Amber Fort

The spectacular Pink City Jaipur boasts of stunning architectures and tourist places and a visit to this beautiful city is not complete unless one explores the grandeur of Amber Fort. One of the best places to visit in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Amber Fort, also called Amer Fort, is a brilliant specimen of the excellent craftsmanship of India and displays a rich history with it. Sprawling across 4 square kilometers, this fort-cum-palace is a marvelous reminder of the royal era and its grandeur. It is nestled on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful cityscape. The fort is known by many names, including Amer ka Kila, Amber Palace, Amber Fort, and Amer Palace and was home for the royals of Rajasthan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this majestic building with its maze-like passages and serpentine staircases is an architectural masterpiece with significance to Indian history. Located 11 kilometers from the city center, Amer/Amber Fort was constructed by Maharaja Man Singh, a trusted general of Mughal ruler Akbar, in 1592 and has served as a royal residence of the Rajput Rulers.

Amber Fort through its large ramparts, several gateways, and paved paths, overlooks the Maota Lake in Amer town, which was the capital city of the then princely state of Jaipur. To take in all the glory of the palace, one will need at least 2-3 hoursto explore the magnificence, which will include walking but still worth the efforts. One other fascinating tourist activity here is to get an elephant ride up the stairs to the Amber Fort which makes the tour even more memorable. The fort welcomes over five thousand visitors every day from all over the world continues to savor the unbridled attention it gets not just from the local visitors but from famous celebrities who come here for movie and ad shoots.

The town of Amer was built by a small tribe named ‘Meenas’ and was ruled by the Kachwahas’s during the 11th century to the 16th century before the capital was shifted to Jaipur. According to belief, Amer/Amber Fort gets its name after Ambikeshwar, another name for Lord Shiva, however, the locals also believe that the name has been derived from Amba, another name of Goddess Durga. In the year 1592 AD, Raja Man Singh constructed the fort as a residence for the Rajput Royals and the expansion and renovation of the same continued to be done for the next 150 years by the successors. The older palace built first, known as Kadimi Palace, is regarded as the oldest palace of the country and makes for an attractive sight. A small temple devoted to his patron goddess ‘Sheela Mata’ was also ordered by Raja Man Singh. With many old constructions destroyed and new ones built in place, the magnificent Amer Fort stood against all the odds with great fervor and keeps its visitors awed every time.

The stunning creation is a phenomenal blend of Hindu Rajputana and Mughal architectural style and is made with red and yellow sandstone and marble. From the city, the fort looks like a cherry on top and flaunts its colorful and vibrant design. The first thing that gets noticed once you are in the proximity of the fort are the detailed carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses on the walls and ceilings which looks breathtaking. The fort is segmented into four sections, each of which is known as a courtyard with a separate gate for each. The entry gates of the palace’s courtyards are constructed with beautiful Rajput structures that add character and charisma to every gate. The main entrance leading to the courtyard is known as ‘Suraj Pol’ or Sun Gate which is east facing and is named with respect to the rising sun. Grand staircases will lead you to an impressive courtyard known as Jaleb Chowk which was used by the army to display their war swag back in time. Diwan-e-Aam (Public Hall) is on the second floor with three open sides and extensive mosaic glassworks while the third courtyard is around the royal quarters. The final level of the fort was built for the royal women which has a courtyard enclosed by several rooms and a hall known as Jai Mandir which was used for a private audience back in time.

The palace boasts of stunning features like Sukh Mandir or Mahal, which is made of sandalwood and ivory, Sheesh Mahal, which is the most stunning creation of the fort with flowers and glass painting son the walls, the famous Ganesh Pol, and many more that lure visitors towards this magnificence. Once you step inside the fort, you will be carried back to the golden era of Rajput kings where you can glimpse the luxury and royalty, they lived in. The walls of the fort are decorated with several paintings of the Rajput rulers and ancient hunting styles which enhance the heritage touch of the fort and gives it a vibrant look. A deeper look into the paintings reveals the Rajput culture of the ancient times which is a fascinating sight. The palace overlooks Maota Lake which was the main source of water supply of the palace back in the days. The serene view of the lake and the lush green garden add a scintillating and magical charm to the place.

Inside Amber Fort :

• Suraj Pol – Sun Gate or Suraj Pol is the main entrance and is in the first courtyard. It is named so because of its positioning. The gateway is east-facing and is greeted by the sun rays first thing every morning.
• Jaleb Chowk– When you take the stairs from Suraj Pol it leads to Jaleb Chowk. This was the entrance that the rulers along with the soldiers used to take with their procession after the war. Women viewed the celebrations from the windows known as Jharokhas.
• Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas – The stairway from the first courtyard leads to second courtyard which houses Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas which are the House of the Commons and the House of the Officials respectively. In the Diwan-i-Aam, the rulers listened and addressed the problems of the common people, whereas the Diwan-i-Khas was used for official state policy matters only and concerns related to taxes, security, revenue, etc. were discussed with a select audience consisting of ministers.
• Jai Mandir – Jai Mandir is also in the second courtyard above Diwan-i-Khas which is adorned with floral glass tiles and represents Mughal influence.
• Sheesh Mahal – Located in the third courtyard, Sheesh Mahal was used to celebrate victories and festivals. The walls here were covered with concave mirrors which made the entire place get illuminated with only a few candles.
• Sukh Mahal– It is situated opposite to Sheesh Mahal and had a sandalwood door. The building was mostly air-conditioned due to the channels built along the walls.

Tips for the Visitors :

• If you are new to the place or culture, hire a guide for a deeper understanding and knowledge of the fort’s past.
• Carry a water bottle with you as a lot of walking is required to fully explore the fort.
• It is advisable to reach as early as possible to enjoy the beauty of the fort to the best.

The elephant ride in Amber Fort is one of the most thrilling activities. Every year, numerous visitors flock to the fort for taking this ride in the big mammal adorned with colorful clothed and accessories. This joy ride takes you to the entrance of Amber Fort up the steep slope and is worth taking the ride.

The total duration of the ride is estimated 20-30 minutes which starts as car parking lot and ends at courtyard of the Amber Fort. It is a breathtaking sight to enjoy the setting sun while on the back of the elephant. Rajasthan govt. conducts regular checkups to ensure the safety and health of the elephants and to stop animal cruelty.

The cost of taking the elephant ride is INR1000 for two.

When you are visiting Amer Fort, you cannot afford to miss the light and sun show here. A fifty-minute-long stunning show with vibrant lights and music is held every evening at the Amer or Amber Fort showcasing the history of Jaipur and the fort. The show also salutes the local legends, folklore, and folk music with a view and motive to revive the rich history of the state.

The fee is Rs295

Timings –

• October to February: 6:30 pm (English)/7:30 pm (Hindi)
• March to April: 7 pm (English)/8 pm (Hindi)
• May to September: 7:30 pm (English)/8:30 pm (Hindi)

Amer Fort is open to the public from 8 AM to 7 PM.

• Entry for Indian visitors - INR50
• Entry Fee for Foreign visitors – INR550
• Foreign students – INR100
• Indian students – INR50

The best time to visit Amer Fort is from November to March as during this time the temperature is pleasant with mild winters, and it is easier to walk and explore the fort. You can visit the fort at other times as well but the summer months can get a bit uncomfortable with the Rajasthan heat.

Amer town is located at about 11 kilometers (about 6.8 miles) from Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan. From Jaipur, it is easy to reach Amer in about 30 minutes by road.

• By Air: The nearest airport from the fort is in Jaipur which is connected to all major cities.
• By Train: The nearest train station is in Jaipur as well which is connected to all major cities.
• By Road: Many modes of transport are available in the city such as public buses, auto rickshaws or taxis that can be hired to reach the fort conveniently. Buses are available from neighboring cities and states to Jaipur.

• Panna Meena Ka Kund – One of the many popular stepwells in Rajasthan, Panna Meena Ka Kund was established in the 16th century which was built to supply the locals with water. It is now used as a community centre for societies living around and is a must-visit place to get a glimpse of the lively culture.
• Jaigarh Fort – A grand fort located atop ‘Cheel Ka Teela’ hills in Jaipur, Jaigarh Fort was built to protect Amer Fort. The fort is connected to Amber fort through subterranean passages and is also called as the ‘Fort of Victory’. It houses the world’s largest cannons on wheels and offers an exquisite view of the city.
• Anokhi Museum of Hand Painting – The museum exhibits several artifacts related to hand and block paintings which is the oldest form of Rajasthani art. This museum is a charitable foundation started by the clothing brand Anokhi and is housed in a haveli. It is a UNESCO site and a must-visit place.
• Jal Mahal – A palace built in 1750s, Jal Mahal is one of the most photographed monuments in India. It sits right at the centre of the Man Sagar Lake, only one storey of the monuments is visible and the rest four are submerged underneath. It is located on the outskirts of Jaipur and is a stunning sight to behold.
• Garh Ganesh Temple – It is an ancient temple built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh before he laid the foundation for Jaipur city. The temple is nearby Nahargarh and Jaigarh forts and is dedicated to Lord Ganesh.

Some of the best restaurants near Amber Fort are:

• 1135 AD
• Kokum Bistro
• Chokha Amer Restaurant
• Royal Rajwada Multicuisine
• Cafe Amber