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Amber Fort (Amer Fort)

Amber Fort (Amer Fort)

heritage site · Rajasthan

Begun in 1592 on the hill above Maota lake, in pale sandstone and marble, and the Sheesh Mahal is what the queue is for.

State
Rajasthan
Type
Heritage Site

Begun in 1592 on the hill above Maota lake, in pale sandstone and marble, and the Sheesh Mahal is what the queue is for. The fort stands over the town of Amer, eleven kilometres from Jaipur, and Maota is not scenery — it was the palace's water supply. Ramparts, a sequence of gates and cobbled ramps carry you up through the courtyards, with the mirror hall off the third. Walk up rather than taking an elephant: the animals here have drawn repeated welfare complaints, and the climb takes about ten minutes. First hour or last hour is when the sandstone turns orange and the courtyards empty.

Amber Fort (Amer Fort) is known for

Sheesh Mahal mirror hallUNESCO Hill Forts of RajasthanOverlooks Maota Lake

A short history

Construction began in 1592 under the Kachhwaha rulers of Jaipur. Inscribed by UNESCO in 2013 as part of the "Hill Forts of Rajasthan" serial site, alongside Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron and Jaisalmer. [Source: UNESCO WHC, whc.unesco.org/en/list/247]

Why Amber Fort (Amer Fort) matters

One of the six UNESCO-listed Hill Forts of Rajasthan, and the single most-visited fort in the state.

When to go

October to March, or first/last hour of daylight to avoid crowds

Why visit

Rajasthan's most-visited fort, famous for the mirror-work Sheesh Mahal and its hilltop views over Maota Lake — arrive early to beat both the heat and the crowds.

How to reach

Amber Fort is about 11 km from central Jaipur, easily reached by taxi or auto-rickshaw. Jaipur International Airport and Jaipur Junction railway station are the nearest air and rail gateways.

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