Secrets of Amber

Rashmi Dickinson in conversation with Honourable Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh Bharatpur and Edward Dickinson

Nestled between the green hills that surround Jaipur, Amber is, in campaigning author Rashmi Dickinson’s words, “the progenitor of Jaipur”. This ancient town is built around the Amber Fort, which is as much an engineering marvel as it is a work of art. Amber Fort is one of the most visited monuments in India, and yet, according to Dickinson, large parts of it are in “dire need of better maintenance”. Her book Secrets of Amber details the history and architecture of the town of Amber through twelve ‘walks’ conducted in the city. On the last day of the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival 2020, Secrets of Amber was launched by Honourable Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh Bharatpur, with Dickinson’s husband Edward Dickinson joining them in conversation.

Bharatpur commended the Dickinsons for the contributions they had made towards the preservation of Amber’s heritage. Drawing from Dickinson’s advocacy for responsible tourism, Bharatpur said, “there is a need to explore ethical tourism.” He said: “Rajasthan has only explored 20% of its tourism potential.” As more monuments are preserved and promoted, it was important to make sure that tourism activities made a “positive contribution to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.”  He said, “it is time that all stakeholders work together to create an ecosystem of responsible tourism.”

A cardiologist by training, Dickinson shared how her interest in Amber was piqued. “I came to Amber almost 20 years ago, just as a tourist. I used to walk around, discovering new things like a child,” she said. In 2013, she started long walks called Come walk with me in my beloved Amber. She invited her friends and acquaintances to these walks. “The response was very positive,” she said, talking about the success of these walks. Eventually, she realised that Amber needs responsible tourism to protect the social and architectural heritage of the town. “Responsible tourism would ensure that the visitors would like the monument more, and the locals would benefit too,” she said.

For Dickinson, Secrets of Amber is also a way of helping the town of Amber. “All royalties from the book are going to be used for the Amber Ladies Collective,” she declared. This Collective will help orphaned, destitute or divorced women by training them as tour guides, thus enabling them to make a living.

Moderator Dickinson asked Bharatpur about his department’s initiatives to promote tourism. Bharatpur said that the department will make new tourist-circuits which will comprise of places that have architectural, natural or religious importance. According to him, these circuits will be marketed in various regional languages, in order to “promote domestic footfall.”

“I look at everything from a child’s eyes,” Dickinson said. Her childlike wonder towards Amber has proven to be a blessing for the town, and one hopes that her efforts will continue to bear fruit.