Amber Fort is located in the town of Amer, a place about 6.7 miles from the Pink city, Jaipur. Owing to its location in Amer, the Amber Fort is also known by the name of Amer Fort. According to historians the first work on the Amber Fort began as early as the 10th century but was completed only in the year 1592 by Raja Man Singh, giving the Amber Fort its present form. This grand fort is perched atop a hill, and if the historian is to be believed, the fort has never been conquered by anybody.

The exterior of the Amber Fort is a bit misleading. In Amber Fort, the full force of the adage, `Do not judge a book by its cover` can be realized. While the exterior of this fort is somewhat rough and jagged, its interior is spellbinding. Inside the Fort, expect to find beautiful palaces and breathtakingly wonderful gardens. The `Diwan-i-Aam` and the `Diwan-i-Khas` patterned after similar halls in Mughal palaces demand special mention. The Dewan-i-Aam was the court where the king listened to the plights of his subjects and met his officials. The king celebrated the various festivals of the land and special occasions like celebration following a victory in battle or the birthday of the king were celebrated in the Diwan-i-Aam. Diwan-i-Khas, on the other hand, had the presence of only special and important people like envoys from other states or the kings themselves.

Any piece of writing on the Amber fort is incomplete without a special treatment of the famous Shish Mahal. A spectacular piece of architecture, the Shish Mahal never ceases to remind us the artistic genius of the then architects and the love for the uncommon of the then kings. Light a candle inside the Shish Mahal and its ceiling glows like a sky full of stars. The mirrors in the Shish Mahal are so dexterously placed that the reflections are multiplied a thousand over exuding a surreal view on the ceiling above.

Amber Fort is one of the most visited forts in India and surely it is not without reason. The enchanting confluence of decorative features found in the Mughal and Rajput styles of architecture can arrest your senses and not let them go for a long-long time. The best time to visit this fort is from October to February. So, make sure the Amber For is on your `To Visit` list the next time you are planning your vacation.