City Palace - Jaipur
Located in the heart of the walled city, The City Palace Complex gives you
an idea about the farsightedness 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).
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The Maharani's Palace, the palace of the Queen paradoxically 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withdrawn tearing limb from limb of the body of the hapless victim into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, jewelled 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. 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 armoury 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.
The present day royal family that takes charge of the museum has done
exceptionally well in preserving this legacy in fine state maintenance
and presentation. A visits to the palace is enlightening one for its extraordinary
occurrence.
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