Amber Fort, Military palace in Jaipur district, India
Amber Fort is a fortified compound on a hill above Maota Lake in Jaipur district, India, built from pale sandstone with marble inlays. The site includes several levels with walled courtyards, residential quarters and reception halls connected by steep ramps and stairways.
A regional ruler began construction in 1592 to create a secure seat of government on the hilltop. The compound remained the administrative capital until 1727, when the administration moved to the newly founded city of Jaipur.
The name comes from the Ambikeshwar Temple on Cheel ka Teela, dedicated to a local form of Shiva; local folklore instead links it to Amba, another name for Durga. Near the Ganesh Gate stands the Shila Devi temple, whose image Raja Man Singh received after defeating the Raja of Jessore in 1604. Animal sacrifice there, once practised by the royal family, was stopped in the 1980s.
A narrow 4WD road climbs to the Suraj Pol, the fort's main gate; jeep rides up are now considered more ethical than elephant rides. The site is about 11 km from Jaipur near National Highway 11C. Sturdy footwear helps on cobbled paths and stairways between the courtyards.
An underground passage connects the compound to nearby Jaigarh Fort and allowed for secret movement during conflicts. Rainwater from a cistern also supplied the interior gardens and provided drinking water for those living inside.
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