We decided to visit the Amer Fort (also known as Amber Fort, and Amber Palace insight) at night. The first thing we noticed when approaching, is the huge size of the fort. From a distance the fort is beautifully lit up.
After parking our scooter, walking up in the dark even felt a bit mysterious. On the impressive rampart – the same broad path the elephants back in the days used to take, – all the way up to the huge entrance gate.
Just like the Water Palace, the fort is located just outside of Jaipur. It’s situated on top of the Cheel ka Teela (‘Hill of Eagles’) in the town of Amer, and overlooking Maota Lake (unfortunately not visible in our night photos). This lake is also the main water source of the palace.
Arriving inside the fort, through the Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) at aJaleb Chowk, the primary main quad
The architecture of the fort is inspired by the different rulers over time, with Rajputana and Mughal style and the buildings constructed of red and yellow sandstone, and marble.
The palace consists of 4 levels, each with a courtyard and own entry gate. In this palace, the Rajput maharajas and their families used to live.
Here you see a glimpse of the Jas Mandir (Hall of Private Audience), famous for the floral ceiling a.o. And the Sheesh Mahal or ‘Mirror Palace’ with the reflecting walls: ‘The flame of a single candle, reflected into the tiny mirrors embedded in this chamber, transforms it into a starlit sky’.
A story about the Rajput ruler Raja Man Singh – the initiator of the construction in 1592, – is that this king had not one, but 12 wives. So he built 12 rooms, one for each queen. And in each of these rooms there’s a staircase connected to the King’s room (only to be used by the king himself).
Fragments of the fourth courtyard and the zenana, the women’s quarters. One of the oldest parts of the fort, built around 1599.
Built in the 16th century, the fort is known as one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan. In 2013, the Amer Fort is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with five other forts in Rajasthan.
After our trip we also saw photos of friends who had gone to the fort during the day. In beautiful Indian clothes, and with the fort in the background as a mesmerizing royal (shoot) setting.
We would love to come back one day, do the same and check the grandeur of the historical monument out by day time :).
Amer Fort, Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001
Breuhuys 
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