Among the famous forts of Jaipur is Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort Jaipur. The fort isn’t just famous for its historic background but also for its magnificent beauty and architecture. I have heard a lot about this fort and seen it on TV in movies, now it was the time to see it in real. Whoever has to visit Jaipur, Amer Fort remains on the top of the things to do in Jaipur. Visiting Amer Fort Jaipur is really a wonderful experience as you will experience the life of kings; you will get to see how they used to live. Every brick and every stone has stories to tell and you need to feel everything. So without any delay, let’s get lost in history. If you are traveling to Jaipur, this is a must-visit place.
Amer Fort Jaipur is an exceptionally wonderful piece of marvelous architecture. The moment you walk through the corridors, you will feel the aura of the bygone, royal era. The fort is a majestic, splendid, and elegantly standing even today. The experience is something you will never forget. I visited Amer Fort on the third day of my Jaipur Journey.
Information for Visitors – Amer Fort Jaipur
- Location of the Fort – Amber, India
- Entry Fee – Rs. 100 (Indian), Rs. 500 (Foreigner)
- Night Entry – Rs.100
- Guide – Rs. 200
- Audio Guide – Rs. 200 – 250
- Hours – 8 AM to 6 PM
- Last Entry – 5:30 PM
Night Entry – 7 PM – 9 PM
View of Jaigrah from Amer
Nearby Restaurants – Amer Fort Jaipur
- Surabhi Restaurant and 1135 AD (inside the fort premises)
- Orange Blossom
- Madhuras Restaurant
- The Stag Rooftop Restaurant (opposite to Fort)
- Jal Mahal Restaurant
Interesting Facts about Amer Fort Jaipur
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2013.
- It is said that the name Amer is taken from Goddess Ambe (Meena Dynasty’s main deity).
- A must visit fort for every history and art over.
- There are four levels with courtyards.
- Amer Fort is the residence palace of royal families.
History of Amer Fort – Interesting Facts
Amber Fort or Amer Fort Jaipur is located in Amer; a town located 11 Kilometres from Jaipur. The fort is located on the hill and is a major tourist attraction. Raja Alan Singh founded the settlement at Amer in 967 CE. He was a ruler from the Chanda Clan of Meenas. During the Kachawaha King of Amber, Raja Man Singh, the fort was built. And later on Jai Singh, Raja Maan Singh’s descendant expanded the structure. Over the next 150 years, the fort went through several modifications. The present Amer Fort which we see today was built in the 16th century. A big portion of the palace was home to the kings. A much older portion, the Kadimi Mahal is referred to as the oldest surviving palace of India.
Raja Maan Singh was among the first war chiefs in the army of Akbar. He was his trusted general. And King Akbar honored Raja Maan Singh by including him in his Navaratnas of his royal court (9gems). He started the construction of a white and red sandstone fortress-palace in 1592 which is the present-day Amer Fort. He also built a temple devoted to his patron goddess, Sheela Mata.
Amber Fort Jaipur – The Architectural and Mesmerizing Beauty
The fort is constructed in red and white sandstones. Amber Fort is a wonderful example of Ancient Indian Architecture. The fort is a fine mixture of Rajput and Hindu architectural beauty. It also combines the artistic beauty of Muslim and Hindu architecture. The walls and the ceilings of the fort are beautifully ornamented. You will find several ancient paintings here. The fort has several gates divided into series every gate has a very incredible architectural and structural design. The fort has many places such as Sukh Mandir, Diwan – e- Aam, Sheesh Mahal, etc.
Let us take a tour of Amer Fort
First Courtyard of Amber Fort
As the fort is situated on a hill, a long stairway leads to the main palace ground from Jalebi Chowk. At the right of the entrance, is Sheela Devi temple. If you enter, you will see huge, beautiful Ganesh Pol also Ganesh Gate, a three-level structure that has several frescoes. Suhag Mandir is a place from where the royal women used to see the activities taking place in Diwan – e – aam. It lies above Ganesh Pol. The main entry takes place from Sural Pol.
Second Courtyard of Amer Fort
The second courtyard has Diwan – e – aam also spelled as Diwan – i – aam which is the public audience hall.
Diwan – e- Aam – The Hall of Public Audience
For the public audience, Diwan – e – aam is a large hall standing on two rows of pillars. All the pillars are decorated. Diwan – e – aam is open from its three sides. In ancient times, almost all the forts used to have a similar structure with a Diwan – e – aam where he would sit and listen to the complaints of the common people. The Diwan – e – aam at Amer Fort Jaipur has mesmerizing mosaic glasswork.
The Third Courtyard of Amer Fort Jaipur is the place where the king’s private quarters are. You enter through Ganesh Pol there are two buildings in the courtyard. A garden separates them. Jai Mandir is a building that lies to the left side of the entrance. The building is decorated with glass inlaid panels and the ceilings are decorated with convex shaped mirrors and paint. This glitters when lit by a candle. Let’s see Sheesh Mahal.
Sheesh Mahal
The literal meaning of Sheesh Mahal is Mirror Palace. This place is one of the most mesmerizing parts of Amer Fort. The jaw-dropping decoration on the walls and ceiling of Sheesh Mahal Amer Fort will give you lifetime memories. The walls and ceilings are decorated with glasswork and paintings. It is said that the queen loved sleeping under the starlit sky. Hence, the king called architectures and asked for a place like this. Hence, the Sheesh Mahal was built. If you look there, you will find the glittering ceiling. During the night, the queen used to sleep there. The mirror palace used to be lit by candles. And the Sheesh Mahal used to look like hundreds of stars shining, twinkling and glittering.
Palace of Maan Singh I
Known as the oldest part of Amer Fort, Maan Singh I Palace is located in the south of this courtyard. It is said that it took almost 25 years to completely build this palace. It was finished in the rule of Raja Maan Singh I in 1599. In the middle of this palace, lies a pavilion that is decorated. This pavilion used to be covered by curtains and used to be a place of meeting for the royal people, kings, and queens.
Fourth Courtyard of Amer Fort
The fourth courtyard of Amer Fort Jaipur is the place where the ladies of the king’s family (Zenana) used to reside. There are several living rooms in it. King had several queens who used to live there. The king used to visit any of the queens as per his desire without even letting anyone know. There is a common corridor where all these rooms open.
Zenani Deorhi
This place was the house for queen mothers and king’s consorts. Their female attendants would also live there.
These were the main parts of Amer Fort. The fort has mesmerizing and stunning architecture. You will get to see how the kings used to live at that time. You will get to see their private living rooms, their bathrooms, and a lot of other things. A part of this palace is a kind of labyrinth. I almost got lost and then reached to the same place which I had covered. From the top of this fort, you can see other forts i.e. a part of Jaigarh Fort. The palace remains crowded as it is famous internationally and is UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The light show takes place during the night. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the light show as I was getting late. Probably I would make it the next time.
Interesting Things to do in Amer Fort Jaipur
You can spend your entire day at Amer Fort depending on how you schedule your trip. I spent my half-day here and then moved to Jaigarh Fort via a tunnel. There some very interesting things to do at Amer Fort Jaipur which shouldn’t be missed.
- You can enjoy the elephant ride. But it finishes by afternoon. (Rs. 900 for two people)
- You can visit the gardens and museums in the fort.
- The light show is something you shouldn’t miss (though I did). It takes place at night in an open complex near the splendid Maota Lake.
- Watch the fort in the evening, bathed, illuminated in several colors.
- There is a turban museum which has a great turban collection.
- You can enjoy a classical dance show in Sukh Mahal in the evening. You need to buy tickets for this.
- You can also go for a four-wheel-drive at an extra charge.
I always prefer solo traveling. However, some may find it a bit challenging and boring. But I do and manage to take shots. So hope you enjoyed this post. Do like, share, and comment. And meanwhile, have a look at the clicks.
