Jaipur Forts & Palaces
City Palace
Located in the heart of the walled city, The City Palace Complex gives you an
idea about the farsightedness of the founder of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh. He left
behind a legacy of some of the most imposing and magnificent architecture, art
and craft structure in the city. Sawai Jai Singh built its many buildings but
some of some of the structures were also built by later rulers and some of them
are even dated in the in the twentieth century too. The palace is a blend of
Mughal and Rajasthani architecture and the royal family still lives in a part
of the palace.
On entering the complex and before the palace proper lies the Mubarak Mahal,
the palace of welcome or reception. Sawai Madho Singh built the palace in the
nineteenth century. It was used as a reception centre for the visiting personage.
The building now forms the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and on display
here are a wide array of royal costumes, some very exquisite and precious Pashmina
(Kashmiri) Shawls, Benaras silk saris, Sanganeri prints and folk embroidery.
An unusual display is that of voluminous clothes worn by Maharaja Sawai Madho
Singh I (ruled 1750-68).
The Maharani's Palace, the palace of the Queen paradoxically puts a display
of the Rajput weaponry. The inestimable collections of weapons date back to
even 15th century and are in a remarkable state of preservation. Remarkable
amongst them is scissor-action dagger. This deadly weapon when thrust in bodies
the handles were release to spread the blades. The dagger was then withdrawn
tearing limb from limb of the body of the hapless victim into certain fatality.
Other exhibits include protective chain armours, pistols, jewelled and ivory
handled swords, a belt sword, small and assorted cannons, guns, poison tipped
blades and gun powder pouches. The frescos on the ceiling are amazing and well
preserved.
The art gallery is located in the Diwan-I-Aam, which literally mean the Hall
of public audience. The exhibits here included some very precious and ancient
handwritten original manuscripts of Hindu scriptures. Particularly intriguing
in miniature copies of Bhagwat Gita made in this manner so that it can be concealed
out of sight of Emperor Aurangzeb’s onslaught on Hindu scriptures. Some
very delicate miniature paintings in Rajasthani, Mughal and Persian schools
on various themes including the Ramayana are very engrossing displays. Visitors
must also take a good at preserved painted ceilings. Also on display are elephant
saddles called “haudha”.
Between
the armoury museum and the art gallery is the Diwan-I-Khas meaning hall of private
or selective audience. This is a marble paved pavilion and puts on display the
world largest sterling silver object two gigantic silver vessels. These vessels
were made for Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II, who took in along with him filled
with water from River Ganga for drinking. As a devout Hindu the Maharaja did
not wish to risk polluted English waters. The ceiling also has large chandeliers,
which are mostly protected by dust covers and opened only of festive occasions.
The Guinness Book of Records accounts it has the biggest silver objects in the
world.
The Chandra Mahal Palace is still occupied by the royal family but visitors
can visit the ground floor where some exhibits are on display. However the visit
here is worthwhile for the exquisite Peacock in the courtyard outside. The present
day royal family that takes charge of the museum has done exceptionally well
in preserving this legacy in fine state maintenance and presentation. A visits
to the palace is enlightening one for its extraordinary occurrence.
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