Discover India's Amber Fort

What Is Amber Fort?

Amber Fort (also spelled Amer Fort) is the crown jewel of Jaipur’s fortifications, a massive Rajput fortress perched on a hillside overlooking Maota Lake, 11 km north of Jaipur city center. Construction began in 1592 under Raja Man Singh I and was expanded over the following 150 years by his successors, particularly Mirza Raja Jai Singh I and Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur.

The fort is part of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan, collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 (source: UNESCO World Heritage List). It blends Rajput military architecture with refined Mughal decorative arts, reflecting the close political alliance between the Kachhwaha Rajputs and the Mughal court.

What Will You See Inside Amber Fort?

The fort is organized around four main courtyards, each progressively more private and ornate. The first courtyard houses the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) with its double row of columns and raised platform where the raja dispensed justice.

The Ganesh Pol, a painted gateway dedicated to Lord Ganesha, leads to the private palaces. Above it lies the Suhag Mandir (Hall of Glory), where the ladies of the court could watch the proceedings below through latticed screens.

The Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) is the fort’s most celebrated room. Its walls and ceiling are encrusted with thousands of convex mirrors and colored glass pieces arranged in floral and geometric patterns. The room was designed so that a single candle would illuminate the entire space through its reflections — our guides demonstrate this effect to mesmerizing results.

The Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure) features a door inlaid with ivory and sandalwood, and an ingenious air-cooling system using wind that passes over a water cascade.

How Should You Plan Your Visit?

We recommend visiting Amber Fort in the morning, starting around 8:30-9:00 AM, before the midday heat and tour bus crowds arrive. The fort has four levels connected by steep ramps, so comfortable shoes are essential. A guided tour brings the stories of each courtyard and palace to life.

Our Jaipur day tour includes Amber Fort as the first stop, followed by Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar. The Golden Triangle 3-day tour visits Amber Fort on the final day.

From Amber Fort, a connecting path leads to Jaigarh Fort on the hill above, which houses the Jaivana — the world’s largest cannon on wheels, weighing 50 tons with a barrel over 6 meters long (source: Rajasthan State Archives).