Amer
Fort
At a short distance of 11 kilometers from Jaipur, the
Amer Fort complex is the ancient capital of the
Kachhawaha rulers. One of the finest examples of
Rajput architectures, the palace was originally
constructed by Raja Man Singh and later added with
other buildings by Sawai Jai Singh. Set on a hillside
overlooking a lake which reflects the fort's ramparts
and terraces, the fort complex is composed of the
outstanding buildings and halls, including the
Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public
Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of
Private Audience", and the Sukh Niws, marked by
the channels of water served as the traditional
air-conditioner, providing a cool breeze when the wind
blows.
Other magnificent buildings are Jai Mandir or the
"Temple of Victory" with its sparkling
ceiling of mirrors and splendid inlaid panels and
Mohan Bari or Kesar Kyari in the center of the Maotha
Lake from where one can get a spectacular view of the
palaces; there are also chambers for the queens from
where the women could watch the proceedings of the
royal court in privacy.
City
Palace
A captivating combination of traditional Rajasthani
and Mughal architecture, the City Palace is one of the
most splendid heritages in Jaipur. Within the City
Palace complex, there housed many magnificent
buildings, gardens and courtyards. Across a paved
square lies the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of
Public Audience". To the north-west stands the
elegant seven-storied Chandra Mahal, served as the
residential quarter for the royal family; each floor
is decorated with the lavishly ornaments like
painting, floral designs, mirror walls and ceilings in
the traditional style.
The palace also houses the museum displaying the
fascinating collection of regal items like shawls,
embroideries, silk saris, the maharajas' pajamas, etc.
The art gallery has also a fine exhibit of miniature
paintings of the Rajasthani, Mughal, and Persian
schools as well as the others holy Hindu scriptures,
ahnd-written books in Persian, Sanskrit and early
manuscripts on palm leaves.
Hawa Mahal
Named as "the Palace of the Wind", Hawa
Mahal is the most striking monument in Jaipur in terms
of its design. It was built under an order of King
Sawai Pratap Singh in the 18th century. The broad
pyramidal facade comprises five storeys of semi
octagonal overhanging windows with perforated screens,
domes and spires is designed to be a vantage point for
women in the
court to watch the royal processions passing through
the bazaar on the opposite side. It now houses a
museum with its interesting collection of paintings,
coins, handicrafts and sculptures; the exhibition of
"Jaipur-pat and present" is its highlight.
Jantar Mantar
One among its five other counterparts in Delhi, Ujjain,
Varanasi, and Mathura, Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the
largest and best preserved observatory. The
observatory was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728.
The structure was made of magnificent stone and marble
and designed on the basis of traditional Indian
astronomy; it was served to calculate the precise time
and also to measure altitudes.
Central Museum (Albert Hall Museum)
Set in the vast, impressive Ram Niwas Garden, the
museum houses the exceptional collection of artifacts
and crafts such as metal works, ivory carvings, cane
wood articles and exquisite pieces of jewelry,
textile, pottery and paintings. The museum's building
is characterized by the modern Indo-Saracenic style
designed by Sir Swinton Jacob and was open to public
in 1887.
Jaigarh Fort
The western skyline is dominated by the extensive
walls, watch towers and gateways of the Jaigarh Fort.
It is one of the few military structures of medieval
India preserved almost intact, containing palaces,
agrdens open and covered reservoirs, a granary, an
armoury, a well-planned cannon foundry, several
temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted acnnon-the
Jain Ban, the largest cannon in the world.
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