Amber fort is most amazing and must visit attractions of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jaipur has 3 forts Jaigarh, nahargarh and Amber fort. Almost every tourist to jaipur visit this fort. In terms of tourist amber fort is one of the the most populated place. Located up on the hills that surround Jaipur, the Amber Fort in Rajasthan built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Perched high on a barren ridge, it commands extensive views over a deep narrow valley and the wider plains beyond.

The fort, sprawled along the Maotha Lake, boasts of a massive complex gateways, courts, stairways and pillared pavilions, and palaces that recall the glory and wealth, of Amber's association with the Mughals. This complex was built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, over a period of about two centuries. The front courtyard of the complex, is adorned with the magnificent, pillared hall of the Diwan - i - Am, and the two - tiered painted gateway Ganesh Pol.

The palace of mirrors, Sheesh Mahal, is of special interest. It has walls inlaid with exquisite mirrors. The Jas Mandir, perched on the upper floor, is a superb amalgam of Mughal and Rajput style of architecture, as is evident from the exquisitely carved Jali screens, and fine mirror and stucco work.

Surrounded by the Aravali range covered in scrub and trees, this massive fort has been built over many years across the 15th and 16th century, a bastion complete with pavilions and palaces looking down on the city of Jaipur. It gives a bird's eye view of the entire city. It was the capital of the Kachhwaha rulers for 700 years, till Jaipur was built. Constructed by three successive rulers Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, it took full two centuries to build, much of it in the 1500s. The fort rises above the waters of the Maotha Lake. The Kesar Kyari (saffron garden) lies in the centre of this lake. This fort was a pleasure-palace, a centre of administration and a military stronghold.

Across the entire fort there are fountains, waterways, gardens and courtyards. The ramparts actually go through the mountains for miles. The fort has narrow passages, staircases, ramps and high walls that cannot be easily scaled and windows at the highest levels. The interiors also have small corridors just two feet wide at a slant, leading from one room to the next – kitchen, puja room, weapons room, queen’s chambers covered in jails from where they could watch the proceedings of the court etc. The guide gave us quite a spool as to how the raja built the chambers of his concubines in such a way that the queen would never know which one he was visiting. So the queen could never be jealous.

The fort is entered through the 'Dil-e-Aaram' Garden, laid out in the traditional Mughal style. An imposing flight of stairs leads to the 'Diwan-E-Am' (hall of public audience) which has latticed galleries and double row of columns each having a capital in the shape of elephants on the top. To the right are steps that lead to the small Kali Temple. Maharaja Man Singh was a great devotee of Goddess Kali and prayed to the goddess for victory during battles. The temple has huge doors made of silver. The larger white marble Shila Mata temple, has the image of Goddess Kali, brought by Raja Man Singh from Jessore in East Bengal (now Bangladesh).

Amber fort and palace is a 10-minute steep climb through Jai pol (Gate of Victory), 11 km from Jaipur on the Delhi-Jaipur road. Facilities available for an elephant back ride or a jeep ride up to Amber fort.