This famous fort, which is also called “Amer Fort and Amer Palace,” was built by Raja Man Singh built this fort in 1592 was renovated later by Raja Jai Sigh. It is located 11 kilometers from Jaipur and was Jaipur’s (formerly known as “Dhundar”) capital from the 11th to the 16th century during the rule of the Kachhwahas.
Amer Fort/Palace with its Hindu-Muslim architecture is an old structure that hasn’t lost its appeal through the centuries. This edifice built in red marble and sandstone has the splendor of Maotha Lake for a backdrop. The famous landmark of Jaipur boasts of several prominent structures, such as the “Sheesh Mahal,” “Diwan-i-Aam,” “Sukh Mahal,” as well as the “Shila Devi” Temple and the ‘Ganesh Pol,” which is the entrance way to the private palaces.
Main Attractions in the Amer Fort
- Sheesh Mahal: This is also referred to as “The Mirror Palace,” considered to be the jewel of the Amer Fort. This private palace of the maharaja and his maharani offers a magnificent sight. Its colored glass and mirror mosaic make it look like a dazzling jewel box fit for its royal occupants. The glass wall and ceilings have intricate flower designs with two butterflies and seven other unique embellishments – a lotus, a fish tail, an elephant trunk, hooded cobra, cob of corn, a scorpion, and a lion’s tail.
- Diwan-i-Aam/ Diwan e-Khaas: This “Hall of the Public Audience” or “Diwan-i-Aam is intended for meeting subjects. Its entrance is called the Lion Gate or Singh Pol, a raised dais with 27 colonnades, which open on three sides. The “Hall of the Private Audience” or Diwan e-Khaas is intended for special guests and friends and is known for its elaborate glass mosaic.
- Sukh Mahal: This is the “Pleasure Palace” located across the garden, which is made up of ivory and sandal wood. Aside from the proximity of the beautiful garden, this structure is known for its cool air that is artificially created through a simple engineering system of perforations in the marble walls that run through the hall. The breeze makes it possible to keep the interiors cool to the skn, despite the hot airs outside.
- Shila Devi Temple: The temple is the shrine for the deity for the warring Rajput Kachchwaha, the goddess Maa Kali, the incarnation of Shakti or The Great Divine Mother of Universe.” It opens with intricately carved silver doors, which bears images of the nine incarnations of Shakti and the ten incarnations of Goddess Sati.
- Ganesh Pol: The image of the elephant-headed god (Lord Ganesha) is the point of interest In the massive and popular “Elephant Gate” on the south side of the courtyard. This three-story festooned gate, built in honor of the Mughal emperors with Rajput architectural influence, leads to the secluded apartments of the royal family. It depicts the Hindu traditions with its curved gate, which has been painted with vegetable dyes.
- Mughal Garden: Mughal Garden, also known as “Kesar Kyaari” meaning “saffron fields,” is famous for its star-shaped flower beds (where kings used to plant saffron) with a fountain on its midst. It lies between two palaces – Sukh Niwas and Sheesh Mahal. It is a hexagonal grade with four paths connecting it to the fort, which is why it is also referred to as “Charbagh.”
The Elephant Ride Experience
You can get to the fort on foot; it will all be worth it. But you can also get there like a royalty on an elephant mount. It would be quite an experience, while you are at it! You can mount the elephant from a raised dais and sit securely in a special seat designed as the stately animal clamber its way up the bulwarks of the fort. The ride up is managed by a mahout using an ankush to guide the gentle animal on its way up the ramparts. The elephant ride is also very colorful as the mahouts bedeck them with colored chalk and powders to make ornate floral and geometric designs.
Other Attraction in Amber Fort
There are many other attractions you’ll find in the Fort, according to 20 Things To View in Amber Fort such as:
- Jaleb Chowk: This is a place where soldiers gather upn their return from the border.
- Jai Mandir: This a “… double floored and covered with white marble pavilion which overlooks the third courtyard garden , The Aram Bagh.”
- Char Bagh Garden: “It has lais out in four-quartered style favored by the Mughals. In Char garden we can enjoy panoramic views of the Pink City.”
- Surabhi restaurant: This is place you can go to enjoy Chinese, Indian, Rajasthani and European cuisines.
- Turban Museum: The entrance is free in this museum that houses the world’s biggest collection of turbans.
- Zenana Quarters: This is a private quarters for the women members of the Royal family. It is accessible from the Tripolia gate.
- Other temples: “… Jagat Siromani temples, Narsingh temple, Panna Mian ki Baodi…”
Other Tourist Attractions in Jaipur
- Jaigarh Fort: This was built by Sawan Jai Singh II, straddling the ‘Cheel ka teela’ hills and connected to the Amer Fort via an underground passage. It is said to contain valuable treasures.
- Aravalli Hills: These stretch “… from Kotra in the northeast to Khetri in the southwest” are among the most ancient mountains of the world. They provide security to city of Rajasthan. Today, these are popular sites for trekking and rock climbing.
- Vijaygarh Fort: This fort, also called Cheel Ka Teela, was erected to render security to Fort Amer. Its most notable features are the canon on wheels, cave paintings, rock inscriptions, perennial ponds, and numerous statues.
With all these, there is no denying that the years have not diminished the beauty of Amer Fort. It is indeed the crowning splendor of Jaipur.
