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One of the top tourist attractions of Jaipur, the huge Amer Palace Fort sits atop a small hill, and is located at a distance about 11 km from the main city.
The Amer Fort, situated in Amber, 11 kilometers from Jaipur, is one of the most famous forts of Rajasthan. Amer, originally, was the capital of the state before Jaipur. It is an old fort, built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh. This fort is also very popularly known as the Amer Palace. Amer Fort is known for its imaginative Hindu design elements. With its large ramparts and collection of gates and cobbled paths, the Fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the major source of water for the Amer Palace. The magnificent Amer Fort is an extensive palace complex that has been built with pale yellow and pink sandstone, and with white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections that are graced with their own courtyards.
The fort’s majestic appearance and its geographical advantages make it a special place to visit. The fort presents a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. It is built using red sandstone and white marble. The palace complex of the Amber fort has very attractive apartments. This complex was built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries. This palace complex was used as the main residence of the Rajput Maharajas for a long period of time. Amber fort is associated with rich history which involves treachery and bloodshed. During Mughal rule, Amber under Man Singh I was at its height of power and influence. Man Singh was the Commander in Chief of the Mughal army and one of the Navratnas (nine jewels of Akbar’s court). The ornamentation of the fort is a blend of Rajput-Mughal styles. One can see intricate carvings, mirror and precious stone works on the walls and ceilings of the fort. There are several places in the fort complex, which has been built as per the Mughal style of architecture including the ‘Dil-e-Aaram’ garden, which is located at the entry point of the fort. Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the appealing, luxurious place is laid out on 4 levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-i-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-i-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and also the Sukh Niwas where a trendy environment is synthetically produced by winds that blow over a water waterfall within the royal palace. Each section has its own gate and courtyard. The first gate, which is also the main entrance, is called Suraj Pol or Sun Gate. The gate faces east, witnessing the sunrise every morning and hence the name. This gate leads to the first courtyard named Jalebi Chowk. When the place was still being ruled by the Rajputs, the soldiers used to assemble and celebrate their victory in this very courtyard. This was a visual treat and was often viewed by women through windows. Since the royal dignitaries used to enter through the Sun Gate, the place was heavily guarded. The front courtyard of the fort complex is adorned with the splendid, pillared hall of the Diwan-i-Am, and the two-tiered painted gateway, Ganesh Pol. The entrance of the Amber fort is through the Dil-e-Aaram Garden, which is laid out in the traditional Mughal style. An impressive flight of stairs leads to the Diwan-e-Am (hall of public audience) which has latticed galleries and double row of columns, each having a capital in the shape of elephants on the top. This hall is laid on the second courtyard. To the right are steps that lead to a small temple of Goddess Sila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult, which was provided to Raja Man Singh when he beat the Raja of Jessore, Bengal in 1604, with massive doors made of silver.
Amer Fort is also home to some underground tunnels that connect Amer to Jaigarh Fort. This Palace, along with Jaigarh Fort, is located immediately above on the Cheel ka Teela (Hillside of Eagles) of the very same Aravalli range of hills. The palace and also Jaigarh Fort is considered one complex, as both are attached by a subterranean passage, built for the royal family members and others during the escape during the times of war, to take them to Jaigarh Fort, which was far safer place.
The gates are embellished with mosaics, which makes them look colorful and grand. Among the main attractions of the fort are Jai Mandir and Sheesh Mahal. While the Sheesh Mahal has walls inlaid with exquisite mirrors, the Jai Mandir, hanging on the upper floor, is a superb blend of Mughal and Rajput style of architecture. This is evident from the elegantly carved Jali screens and stucco work. Jal Mandir has a huge opening which is covered with sandalwood doors. A special feature of this structure is the flow of water through the building, making the entire hall air-conditioned. Sheesh Mahal too, has a special feature. Back then, the entire edifice would glow even at the light of a few candles, such was the architectural brilliance of this specially designed structure. The mirrors used in this palace are convex in nature. It was built during the reign of King Man Singh in the late 1600s.
Other major architectural attractions of the fort include the magic flower, palace of Man Singh and the garden. While the magic flower depicts two hovering butterflies, the palace is known for its pavilion. The walls of Amber fort are adorned with paintings of hunting and war along with precious stones and mirrors set into the plaster. The Maota Lake at the forefront of the fort gives spectacular and beautiful reflections of the magnificent Amber Fort-Palace. Most of the ancient structures of the Middle Ages period of the Meenas have actually been either destroyed or changed. Nevertheless, the 16th-century impressive towers of the Amer Fort and the palace complicated within it built by the Rajput Maharajas are extremely well maintained. And this place is a must visit among other attractions of Rajasthan.
Beautiful ❤️