Amber Fort (also known as Amer Fort) is located 11 km from
Jaipur. Set on the banks of Maota Lake, this grand fort was
built by Raja Man Singh with later additions by Raja Jai Sigh
I and Raja Jai Singh II. Raja Man Singh, who was an important
military leader in the army of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, began
this fort in 1592. Amber Fort was later used by the Kachwaha
rulers as their capital. Tourists can enter Amber Fort by
riding on elephant back up to the impressive Singh Pol gateway.
After entering the gateway, visitors can dismount from elephant
back in the courtyard or Jaleb Chowk. The Amber Fort is an
impressive structure, which showcases the best of the Rajput
architectural heritage. The grand battlements, towers and
defensive structures of the fort are worth exploring to get
a sense of what life must have been like for the defenders
of the fort. The Ganesh Pol, a grand gateway decorated with
paintings of Ganesha, the elephant headed God, is an impressive
sight.
Further within the fort are many-pillared Diwan-i-am or hall
of public audience and the Diwan-i-Khas or hall of private
audience. There are formal gardens such as the Charbagh Garden
and palaces where the royal family stayed within the fort.
The Sukh Nivas and Jag Mandir Apartments within Amer Fort
are examples of the fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
This grand fort near Jaipur is a monument where history comes
alive in resplendent colors.
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