The Fort of Amer
Just outside of Jaipur, we stopped to see Amer Fort. Amer Fort and its surrounding "Great Wall" (modeled after China's) was the original home of the Royal Family of Jaipur and its Maharaja (royal king), built beginning in 1592 over a period of 125 years. The royal family married into Moghul royalty (the Mongol invaders who ruled most of the sub-continent from 1500 - 1850) and was therefore able to preserve its kingdom during that time. The fort itself is one of the largest and most intact that we saw.
The architecture of the fort combines Hindi and Moghul influences and was advanced in terms of its engineering for its time.
Note the beautiful lake garden (although the lake is a bit dry this time of year) as well as the fine marble/glass inlay work that foreshadows the Taj Mahal.
click on a picture to enlarge it