Amber Fort

Amber (pronounced “Amer”) is a majestic fort set in the lap of rugged hills in the Jaipur area. An enticing combination of Hindu and Mughal architecture, Raja Man Singh I initiated the construction of the fort in the year 1592 and it was Mirja Raja Jai Singh who got it completed.

The ambience and aura of this massive fort-palace complex is unparalleled. While the inner walls sport enchanting paintings and carvings, precious stones and mirror setting, the fort is surrounded by rugged terrain from the outside which has a stark beauty of its own. The breathtaking Maota Lake lies in the foreground of the fort.

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Maota Lake

The original intention of building the Amber Fort was to create a safe haven during wars and conflicts. The mighty walls of the fort have always been strong enough to protect the occupants from external dangers and an underground tunnel connected it to the higher Jaigarh fort which was even more heavily fortified.

The fort can be divided into four distinct sections, each with its own entrance gate and courtyard. The Sural Pole (Sun Gate) is the chief entry point and it leads the visitor to Jaleb Chowk which is the first main courtyard. Built during Sawai Jai Singh’s rule between 1693 and 1743, victorious armies would celebrate their successes in battles in this courtyard.

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Magic Flower Fresco, Amer Fort

Amber Fort houses Jai Mandir which is embellished by beautiful glass inlaid panels and mirrored ceilings. also known as Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), it provides extremely picturesque vistas of the Maota Lake. Opposite the Jai Mandir is the Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure). An exotic sandalwood door leads to this palace. The “Magic Flower” is a major attraction here. It is a beautifully carved marble fresco at the base of one of the pillars in the Mirror Palace. The flower has seven unique designs of fish tail, a lotus, a hooded cobra, an elephant trunk, a lion’s tail, a cob of corn, and a scorpion. Each design is viewed by a particular way of partial hiding of the panel with hands.

The fort tells tales of the rich and colorful past of the region. An integral part of Jaipur and its royalty, Amber fort stands testimony to the Rajput glory.

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