Built 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 The dagger was then withdrawn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.
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.
