Places to See in Jodhpur
UMAID BHAWAN PALACE
Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this palace was fascinated with western
lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known Edwardian architect,
Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens (architect
of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and forty seven roomed Umaid
Palace. This was to become India last of the great palaces and the biggest
private residence in the world. Spectacular Central Rotunda, the cupola
rises to a hundred and five feet high; the Throne Room with its exquisite
Ramayana murals; an elegant wood-panelled library, and even a private museum;
an indoor swimming pool, a Billiards Room, tennis courts and unique marble
squash courts makes Umaid Bhawan Palace is unabashedly the most magnificent.
The palace was also built with superficial intentions of providing employment
to famine stricken farmers. The Palace now is a five star deluxe palace
hotel. The museum of the palace is highly recommended for its display of
weapons, an array of stuffed leopards, a huge banner presented by Queen
Victoria and an incredible collection of clocks.
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MEHRANGARH FORT
Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent
fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 but subsequent rulers of
Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries. A meandering road leads
to the from the city 5 kms below. Battle scars of canon ball hit by attacking
armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate. To the left is chhatri
of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot while defending the
fort against the armies of Amber. There are seven gates, which include Jayapol
meaning victory built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories
over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol also meaning victory gate was
built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat of Mughals. The palm imprints
still attract devotional attention and are covered by vermilion paste and
paper-thin silver foil.
JASWANT THADA
On the way down from the fort, on left is Jaswant Thada, the graceful marble
cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. His son Maharaja Sardar Singhji built
the Taj Mahal of Marwar in the memory of Maharaj Jaswant Singhji II of Jodhpur.
The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble
stone that is sculpted by the genius artesian. A visit to this structure
is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura.
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