Amber Fort – A Charming Blend of Mughal & Rajputana Architecture
Amber Fort or most commonly known as Amber Palace is one of the famous forts and exquisite tourist destinations in India. Located at a distance of 11 km from capital city Jaipur, the fort served as the bastion of Kachhwahas rulers of Amer (Amber) before the capital was shifted to present day Jaipur. The foundation of the fort was originally laid by Meenas of Chanda clan in the 10th century and later it was expanded by Raja Man Singh, one of the most trusted generals of Akbar in 1592. It was subsequently expanded by his descendant Jai Singh I and other successive rulers over the next 150 years.
The original fort was a part of Jaigarh Fort connected by fortified passages. The Amber Fort is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and exhibits a perfect amalgamation of Rajputana and Mughal architecture. The fort was built to provide safe haven against foreign enemies.
Set atop a small hill, the Amber Fort is a widespread palace complex constructed using pink and pale yellow sandstone with a touch of white marble. The fortress with its large walls, paved paths and several gateways is basically divided into four core sections decorated with their respective courtyards.
What’s so special about Amber Fort?
This architectural marvel is undoubtedly enlisted in the top tourist attractions of Jaipur and the reasons are too many. Carved out of red sandstone and white marble, the serpentine staircases and maze-like passages are an eternal reminder to the visitor about the glamorous lives of the Rajput rulers.
The splendour of the Amber Palace is enhanced by intricate paintings of medieval hunting styles and portrayals of the Rajput rulers. The Fort features a series of courtyards, palaces, gardens and halls which can easily spellbind the visitors.
The structure also boasts of several prominent buildings such as Diwan-i-Aam, Sukh Mahal and Sheesh Mahal. The best way to reach the Palace entrance at the top is via elephant, personal vehicle or either uphill walk. The fort overlooks picturesque Maota Lake which served as the main source of water for the Palace. Many tourists love to remain at the fort till evening for the mesmerizing light and sound show near Maota Lake and the enthralling night view.
Where are the courtyards in Amber Fort located?
The opulent palace is positioned on four levels each with their own entry gate and courtyard. The entry to the fort is through the primary courtyard known as Jaleb Chowk which can be reached via Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) and Chand Pol (Moon Gate). Up the main stairway is the second courtyard known as Diwan-e-Aam (Public Audience Hall) with 27 pillars and elephant-shaped section.
The third courtyard which was the private quarters of the royal family can be accessed through Ganesh Pol (Ganesh Gate) which is adorned with mosaic and figures. The courtyard is separated by a Mughal-styled garden with two buildings opposite to each other. This is the area where you will catch a glimpse of the intricate mirror work and it’s popular with the name Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace). The area also covers Diwan-e-Khaas (Hall of Private Audience) or Jas Mandir adorned with floral glass inlays and alabaster. The second building opposite to Diwan-e-Khaas is Sukh Niwas or Hall of Pleasure where the king relaxed with his ladies in an artificially cooled climate.
The fourth courtyard lies at the rear of the fort where Palace of Man Singh is also located. The courtyard with several living rooms is known as zenana where royal family women lived and the king use to visit them as per his choice. The exit of this courtyard leads down to the town of Amer.
What are the nearby tourist attractions?
There are several places of interest near Amber which can reveal more about the history of Rajasthan. Some of the main attractions within 2 km of distance include Anokhi Museum, Jagat Shiromani Lake, Sagar Lake and Panna Meena ka Kund. If you are willing to stretch a little, then the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) located about 3.5 km from Amer is bound to catch your eyeballs.
What are the timings and cost of tickets for visiting Amber Fort?
The Fort is open every day between 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. It reopens from 6:30 pm to 9:15 pm for night viewing and dinner. The cost of visiting the fort is Rs. 100 for Indian nationals and Rs. 500 for foreigners. Tickets for visiting the Fort at night will cost Rs. 100 for both Indians and foreigners. The sound and light show at night will cost Rs. 300 per person.
How to reach Amber Fort?
The Fort is just 11 km from the city, so the cheapest way to get there is to take a bus that departs from near Hawa Mahal. You can also take an auto-rickshaw or book a cab or taxi for some extra bucks.
From Jaipur Railway Station
Get off from a railway station and the economical way of getting to Amber Fort which is about 13.5 km, is to take a bus which will cost around Rs. 30. It will take between 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the destination depending on the traffic. Cab or taxi will cost slightly more at around Rs. 200 but let you reach the endpoint much earlier.
From Jaipur Sanganer Airport
At a driving distance of about 20 km, the airport is also not too far away from your destination. To easily reach Amber Fort, you can hire a taxi/cab which would take around 40 minutes to reach the spot.
Looking for a Hotel Near Amber Fort?
If you are keen on exploring the majestic fort of Amer which speak volumes about the glorious history of Rajasthan, we can help you check into an exquisite hotel nearby. If you book a hotel room with us, we can assure you world-class lodging experience at affordable prices. And your hotel stay will be at such proximity that every time you look out of your hotel window, you can catch the sight of the breathtaking heritage monument called Amer Fort.
