City Palace Travel

Introduction

City Palace, Jaipur is one of the major attractions in the city. Visiting Jaipur and not exploring City Palace is like overlooking a precious gem. City palace is actually a palace complex that boasts of being the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur during its young age. This is one of those palaces that are still used by royal family as their residence. Contribution of this finely designed architecture goes to different rulers. Apart from Sawai Jai Singh II, his successors also contributed to give it the look that spell-bound every visitor till date.

History

This royal palace has quite rich history. The palace is still used by the royal family as residence. Built in 1729-1732, the palace was the imagination of Sawai Jai Singh II. He shifted his capital in 1727 from Amber to Jaipur as a solution to increasing population and the rising water shortage. This palace complex played a wide role in giving Jaipur another name which is Pink City.

Architectures and developments

The basic building is a contribution of Sawai Jai Singh II the founder of Jaipur. The city is as old as the City palace. Sawai Jai Singh II built a palace in Jaipur to get over the problems of increase in population which was giving birth to other basic need crises, shortage of water. The ruler moved in the city and announced Jaipur as the capital city. Later additions were made by his successors in 20th century. The palace complex is appreciated by the visitors for its impressive courtyards, manicured gardens and structures. The palace is a fine blend of the Shilpa Shastra of Indian architecture which includes Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture.

Sites and structures

Virendra Pol and Udai Pol near Jaleb chowk can be described as entry gate to the palace for visitors. The Tripolia Gate (triple gate) is reserved for the royal family only. Virendra Pol leads to the Mubarak Mahal which looks amazingly beautiful.

Mubarak Mahal is actually now converted into a museum that houses royal formal costumes, sanganeri block prints, embroidered shawls, Kashmiri pashminas and silk saris. Voluminous clothes worn by Sawai Madho Singh I are also kept in this museum. He was around 1.2 meters (3.9 ft.) wide and weighed around 250 kilograms. Another interesting fact about Sawai Madhosingh I is he had 108 wives.

Chandra Mahal is a seven-storied building in the City Palace. All these floors have different names which are Sukh-Niwas, Ranga-Mandir, Pitam-Niwas, Chabi-Niwas, Shri-Niwas and Mukut-Mandir or Mukut Mahal. This is the most impressive building in the complex. Tourists can explore only ground floor as rest part of the Chandra Mahal is used by the royal building. Ground floor has a museum that displays different royal artifacts that belong to royal family.it has peacock gate and screened balconies.

Pitam Niwas Chowk is the inner courtyard that leads to Chandra Mahal. One can see four small gates Northeast Peacock Gate, the Southwest Lotus Gate, the Northwest Green Gate and the Rose Gate.

Diwan-I-Khas is the next attraction of City Palace. It was private audience hall. Two huge sterling silver vessels also catch the eyes of the visitors. Each has a capacity of 4000 liters and weight 340 kilograms. All these are well decorated and worth exploring.

Diwan-I-Aam, Sabha Niwas, Maharani Palace, Bhaggi Khana and Govind Dev Ji temple are some other attractions in the palace.

How to reach

Reaching City Palace is not a difficulty for anyone. Easily accessible by road, the palace is a sparkling feather in the crown of attractions in Jaipur.