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Located in the heart of the
walled city, The City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the
fars ightedness
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 paradoxicall y
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then withdrawn tearing limb from limb of the body of the hapless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, jeweled 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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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 armory museum and the art gallery is the
Diwan-E-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.