City Palace, Jaipur

City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the far sightedness about the founder of pink city, Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh. He left behind a legacy of some of the most imposing and magnificent architecture, art and craft structure in Jaipur. Jai Singh built the outer walls but its many buildings were built later and some of them date in the twentieth century too.

The first building in it, is Mubarak Mahal, built by Maharaja Madho Singh. It has a beautifully carved marble gate with heavy brass doors on either side of this gate. Beyond this gate, lies the 'Diwan-E-Khas' or the 'Hall Of Private Audience' with a marble paved gallery. Across a paved square lies the 'Diwan-E-Am' or the 'Hall Of Public Audience', with its intricate decorations and manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit. There is also a clock tower and the newer Mubarak Mahal. To the north-west is the stately and graceful seven-storeyed Chandra Mahal, the residence of ex-ruler. The seven-story Chandra Mahal is the centrepiece and commands fine views of the gardens and the Jaipur city.

The complex contains an excellent museum, an armoury and several fine halls. The apartments are maintained in luxurious order and the museum of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II has an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamelware and old weapons.

Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal of jaipur, palace of wind, is a very great building and the most wellknown symbol of Jaipur. The Palace has been build on 1799 from Maraja Sawai Pratap Singh in the tipical Rajput architecture style, for the ladies of the royal household to look out to the outside world without breaking purdah and has been build in the middle of the old city.  A couplet ascribed to Sawai Pratap Singh, a poet and a devotee of the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, suggests that the monument was dedicated to them. However, the most widely accepted conjecture is that it was a viewing gallery for the ladies of the royal household. Sitting in the cool, airy interior of the Hawa Mahal, they could watch the goings-on below while remaining hidden themselves. The carved screen balconies meant that the windows caught even the slightest whiff of breeze, making the ladies comfortable as they watched the royal parades and processions.

Ram Niwas Garden

This garden planned by Maharaja Ram Sigh in the 19th century as a famine relief project, this extensive heritage park consists of a zoo, aviary, herbarium, museum and sports complex. An added attraction is the Albert Hall, designed by Sir Swinton Jacob, a British architect who created palaces for many rulers in Rajasthan. The Hall is home to an exquisite collection of sculptures, paintings, objects d’art, natural history specimens, an Egyptian mummy and a beautiful Persian carpet. Recently, the Rabbinic Manchu with an auditorium, a modern art gallery and an open-air theatre, has been added to promote cultural events.

Nahargarh
The Nahargarh Fort was developed in 1734. Today it's part of heritage forts of rajasthan and used more as a picnic spot because it provides a beautiful view of the jaipur city below. If you ask anyone what the biggest travel attraction, entertainment place or the jaipur attractions, the unanimous answer will be Nahargarh. Besides, Jaipur is very affordable compared to other big tourist cities in Rajasthan.

Jaigarh Fort

Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur Rajasthan Whenever Man Singh I (late 16th century) or his successors warred and won gold, silver, jewels and other booty, they hoarded it in the Jaigarh Fort. And they had the loyal Minas to fiercely guard their haul. (In fact, legends tell us that the Minas were such strict guards that they let each new Kachhawaha king to enter only once and pick one single piece for him from the dazzling pile!) Anyway, all this treasure paid first for building Amber, then Jaipur and for centuries of lavish living. Indian Government officials tried to retrieve whatever was left; they dug the place in 1976 but found nothing.

The fort was sealed for seven years, due to a rumour, that an enormous treasure in gold was buried, in the fort area. The fort houses several palaces, gardens, a granary, an armoury, temples, and most significantly the Jai Ban, the largest antique canon, in the country.

This fort is perched on a cliff and is surrounded by huge battlements with inside walkways offering stunning views on all sides. The World's largest cannon on wheel, Jaivan, are to be found here. Also of interest is the intricate water supply and storage system, which is considered a marvel of planning. The fort has its museum and provides some excellent view of Amber Fort also called Amer Fort. Situated in the north of Jaipur, the Jaigarh Fort has more or less same structure as of Amber Fort. The fort also houses a beautiful museum and gives breathtaking views of Jaipur below and Amber Fort.

The Location of the Fort

Jaigarh or the 'Fort of Victory' is perched on Chilh ka Tola (Hill of Eagles), 400 feet above the Amber Fort. The walls of the fort are spread over three kilometers. Once you enter through the massive south facing Doongar Darwaza, you'll instantly get a tangible feel of Rajput romanticism. And if you're lucky, Thakur Pratap Singh, a handsome Rajput with a fine moustache will be around to tell you stories of Jaigarh's illustrious past. The other entrance to the fort is through the Awani Darwaza in the east.

Main Attractions of the Fort

The Huge Cannon

Jaigarh Fort is a remarkable feat of military architecture. After you enter, head straight for the gigantic cannon Jaivan perched on top of a tower. Weighing 50 tons with an 8m barrel and a trajectory of about 20km, it is said to be the world's largest cannon on wheels. Such was its might that it took four elephants to swivel it around on its axis. But surprisingly (and thankfully!) it was never used.

Despite its awesome firepower, it has delicate scrollwork of birds, foliage and a roaring elephant at its mouth. Jaivan was test-fired once by Jai Singh in 1720 when the cannon ball landed at Chaksu about 38km away! And the impact of it was so enormous that a lake formed at the spot and many houses collapsed in Jaipur. The cannoneer died immediately after the firing, before he could even jump into water.

Amber Fort Jaipur

The sprawling Amber Fort is a typical example of what the lives of our gallant Rajputs were like – militant, adventurous, temperamental and also self-indulgent. It is among the best hilltop forts in India. Within the stern exteriors that seem to grow out of the rugged hills are mighty gates, temples, huge ornate halls, palaces, pavilions, gardens and even a ramp to take you to the hilltop palace! And guess who climbs the ramp? Elephants. Yes, beautifully- caparisoned elephants go up and down carrying visitors to and fro.

These well cladded elephants make a joyride to Amber fort and in turn makes your travel to Amber fort a fascinating experience. This some thing which you cannot afford to miss in any Rajasthan itinerary. Just 11 Kms from Jaipur, Amber fort is a splendid fort constructed in a scenic locale. Being a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, Jaipur attracts travelers from around the globe. Built in 16 the century by Raja Man Singh, the fort stands as a proud reminder of the exotic building skills of the artisans of the yesteryears. This fort from yore days unfurls the legacies of the time when the august rulers imagined the unmatched craftsmanship.