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Jaipur
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Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from
Agra and forms the most chosen tourism golden triangle of Delhi, Agra
and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all
the trapping of modern metropolis but yet flavoured strongly with an
age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The old Jaipur
painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop
of ancient forts Nahargarh, Amer, Jagarh and Moti Dungri are dramatic
testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering
romance.
Jaipur is named after its founder the warrior and astronomer sovereign
Sawai Jai Singh II (ruled 1688 to 1744). The decision to move out of his
hilltop capital Amer was also compelled by reasons of growing population
and paucity of water. Moreover in the early seventh century the power of
the great Mughals was dwindling with its aging |
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Monarch Aurangzeb and after several
centuries of invasions the north was now quite and the wealth of the
kingdom had become greater than before. Seizing upon this opportune
time Jai Singh planned his new capital in the planes. Jaipur
is a corroborative
effort of Sawai Jai Singh's strong grounding in sciences and astrology
and a Bengali architect Vidyadhar with a strong instinct for planning.
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”.
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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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 |
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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. |
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Jantar Mantar
Across the road from the palaces is the famous JANTAR
MANTAR one of the five observatories in India . Built by
Sawai Jai Singh, this is one of the largest and the best
preserved. A passionate hobby of the king in the field of
Astronomy, numerology, insighted him to execute this
observatory and with the help of skilled labourers, they
managed to create a collection of complex astronomical
instruments chiselled out of stone and most of which
continues to provide accurate information to this day. The
most striking instrument is the Brihat Samrat yantra
Sundial, an imposing yellow edifice to the far right of the
observatory complex which has a 27m high gnomon arm set at
an angle of 27degree.The shadow this casts moves up to 4m in
an hour, and aids in the calculation of local and meridian
pass time and |
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various attributes of the heavenly bodies, including
declination the angular distance of a heavenly body from the
celestial equator and altitude. This highlight of the
observatory has made it a centre of attraction for the
tourist visiting Jaipur. |
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Albert Hall
Located just outside the walled city is the sprawling
Ram Niwas garden, which has always been a place for
recreational activities since the reign of Sawai Ram Singh
ji . This exquisitely designed garden with forcentry doors
and a huge complex with small pools and fountains,
flourishing lawns and beautiful flower beds all around was
basically a famine relief project. It mostly attracted the
British families where they entertained their guest and
families quite often with the lavish gowns of the Men and
formal colourful attires of the nobels and the high society
club members, this park would come alive with the setting
sun. Their individual 'BAGGIS' were parked outside in a line
and the attendants served around as helpers. The children
basically had a gala timely playing around in 'JHULAS'(swing)
etc. During day time it |
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was opened for the common public and by the evening it was
opened for common public and by the evening it was available
for exclusive lots.
Situated in the middle of the garden as a centre attraction
was the exquisitely built structure of Albert Hall, which
was designed by sir Swinton Jacob, a British architect who
designed many palaces in Rajasthan. Combining the elements
of English and north Indian architecture known as the pride
of the New Jaipur opened in 1887 AD, it is a very well
maintained and impressive building displaying a rich
collection of Art- de- fact like paintings, carpet, ivory,
stone and metal sculptures and colourful crystal works etc.
Just opposite the Albert Hall is one of the oldest ZOO in
the country, harbouring different species of birds and
animals. Another piece of attraction near the Albert Hall,
is the Ravindra Rang Manch (theatre) with a modern art
gallery and an performing art theatre both indoor and open
air. Recently added joints of interest are streets dotted
with food stalls which promises a delicious variety of
Indian fast food certainly relished by the tourists. |
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Hawa Mahal
In the middle of Jaipur rises a small hill Moti Dungri
meaning pearl hill, because it looks hill a drop of pearl.
An exotic palace is parched which is a replica of Scottish
castle once occupied by Maharaja Madho Singh's son. From
There on remained as a private property of the ruling
family. In the recent past it served as a home for Rajmata
Gaytri Devi and her estranged son Jagat Singh. The mere view
of this castle is exotic enough. The highlight of this place
is the famous and auspicious temple of Lord Ganesh, which is
frequently visited by almost whole of Jaipur and people from
outside.
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JAIGARH FORT
The Jaigarh fort is the most spectacular of the
three-hilltop forts that overlook Jaipur. In Mughal times,
the Jaipur region was a major weapon-producing centre for
the Mughal and Rajput rulers, several of which are on
display in the fort's museum. It is one of the few military
structures of medieval India preserved almost intact,
containing palaces, a granary, a well-planned cannon
foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted
cannon-the Jai Ban (Jaivan) which is the largest cannon in
the world. Jaigarh Fort is also known as the fort of
victory. The display includes a collection of canons, many
of which are exquisitely decorated and were used in the
Mughal campaigns led by the Rajput King, Raja Man Singh.
Of the Jaipur's three forts, Jaigarh is perhaps the most
motivating. It does not have |
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those delicate structures or palaces like that of Amber but
if you want a quick look at a hard-core fortress, this is
it. Jaigarh means `Victory Fort' and was built between the
15th and the 18th century, and stands 15 km from Jaipur,
amidst rock-strewn, thorn-scrub covered hills, its
forbidding stone ramparts are visible from the Jaipur town.
A steep road goes up to the main gate, the Dungar Darwaza,
from where the view is stupendous. |
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Nahargarh
Fort
Nahargarh Fort is located on the sheer rugged ridge of
Aravali Hills and it forms an impressive northern backdrop
of Jaipur. It looks most classy when floodlit at night. The
fort overlooks the city and presents a glittering view of
the city lights. It was built in 1734 and extended in 1868.
Nahargarh meaning abode of the tigers was built by Jai Singh
to bolster the defence of Amber. The legend also have it
that it was named Nahargarh after Nahar Singh a prince whose
spirit would destroy the construction and not allow its
progress further. So after a tantrik prayer to the spirit it
agreed to leave on condition that the fort is named after
him. The Madhavendra Bhawan, built by Sawai Ram Singh II has
uniquely a cluster of 12 identical suits for queens and at
the head is a suit for the king himself. The rooms are
linked by corridors and retain some delicate frescos as well
as toilets and kitchen hearths. It |
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was used by members of the royal family for excursion in
summers and is now even a favoured picnic spot. Durg
Cafeteria just above the entrance sells meals and
refreshments, while Padao Restaurant on the west sells
drinks around sunset. |
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Amber
Fort
Amber (pronounced Amer) is situated about 11 kilometres
from Jaipur and was the ancient citadel of the ruling
Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted in
the plains to present day Jaipur.
The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a
fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by
Sawai Jai Singh I the fort is made in red sand stone and
white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner
paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture.
Amber is the classic and romantic fort- palace with a
magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts
expressive painting scenes with |
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carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. In the
foreground is the Maota Lake providing a breathtaking look.
Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the
heavily structured walls could defend the residents within
the ramparts of the fort.
All the means of survival & luxuries for the royal families
and the people who were concerned with the functioning of
this small kingdom of the Kachhawas were well provided. The
Rajputs who had apparently won a small structure passed on
by Meena tribes, later on renovated it into the grand Amber
Fort. Holding a history so old as 7 centuries, this place
vibrates with its legendry past, in the archaeological
history. Although many of the early structures have been
literally ruined but at the same time, those dating from the
16th century on are remarkably preserved by sincere efforts. |
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