Amber Fort, also known as Amer Fort) is 11 km from Jaipur, in Rajasthan , India. Built in the 16th century by Raja Sawai Jai Singh I, it was the ancient capital of the Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted to Jaipur. Bordering the Maota Lake, the Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim elements, and its ornate and breathtaking artistic mastery.
“Amber Fort” was initially a palace complex within the original fort of Amber that is today known as Jaigarh Fort. It is constructed of white and red sandstone with the interiors of the fort covered with murals, frescoes, and paintings depicting various scenes from daily life. Other walls are covered with intricate carvings, mosaic, and minute mirror work.

Amber Fort is divided into four sections with access via large staircases from a central location, or from a broad pathway leading to each of the sections which are currently used to transport tourists via an elephant ride. The main entrance of Amber Fort, Surajpol, leads to the Jaleb chowk, the main courtyard of the Fort which in ancient times were used to station returning armies.

Just before the palace entrance is a narrow staircase leading to the Kali Temple, or the  Shila Devi Temple which is known for its two enormous silver lions, silver doors and an image of Ganesha at the temple entrance which is carved entirely from a single piece of coral.Some parts of the fort like the Diwan-E-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) was patterned after similar halls in Mughal palaces, and was used as the court where the Raja gave audience to his subjects and met his officials and also celebrated occasions and festivals like victory in the battle, Dusshera, the Raja’s Birthday, etc.

The “Ganesh Pol” or the “Ganesh Gate” provides access to the inner and private parts of the palace.  Covered with frescoes, it was constructed on the orders of Mirza Raja Jai Singh (1621-67 A.D.). The Suhag Mandir is situated over the Ganesh Pol.  It was used as a chamber by the royal ladies to witness, through lattice screens, the state functions held below in the Diwan-E-Aam.  The palace has two sets of kitchens, the first adjacent to the Bhojanshala (dining hall) which prepared meals for the ruler and his guests dining in the Bhojanshala and the other near the Tripolia Gate, which was meant for the palace staff. Proficient bawarchis (cooks) prepared both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and ovens with multiple mouths were used in the cooking.

Another exquisite part of the fort is the Diwan-E-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience where the Raja met his special guests like envoys, or rulers of other kingdoms, was constructed in 1623 A.D. during the reign period of Mirza Raja Jai Singh (1621-67 A.D.) and took six years in completion. It is also called Jai Mandir or Sheesh Mahal because of the beautiful mirror glass work in it, the glasses being imported from Belgium in 1623 AD.  The upper part of Diwan-E-Khas known as Jas Mandir (Yash Mandir) has intricate floral designs with glass in them.  The Hamams or the baths are located north of Jas Mandir.

The palace was kept cool in the summer by covering its arched openings with screens woven with the roots of the aromatic grass called Khas which were moistened periodically with water and air passing through the screens was thus cooled, and carried also the fragrance of the grass into the palace-chambers. Latrines, used by the Royal family (around 100 of them) are situated between the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and the Man Singh Palace and were supplied with both hot and cold water and lit by torches at night.
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The queen-mothers and the Raja’s consorts lived in the Zenani Deorhi which also housed their female attendants.   The royal ladies often had estates assigned to them, the management of which was also carried out from here. Tunnels used to conceal movement or to allow of escape during a siege are to be found quite commonly in the palaces and forts of the medieval period. Lying on the western side of the palace, the Amber Palace tunnel which is subterraneous till a point near the Rang Mahal and connects it roofless, up to Jaigarh.

There are three underground storage tanks in the palace located under the Jaleb Chowk, Diwan-E-Aam and the Man Singh Palace  where rainwater was collected and stored in the storage tanks in palaces and forts to meet their daily requirement for water and being stored underground, the water would remain potable for a period longer than usual and evaporation losses were lower. Chand Pol or the moon gate was the main gate of entry for the commoners and the upper storey of the gate is called the Naubatkhana which housed  kettle drums and other musical instruments.