Palaces and forts of Rajasthan

Palaces and forts of Rajasthan

Palaces

 

Palaces are the most important foci of tourist’s interest in Rajasthan. Most of the palaces form a group of magnificent edifices of granite, marble and sand stone and are erected on a solid high natural plinth. These dignified buildings present a real view of the finest specimen of Rajput art and architecture. They contain a hall of mirrors, a big meeting hall, coronation room, entertainment compartment, Ranwas (compartments for Ranis) sleeping room, guest room and a religious spot for their own divine deity nearby.

 

Sculpture, painting and architecture attended their high mark in these princely mansions. Amongst, Maharana's palaces of Udaipur, situated on the western extremity of the city with the lake Pichhola at their background, present a thrilling view before a tourist. Along the shores of Pichhola, the snow-white balcony, promontories, esplanades, quay, pillars, windows, ornamental arches, huge high straight walls and decorated domes offer a lovely sight to the visitors. They are described by Fergusson as 'resembling Windsor in their thickness and boundaries’.

 

The principle centres of attraction are beautiful peacocks in various styles in mosaic on the walls, floors inlaid with tiles of charming and rare design and roof garden with huge trees, therefore, and affording enchanting views of the panorama below. Two islands of Udaipur in lake Pichhola have crowned the beautiful gem like palaces viz. Jagmandir and Jagniwas. Jagmandir is famous in history as an asylum to Prince Khurram, later on emperor Shahjahan, after he revolted against his father Jahangir. It is believed that this palace inspired Prince Khurram to construct the Maharana's. Again Fergusson observed that they are luxury hotel, happened to be the summer palace of the Taj on a grand scale. Jagniwas, now a purely modernise unmatched in the world. In his words, 'I know of nothing that will bear comparison with them anywhere’?

 

The palaces of Amber, the City Palace, the Residency palace, Hawa Mahal, the Chandra Mahal of the Maharaja’s of Jaipur are the best specimen of Rajput architecture. Inside these palaces are the best quaint paintings, floral decorations, museum of weapons, and mirrors. According to Aldous Huxely, They surpass even the famous mirror room at Bagheria near Palermo.

 

Amber Palace is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Its terraces and ramparts are reflected in the Maota lake below. Within the Palace are the Diwan-I-Am. Jaisingh's Palace with carved pillars, the extensive wall paintings, the Sukh Niwas, Jai Mandir and Kali temple.

 

Amber fort, Jaipur

Hawa Mahal was elaborately designed by Lal Chand Ustad for use by the royal family during summer. Because of its airiness, it is known as Hawa Mahal i.e. the palace of air or winds. Air in Rajasthan called Hawa. The lovely and durling pyramidal loam of this seven storeyed building in pink masonry, peculiar and exquisite arches with double uncovered foils domed pavilions, attracts large number of tourists and is really a source of enjoyment, especially to visitors and tourists. The Hawa Mahal was immortalized by Sir Edwin Arnold as a vision of darling and dainty loveliness a very mountain of airy and audacious beauty. Jaipur City Palace contains the seven storeyed edifice of Chandra Mahal. Inside the palace there are quaint paintings, floral decorations and beautifully fixed mirrors.

 

The Chhitar Palace of Jodhpur is also an exotic piece of fine art within which armoury, collection of old manuscripts and paintings, tiger heads, beautiful tank, and the like are the main centres of attraction. Because of the Chhitar sandstone used in building, it is popularly known as Chhitar palace whereas it was built by Maharaja Ummed Singh in 1930-40 and is named after him.

 

Lalgarh Palace or Red fort was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja LalSingh. It is an imposing edifies of carved red sand stone and is characterised by its marvellous lattice work.

 

Ganga Niwas (Bikaner): The specious Darbar Hall is a recent building. It is probably the only building in Rajasthan with a ceiling of carved wood, while the interiors faced with richly carved red sand stone.

 

Gopal Bhawan (Deeg): The garden palace was created by Raja Soorajmal which Fergusson puts it wants the massive character of the fortified palaces of other Rajput States, but for grandeur of conception and beauty of detail, surpasses them all'. It is the most outstanding example of the Mughal architecture in its last phase.

 

Phool Mahal (Bundi) or the Flower Palace has banquet rooms and halls decorated with a large collection of hunting trophies. Besides these, Nikumbha Mahal, Suraj Mahal, City Palace of Alwar; Moti Mahal of Bharatpur; WoodenPalace of the Maharaja of Jhalawar, Palaces of Bundi etc,are beautiful in their own way, appearance and grandeur.

 

Forts.

 

The chief lure of the tourists lies in the forts of Rajasthan which crowned every hill top and possess straight positions in the different parts of the state. The rulers and the chiefs of the different erstwhile states of Rajputana constructed such huge and gigantic forts encircled by wall with strong gates to safeguard their own estate from the periodical devastations and battles inflicted by the plunders and outside enemies. Most of these forts contain a palace, meeting place, religious spot of the divine deity, arsenal, and treasury for the use of feudal family. Among the famous forts of Rajasthan are Chittorgarh, Ranthambhor, Bhainsrodgarh, Kumbhal-garh, Gagron, Mandalgarh, Nahargarh, Taragarh, Jaigarh,Amber, Jodhpur, Lalgarh (Bikaner), Deeg, Alwar,Jaisalmer, Bharatpur, Hanumangarh, Bundi, Sajjangarh and Rajgarh fort. Among these, Chittorgarh, Bharatpur,Kumbhalgarh, Jodhpur and some other forts are worth-mentioning.

 

The historical fort of Chittor, celebrated in the annals of Mewar and situated 111 kms, to the east of Udaipur, is richly reminiscent of the age of Rajput velour and chivalry. Among the many objects and architectural pieces of wonder are Jai Stambha (the tower of victory),Kirti Stambha, Palaces of Rana Kumbha, Palace of Padmini, Palaces of Jaimal & Patta (celebrated warriors)etc.

 

Bharatpur fort or Lohagarh fort or Iron fort is invincible because of its sandy ramparts strengthened by sandy battlements before which most modern guns proved futile. The British armies had to withdraw for four times due to the unconquerableness of the fort.

 

Kumbhalgarh fort stands on a craggy mountains and commands a fine view of the Aravallis and the sandydesert in Mewar. It was only this fort on that the rulers of Mewar always turned their eyes when Udaipur become unsafe and chittor untenable.

 

Jodhpur Fort(Mehrahgarh) is most striking magnificent and enchanting in India. It gives a superb view of the whole Marushthali. The fort was named as Maherangarh whichmeans the majestic fort. This fort crowns or isolated perpendicular cliff paternally guarding the city below with the grandeur of the yester years.

 

Junagarh Fort (Bikaner) was built by Raja Rai Singh which is encircled by a moat and contains various palaces, made of red sandstone and marble wit kiosks and balconies.

 

Jaiselmer fort - Jaisalmer Fort, also known as the Golden Fort, is a magnificent fortress located in the city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India. Built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, a Rajput ruler, it stands proudly on Trikuta Hill, overlooking the golden sands of the Thar Desert.

Taragarh Fort(Ajmer) was built by Raja Ajaipal who founded Ajmer, on a hill. It is a rectangular fortress. Itis also known as Garh Beetlli because it stands on Beetlihill.

Ranthambhor fort, situated on isolated rock, is symbolic of solidity and strength it displayed on many occasions. There are remains of a palace, a few temples and cenotaphs, besides a number of tanks and reservoirs within its ramparts. The thick jungles around abound in game of all kinds. With these and a host of other attractions, forts of Rajasthan attract many visitors.

 

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