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City Palace Jaipur
Contents
- Overview
- [+] Visitor Quick Facts
- [+] Historical Quick Facts
- History
- Myths or Facts
- Architecture And Structural Description
- Things To See
- Nearby Attractions
- Other Information
[ Edit ] Overview
The City Palace of Jaipur, originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II and expanded upon by his successors, is an impressive blend of Rajasthani and Mughalai architecture. While much of this vast palace complex has been converted into a museum, the former Maharaja and his family still lives within the premises. The legacy of some of the most magnificent architecture, arts and crafts of the Rajput culture is displayed at this palace and it’s museums.
Like the Old City itself, the City Palace is impressive in its design with built with a series of courtyards with gardens and buildings. the City Palace contains several impressive structures. They include: Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple, and the City Palace Museum.
Occupying the heart of the city that Maharaja Jai Singh II created, the City Palace has been home to the rulers of Jaipur since the 18th century. Today, the complex is open to the public as a museum.
Visitor Quick Facts
[ Edit ] Famous For
The City Palace of Jaipur is famous for providing a window into the splendid history and culture of the Rajputs with an impressive collection of miniature paintings, manuscripts, Mughal carpets, royal costumes, weaponry, and musical instruments.
[ Edit ] Location
Jaipur, Rajasthan and close to the Hawa Mahal in the heart of the old city.
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
The best months to vist Jaipur are between October to March. If you are comfortable with the rains, June to September can also be decent months to visit Jaipur.
[ Edit ] Days of Operation
The Jaipur City Palace Museum is open daily, except on public holidays.
[ Edit ] Hours of Operation
The Jaipur City Palace is from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
[ Edit ] Entry Charges & Fees
Entrance Fees to City Palace in Jaipur are as follows:
- Indians: Rs. 35
- Foreigners: Rs. 180
- Camera Fees: Rs. 50
- Video Camera Fees: Rs. 200
Historical Quick Facts
[ Edit ] Type
Palace / Heritage
[ Edit ] Architecture
The Jaipur City Palace uses a beautiful blend of Rajasthani / Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture.
[ Edit ] Construction Period
The City Palace Jaipur was originally constructed in the 18th century (around 1727) and built upon by the successors of Maharaja Jai Singh II.
[ Edit ] Built By
The City Palace (Jaipur) was originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II and expanded upon by his successors.
[ Edit ] History
[ Edit ] Myths or Facts
Interesting myths and facts regarding the City Palace Jaipur:
- Maharaja Jai Singh II's original fort / palace was at the Amber Fort (11 kms away). However, with a growing population, and scarcity of water, he chose to move his capital to the present location of Jaipur. Jaipur was India's first planned city and the City Palace and its security, was an integral part of the design. Jaipur itself was designed with the help of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, a Brahmin scholar of Bengal, who relied on Hindu architectural principles and astronomy, to propose his plans to the king.
- A devout Hindu, Maharaja Madho Singh II would only drink the water of the River Ganges when he travelled. In the courtyard of the Diwan-I-Khas are two giant sterling silver vessels - the largest in the world according to the Guiness Book of World Records. These vessels were specially made for the Maharaja to carry the Ganges water for him to drink on his trip to England in 1901.
[ Edit ] Architecture And Structural Description
The City Palace Jaipur complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and palatial buildings.
[ Edit ] Things To See
- Chandra Mahal: Chandra Mahal, or the “Moon Palace” is a 7 storey building. Each of the 7 floors of this palace has a specific name based on its function and is extravagantly decorated. Unfortunately, this building is closed to the public as it is the home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur. However, one can still visit the ground floor where some exhibits are on display and there is an exquisite crafted peacock in the courtyard.
- Mubarak Mahal: Mubarak Mahal, or the “Auspicious Palace”, has a magnificent gateway with a grand door in brass opening. Built in the nineteenth century, Mubarak Mahal was used as a reception centre for the visiting personage. The first floor of this sandstone building is now the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and houses an impressive collection of royal costumes and textiles. Included on display here are a wide array of royal costumes, some very exquisite and precious Benaras silk sarees, pashmina hawls, Sanganeri prints and folk embroidery. Also on display is the voluminous clothes worn by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I (ruled 1750-68).
- Diwan-I-Khas: Diwan-I-Khas or 'Hall of Private Audience' is an open marble paved pavilion / hall with a double row of columns with scalloped arches. The two giant urns on display here are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest silver objects in the world. They were used to carry water from the Ganges for personal use of Maharaja Madho Singh II on his journey to England in 1901. Being a devout Hindu, he did not wish to risk polluted English waters. The ceiling in the Diwan-I-Khas also has large chandeliers which are unfortunately mostly protected by dust covers and displayed only of festive occasions.
- Diwan-I-Aam: Diwan-I-Aam, which literally mean the “Hall of Public Audience”, has now been converted into an art museum. It houses miniature paintings, carpets, manuscripts, a silver throne, and ivory elephant saddles (“houdha”). The exhibits include some handwritten manuscripts of Hindu scriptures - intriguing because the miniature copies of Bhagwat Gita were made in this manner so that they could be concealed from Emperor Aurangzeb’s onslaught on Hindu scriptures at that time. You will also find delicate miniature paintings in Rajasthani, Mughal and Persian schools on various themes including the Ramayana. The well preserved painted ceilings also grab ones attention. Also on display are elephant saddles called “haudha”.
- Armoury: The Armoury puts on display an impressive collection of the Mughal and Rajput weaponry including protective chain armours, pistols, jeweled and ivory handled swords, daggers, swords, cannons, guns, and poison tipped blades among others.
- Ridhi Sidhi Pol: Ridhi Sidhi Pol has four small doorways decorated with motifs depicting the four seasons
[ Edit ] Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions to the City Palace of Jaipur include:
[ Edit ] Other Information
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