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The history of Amber Fort was concerned with various Rajput kingdoms, and had at various times faced the armies of the sultans of Gujarat, the Marathas, and the Mughals. No wonder its architecture, like that of other Rajput palaces, consists of narrow passages and staircases that can be defended by a single swordsman, ridged ramps to allow the cavalry to move within the fortifications, high walls that cannot be easily scaled, and windows at only the highest levels. While the exterior is forbidding, the interiors are lavished with decoration since the kings and especially the women, spent almost all their time within the fortified palaces.
Amber Fort is approached through the grand Singh Pol (Lion Gate) towards the Jaleb Chowk.
From here, there are two flights of steps, one leads to the Shila Mata Temple, and the other to the main palace complex. You can reach the palace on foot or by elephant ride or by any vehicle.
From the top of the fort, a
spectacular view of the gorge and the land surrounding hills can
be seen. There are sprawling complex of courtyards, halls,
palaces and apartments separated by several gates.
The palace complex has various
courtyards,
gateways, gardens,
halls,
stairways,
pillared pavilions, temples,
palaces and apartments separated
by several gates. Some of the famous architectural marvels in the complex are the Diwan-E-Khas, the Sheesh Mahal, the Jai Mandir with exquisite mirror work, the Diwan-E-Aam, the Sukh Niwas, the Shila Mata Temple, Kali temple and the Kesar Kyari, a well laid out garden. The Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with images of the god Ganesh is the pride of the palace.
The painted façade of the gate
with its arcades shows a rich harmony of Hindu and Mughal
styles.
Also a part of the complex is the Diwan-E-Aam or hall of the public audience with its spectacular display of pillars. The typical merging of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles is captured in the Sukh Nivas and Jas Mandir apartments, and the Charbagh garden with its perfectly proportioned landscaping. Several other gardens and pavilions within the fort offer enough scope for investigating medieval lifestyles at leisure. Inside the fort are the Zenana or the women apartments and frescoes
with Krishna Leela scenes. These are private chambers from where the royal women could watch the proceedings of the royal court in privacy.
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