Jaigarh Fort

While Jaipur’s Amber Fort more closely resembles a palace, Jaigarh Fort is a military fortress in the true sense of the word. The fort and its walls winding along the cliffs was built in 1726 to protect the Amber Fort below. Since the fort was never captured, it remains one of the best-preserved fortresses from medieval India.

Climb to the top of the Diwa Burj watchtower for sweeping views of the Amber Fort and the surrounding city. If time permits, explore some of the many temples built within the fort grounds, some of them dating back to before the fort’s construction. The fortress grounds contain the world’s largest cannon on wheels called Jaivana. The 20-foot (6-meter) and 50-ton cannon was only fired once, and it took 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of gun powder to do it.

To save time traveling to and from Jaipur proper, combine your Jaigarh and Amber Fort visits. Either make the 20-minute climb on foot or hire a taxi outside Amber Fort. Be wary of the sizable monkey population within the fortress grounds.