Amber Palace

Overview

Amber Palace features among the most visited forts and top attractions in Rajasthan. The fort is perched on the high hills. Meenas built this fort using redstone and marble in 1592 from the ancient ruins of the 11^th century.

The fort was the dwelling place of the royal family of Raja Man Singh. He carved 12 beautifully decorated rooms for his queens. The king had 12 wives, and a staircase connected each room to the king's chamber.

UNESCO inscribed this fort among the world heritage sites as part of six hill forts in Rajasthan.

History

Amer was a small town before the Kachwahas’s rule, and a small tribe Meenas inhabited it. The Amer fort was named after Ambikeshwar(another name of Lord Shiva). The locals differ and opine that the name has been derived from Amba, another name of Goddess Durga.

It was named Dundar during the Kachhawahas rule from the 11^th century to the 16^th century till the center of power was shifted to Jaipur. 

Raja Man Singh built the fort in 1592 AD. His successors carried on the renovation and expansion efforts for the next 150 years. Kadimi Mahal is considered to be the oldest palace in the country. King Man Singh also commissioned a small temple of his patron Goddess Sheela Mata. The Amber fort held out against all attacks with great valor. Over time, old structures gave way to the new structures.

Princely state Jaipur had its capital in Amer, and the fort was the abode of its Rajput rulers. Maharaja Man Singh I led Mughal Emperor Akbar's army. He began construction in 1592 on the remnants of an 11^th-century fort. All the successive Rajput kings added value to the Amber Fort until the capital was shifted to Jaipur in 1727.

Architecture

Its architecture is a perfect blend of traditional Rajputana and Mughal styles. Red sandstone and marble give it an aesthetically mysterious look. Portraits of majestic Rajput rulers and paintings of old hunting styles give you the glimpses of Rajputana.

Amer Fort has four sections characterized by a separate courtyard and entrance. Suraj Pol or Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort, leading you to the main courtyard. This gate faces east where the sun rises. Thus, it has derived this name. 

Step to the right on the imposing stairways to reach Siladevi Temple. The same stairways lead you to an impressive courtyard Jaleb Chowk. Back then, women would watch proceedings through the windows, and the army used to flaunt war booty at Jaleb Chowk.

Diwan-e-Aam is the Public Audience Hall on the second level of the Amer Fort. This grand hall opens on three sides. Two columns of pillars with mounted elephants support the hall, which portrays extensive mosaic glassworks.

The royal quarters are around the third courtyard of the Amer Fort. Ganesh Pol is the entry point to get this far. Sheesh Mahal stands as the most impressive attraction in the entire fort complex. Glass paintings and intricate carvings of flowers adorn the ceilings and walls.

If you light two candles inside the Sheesh Mahal hall, thousand glittering stars on the ceilings will give you a pleasant illusion. Sukh Mahal hall is in front of the Sheesh Mahal. It was built using ivory and sandalwood. Its numerous channels run cold water.

Magic flower is a fresco carved out of marble, and Lord Ganesha's carving out of a single piece of coral are other highlights of the complex. Man Singh, I used the main palace in the south of this courtyard. It is the oldest part of the complex. The main palace exits directly to the Amer town.

Royal women used to occupy the final level of the Amer Fort. Here, several rooms surrounded the courtyard. Back in time, Jas Mandir was a hall meant for private audiences. 

Guide

You can avail of the services of a guide in Hindi and English in exchange for a fee.

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