The rulers of Amber were closely associated with the Mughal court and were major patrons and collectors of painting. Despite this, the identity of the Amber School is less clearly defined than that of other schools, partly because much of its collection remains unpublished and in private hands.
Also known as the Dhundar School, its earliest evidence is found in wall paintings at Bairat in Rajasthan. Paintings are also seen on the palace walls and mausoleum of the Amer Palace. Although some figures wear Mughal-style clothing and headgear, the overall style of these paintings remains distinctly folk in nature.
This school reached its peak during the reign of Sawai Pratap Singh in the 18th century. A deeply religious ruler and passionate patron of art, he encouraged the production of miniature paintings in the suratkhana (department of painting). These included illustrated manuscripts of the Bhagavata Purana, Ramayana, Ragamala, and several portraits.