THE
CITY PALACE, JAIPUR
Is
the citadel of the Kachchawah Rajput rulers of Jaipur. It
occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur and is
wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Largely
Sawai Jai Singh had constructed the walls of the Palace.
Constructions and additions to the palace continued till
twentieth century. The museum houses an extensive
collection of rare manuscripts, Mughal and Rajasthani
miniatures, Mughal carpets, costumes and textiles, arms
and weapons, objects of art and royal paraphernalia. The
pair of giant silver Gangajalis displayed in the open
Sarvatobhadra, building were fabricated in the court
workshops for Sawai Madho Singh ji to carry holy water of
Ganges to England. These are mentioned in the Guinness
Book of World Records as the largest silver objects in the
world.
The City Palace is an
imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art
and architecture. The City Palace complex houses several
palatial structures. The first building in it is Mubarak
Mahal, built by Kaharaja 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".
Across a paved square lies the Diwan-e-Aam, or the "Hall
of Public Audience". To the north-west is the stately and
graceful seven storeyed Chandra Mahal, the residence of
the ex-ruler. Each storey has a distinctive name and is a
place of sheer beauty and luxury. Paintings, floral
decorations, mirror walls and ceilings in the traditional
style adorn the palace. The uppermost storey is called the
Mukut Mahal.
Opposite the chandra Mahal lies the Baldal Mahal. The
Govind Devji temple stands inthe middle of the Chandra
Mahal and Badal Mahal. A delightful system of fountains is
placed in the middle of the paved path between the Chandra
Mahal and the Badal Mahal. The palace has extensive and
sprawling gardens.
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