaipur in 1728 and Amber became a ghost town. Now the community
lacks the most basic amenities and people are dispirited and civic pride
is low. The schools are very poor and education is impoverished. Sanitation
is rudimentary. The streets are dirty and dangerous. Deforestation is a
major problem along with hillside erosion. The water table is dropping alarmingly.
Access to health care is poor and the standard of care is dubious. Marvellous
heritage building are crumbling. Local culture is disappearing.