Amber Fort

Amber Fort’s Sheesh Mahal was designed so that a single candle would fill the chamber with reflected light – a 16th-century special effect that still works

The Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) in Amber Fort, just outside Jaipur, is one of the more remarkable interior spaces in Rajasthan. The walls and ceiling are covered with convex mirror fragments and semi-precious stone inlays in patterns that, when lit by a single candle or flame, multiply the light through thousands of reflections simultaneously. The effect was intentional: it was built for the Maharaja and his queen, a private space designed to simulate starlight indoors. The technical sophistication of 16th-century Rajput craftsmanship is easier to grasp here than through any amount of description.

Amber Fort itself was founded in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, a military general of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and expanded by successive rulers over the following century. It served as the royal residence of Jaipur’s rulers until 1727 when the capital shifted to the new planned city of Jaipur in the valley below. The architecture represents a deliberate fusion of Rajput and Mughal traditions: Hindu temple elements like intricate lattice screens and carved columns alongside Islamic arches and geometric patterns. This was not simply aesthetic preference – it was a material expression of the political relationship between the Rajput kingdoms and the Mughal empire.

What to See

The Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) and Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) are the ceremonial spaces where the ruler conducted official business. The residential quarters beyond give a sense of how the court actually functioned day to day. The Ganesh Pol gateway, the ornate entrance to the private royal apartments, is one of the finest pieces of painted decoration in Rajasthan – the paintings cover every surface in the gateway passage.

Maota Lake at the base of the hill reflects the fort on its surface in the morning light. The approach from the lake gives the standard postcard view of the fort’s yellow sandstone terraces rising above the water.

Elephant Controversy

Elephant rides up the fort’s ramp were historically the tourist standard at Amber and remain available. Animal welfare organisations including PETA have documented welfare concerns about the working conditions for the fort’s elephants, including injuries from overwork and inadequate rest time. The Rajasthan High Court has periodically ordered restrictions on elephant use. If the issue matters to you, jeeps are available for the same ascent and the fort is also accessible on foot. The question of elephant tourism ethics at Amber is not settled and you should make your own informed decision.

Around Amber

Jaigarh Fort sits directly above Amber on the ridgeline and was the military stronghold protecting it. The Jaivana cannon in Jaigarh’s armoury, cast in 1720, is said to be the world’s largest wheeled cannon – 20 feet long, weighing about 50 tonnes. Whether it was ever fired in anger is debated. The view from Jaigarh across the valley and toward Jaipur is better than the view from Amber.

The 1135 AD restaurant inside the fort complex serves traditional Rajasthani food in a setting appropriate to the name. The Oberoi Rajvilas hotel near Amber is the luxury option for the area. Jaipur itself, 11 kilometres south, has a full range of accommodation at every price point; most visitors base themselves in the city and visit Amber as a half-day trip.