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This site was the garden of Maharaja of Jaipur – An ally to the Mughals from whom emperor Shahjahan bought the land in- order to build the great mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, according to timurid tradition the land for such a mausoleum could not be seized, but had to be acquired correctly and so it was. Records of this incredible monument of love having its own source of revenue, its own fort, with a navy and dedicated military force along with a commander are known. A reflective garden across the river where the emperor visited regularly led to rumours of a Black Taj Mahal being planned- We don’t believe that to be true. What may not be known is that Taj Mahal complex was at times a dormitory, was almost never approached by the emperor through land route and it also played host to orchestra parties during the British Raj.! Lovers have been caught in the act here with tragic outcomes as have those who drank too much wine and fell of the high platform and then, there is the Red Taj Mahal “From Her To Him” – Who Knew.?!

Let us share with you the other history of Taj Mahal when you come to India. This gleaming white marble monument has many colourful stories to share.

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The history of saree is to a large extent , the history of the country itself as it has withstood and adapted to new influences of many multicultural empires that have ruled over this vast land from Aryans to the Mauryas, the Greeks introduced chiton which was pleated as a skirt and draped over one shoulder, the Persians gave us ‘Gara’ an exquisite embroidery depicting the beauty of nature with their designs and motifs,the Royal households of North and South India introduced intricate zardozi work and finally with the advent of Mughals an outburst of a never before seen extravagance created clothing fabrics embellished with gold/silver wires and gems which was as classic as it was comfortable – a perfect reminiscent of the splendour in which the women of those times lived.

What makes it special is that even being ancient has in no way impacted its popularity. Still ubiquitous, each saree can be draped over 80 ways, most of which are regionally specific and are a result of the countless generations of Indian woman whose hard work and commitment has made this timeless elegance, an unparalleled demonstration of traditional Indian art.

We at Amber have our favourite places to experience this and shop directly from the looms supporting the local artisans to name a few of the main ones – Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi, Bengal, Chanderi, Kanchipuram and Mysore. Join us in your next trip to experience the real beauty of the stories that define India.

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Derived from the Hindi word ‘bungri’ a thin, often rigid ornament similar to a solid bracelet in Indian culture. The first discovery of bangles is attributed to the Mohenjo-Daro [2600 B.C.] settlements some 5000 years ago and over the years bangles from sea shells or stones to glass have become a significant part of Indian culture and traditions as they are considered a symbol of ‘a complete woman’ or ‘Saubhagya’. They adorn their wrist and are among the sixteen adornments of a bride called “Solah-Shringar”.

Made with a range of materials including gold, glass, ivory and lac, what makes it even more special is that each bangle represents the various cultural art of this vast land and the spiritual meanings attached to it – Red signifies energy and prosperity, while green denotes good luck and fertility. Yellow bangles are meant for happiness, white is for new beginnings and orange is for success. Silver bangles denote strength and gold bangles are the ultimate symbol of fortune and prosperity.

All this gives us knowledge about the advancement of human understanding in ancient times where art and beauty were concerned and how women with their emotional strength and ability to support it by dedication and devotion have made life so beautiful.

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