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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).
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 The dagger was then withdrawn tearing limb from limb of the body of the hapless victim into certain fatality.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”.
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