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“Jab Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya”
The lilting tunes of this iconic song from the legendary 1960s movie, “Mughal-e-Azam”, bring to mind two visions of sheer beauty- the grace of the actress, Madhubala, and the jaw-dropping opulence of the Sheesh Mahal! Located in Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the Sheesh Mahal is structurally an otherwise nice, ordinary palace- except for one important detail! The walls, columns, and even the ceiling areas are adorned with intricate mirror mosaic work that takes the breath away from any beholder.
The majestic palace was constructed by Maharaja Man Singh in the 16th Century and was completed by 1727. The idea of this masterpiece was born out of a wish by the queen who desired to sleep beneath the twinkling stars of the night sky. While it was not allowed for her to do so, owing to security, and other reasons, the king assigned a challenge to his architects. The challenge was to create the heavenly experience of a starry night in an indoor space, and they devised an innovative solution, to bring the stars inside the palace, metaphorically.
But before we enter the interiors of the Sheesh Mahal to fathom its grandeur resulting from a simple but brilliant use of scientific phenomena, let us first get acquainted briefly with the cultural history of the region. In Rajasthan, mirror work and “panni” work were showcased extensively in the havelis and forts of the 15th Century. Panni, simply put, was the coloured foil used to outline the mirror work. Mirror work was no easy task; highly skilled workers whose families had carried the art from one generation to the next had to work for months on end, to expertly pull off such an intricate work of art.
Initially, the practice began with the use of mirrors in temple interiors, creating multiple reflections of the deity to give a sense of the omnipresence of God. The style then spread to royal palaces, and owing to the mesmerising effect it created, it became quite popular. But the work required the utmost patience and diligence. Small, circular mirrors with 2 to 4 mm thickness were used since the gauge allowed them to be cut without breaking easily. After treating them with lime paste to prevent cracks, they were slathered in baked lime and crushed burnt brick paste prior to commencing the relief work. This was done with a long pen that had a pointed tip for carving and a flat tip at the bottom for scraping off the excess paste. After softening their edges, the carefully cut and shaped mirrors were placed one by one, thus making up stunningly intricate designs.
It was observed that apart from the dazzling look, the use of mirrors also made rooms appear brighter, as even a single piece of glass reflected candlelight brilliantly. But how does this happen? How did the light of even a single candle manage to transform the interiors of the Sheesh Mahal to appear like it held a thousand twinkling stars within its walls? The answer is simple - convex mirrors! To understand it better, let’s dip our toes into the science behind the mirror.
So, what exactly is a convex mirror? The rear-view mirror in your car or street light reflectors are excellent examples. These mirrors form a smaller image of a large object. But how does this help in the Sheesh Mahal? Well, these mirrors also have one great quality. Also known as ‘diverging mirrors’, they cause all light rays to deviate after hitting their reflective surface. The ray of light which was originally parallel spreads in all directions upon diverging, creating a theatrical illusion and play of lights.
Each mirror in the Sheesh Mahal is convex, which helps artistically scatter all light beams falling upon it. This, coupled with the fact that the edges of the mirrors have tinted foil and illuminating paint manage to capture even the smallest ray of light and accentuate it marvellously. Additionally, the smooth marble floors prove to be the finest canvas for the light patterns that form by the diverging beams. The panni work outlining the mirrors ensures that the patterns do not overlap; rather they provide relief between two dancing spots of light and form spellbinding geometric visuals.
Also, it was observed that the mirrors not only reflected and held light but also absorbed heat from the light source. The decorative glass and the mirrors thus helped in keeping the interiors warm. This prompted the king to shift from his Sukh Nivas, or his summer palace, to the Sheesh Mahal, which became the perfect abode during the chilly Jaipuri winters that illuminated every night like the twinkling sky.
Years after its construction, even today, the thousands of tiny mirrors, the coloured Belgian glass, and precious stones bring the palace to life. The unbelievable amount of detailing and the clever play between science and aesthetics is so overwhelmingly irreplaceable, that the Amber Fort has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. True to its name, the Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors invites all to reflect, admire, get mesmerised by its timeless charm and live our own fantasy tale in it.
References:
1. Ravindra Joisa. (n.d.). Jaipur Amer Fort Sheesh Mahal. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://www.ravindrajoisa.com/jaipur-amer-fort-sheesh-mahal/
2. Jaipurian. (n.d.). Sheesh Mahal in Jaipur. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from http://www.jaipurian.com/sheesh-mahal-in-jaipur/
3.Hindustan Times. (2022, March 8). The innovative methods of using mirrors in Sheesh Mahals of Rajasthan. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/the-innovative-methods-of-using-mirrors-sheesh-mahals-of-rajasthan/story-3ZPsdMjpbf4gob69hv5lTJ.html
4.Jaipur Stuff. (n.d.). Sheesh Mahal Jaipur: Know everything about the glass palace. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://www.jaipurstuff.com/sheesh-mahal-jaipur-know-everything-about-the-glass-palace/
5.Collegedunia. (n.d.). Uses of convex mirror in physics. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://collegedunia.com/exams/uses-of-convex-mirror-physics-articleid-853
6. Embibe. (n.d.). Concave and convex mirror. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://www.embibe.com/exams/concave-and-convex-mirror/