Amer Fort

Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort is a hill fort located on a high hill in the Amber region of Jaipur. It is the main tourist attraction of Jaipur city, situated at 11 Km towards Delhi. The town of Amer was originally inhabited by the local Meenas, which was later ruled by Man Singh I, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army. He started building this fort in 1592 and was completed by Jai Singh. This palace used to be the residence of the Kachhwaha Rajput Maharajas and their families.

Amer, or Amber, derives its name from the Ambikeshwar Temple, built atop the Cheel ka Teela. Ambikeshwara is a local name for Shiva. However, local folklore suggests that the fort derives its name from Amba, the Mother Goddess Durga.

Made of red sandstone and marble, this charming and grand fort is built on four levels of the hill, each of which has huge courtyards. It is spread in 7 sq km. area. It consists of Diwan-e-Aam i.e. the courtyard of the common people, Diwan-e-Khas i.e. the courtyard of Ministers and special invitees, Sattais Court (Katchehri), Sheesh Mahal, and Sukh Niwas, Palce of Man Singh I etc. This fort and the palace inside are also known for its artistic Hindu architectural style components. This magnificent fort comprises an extensive palace complex, built from pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble and is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. Filled with huge ramparts of the fort, chains of gates and stone paths, the fort overlook the Mawtha Lake, just below the hill.

The cool atmosphere created artificially by the water currents in the Sukh Niwas is pleasant even during the scorching summer season. A temple dedicated to Sila Devi, the goddess of the Chaitanya Panth, is built near the main entrance of the palace within the fort. The Jaigarh Fort, which also is built on top of a hill in the Aravalli ranges, is connected to Amer Fort by a secret hill tunnel route. The lake below is the main source of water supply of the palaces of Amer.

 World Heritage Site

In the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2013, Amer fort along with five other fortifications of Rajasthan has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the mountain fortifications of Rajasthan.

Sun Gate (Elephant’s entry)

It is possible to visit the fortress on elephant- back. As an alternative, one can trudge up to the fort from the road in about 10 minutes.