Amber Fort in Rajasthan

Located by the beautiful Lake Maotha in Amber, the Amber Fort was once a principle stronghold of the Kachhwaha Rajputs. The fort was constructed in stages, starting from the late sixteenth century and continuing over the next hundred years. The importance of the fort as a military stronghold diminished when the capital of the region was shifted to Jaipur in the eighteenth century. The allure of the Amber Fort remains, as hundreds of tourists visit the site annually to look at the temples, palaces, gardens, and pavilions within the fort. The Amber Fort lies at the base of the hill on whose peak the Jaigarh Fort is located.

Amber Fort is older than Jaigarh, and has certain parts that are crumbling and falling into ruins. For the most part, however, the fort has been well preserved, and the authorities have done a wonderful job of restoring some of the partially damaged portions. The Old Palace, built in the thirteenth century, has not been able to withstand the ravages of Father Time.

Amber Fort is one of the “prettier” citadels of Rajasthan. While defense was the purpose of construction of this fort, the rulers were not averse to the ornamentation that would add to the aesthetic value of the structure. The result? Visiting the fort is like biting into a custard apple – the unappetizing cover outside reveals something delectable inside.

The exteriors of the fort are not exactly pretty, but the interiors are lavishly done. The palaces are embellished with beautiful etchings and mirrors, turning the interiors into a fairy palace.

The Diwan e Aam, where the king would meet his subjects, is supported by huge carved pillars. Jai Mandir, another lovely structure, is famous for its ceiling embellished with thousands of tiny, glittering mirrors. The Kali Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali, has massive doors of silver. It also has two elephant figurines made of silver.

The Ganesh Pol, one of the entrances into the fort, leads to the royal palace. Once, kings would ride an elephant through this route into their palace; today, tourists are offered an elephant ride through the same route. The Amber Fort is a wonderful place to visit if you have a taste for anything royal.