Located rightly in the middle of old Jaipur, City Palace is stretched to 1/7th portion of the land. The construction of the royal palace dates back to 1732, which still looks fresh and crisp as it always would have been. The entire royal palace is divided into multiple parts including courtyards, gardens, palaces, temples, and more. Even a portion of City Palace Jaipur has also been turned into a museum displaying a great collection of antiques and belongings of the royal families. This beautiful palace represents the glorifying past of the bygone era and rich cultures of Jaipur. Its impressive blend of Mughal and European style of architecture is worth admiring.
The enormous
property represents the rich grandeur and heritage of the royal families who
lived here formerly. Witness the impressive detail carvings on the roof of the
palace. Amazingly, the palace has now become a window that gives the privilege
to peek into the stories of the past and immerse in the real sense of authentic
culture adopted by Jaipur.
History of City Palace –
India’s first
planned city of Jaipur, the idea of constructing this beautiful royal palace
erupted in the mind of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The former maharaja called
the famous Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya and Sir Samuel Swinton
Jacob to design the Jaipur City. Then they infused Mughal and European styles
of architecture with the traditional Rajputi style of architecture. The
construction began in the year 1729 and was completed till 1732.
Architectural Splendor of City Palace –
The splendid
architecture of City Palace shows the marvelous blend of Rajputi, Mughal, and
European styles of architecture. The properties design follows the rules of
Vastu Shastra which is said to be facilitating the art of living and the
atmosphere inside the house. The entire royal palace is structured in Grid style
having four enormous gates to enter and exit, namely Udai Pol, Virendra Pol,
Jaleb Chowk, and Tripolia Gate.
The large palace
complex comprises various palaces, gardens, courtyards, temples, terraces,
balconies, and patios which are beautified by latticework, carved marbles, jail
work, and inlaid ornamentations. The walls reflect the authentic Mughal style
featuring mirrors, latticework, and discrete murals. Pritam Niwas Chowk
uniquely features four gates. City Palace is a major tourist attraction to see
in on Jaipur
City Tour.
Places of attraction in City Palace –
Diwan-i-Aam:
This royal palace was used by the ruling kings to listen to the problems of the
general public. The hall is divided into various segments including darbars,
banquets, and an area covered with Jalis which was used by the royal ladies to
observe the proceedings while being covered. Now it has been turned into a
museum that has a collection of several howdahs, carriages, carpets, and
portraits of the royal family.
Diwan-i-Khas: It
is the getaway to the City Palace having an open courtyard for a private
audience. The entry gate is made from brass and wood following the Rajasthani
and Mughal style of architecture. This is the best places housing two sterling
silver vessels which hold the record for being the largest one in the
world.
Mubarak Mahal:
The name itself depicts, the palace was used to welcome the guests of the royal
family. All the guests were taken here and greeted in the traditional Rajputana
style. The enormous room along with a reception hall is embellished with
frescoes and mural paintings.
Pritam Niwas Chowk:
The palace means the “Courtyard of the Beloved”. It is the centre of attraction
which is the fact that it has four small gates. All the gates represent
different seasons like spring, winter, summer, and autumn.
Chandra Mahal:
It is the present residence of the royal family of Jaipur. The seven-storeyed
monument is widely famous for its floral decoration, mural paintings, carved
ceilings, and mirrored walls.
Best time to visit –
The peak season of
October to early March is the best time to explore the magnificent beauty of
City Palace. During the soothing climate of this season, you can travel to
outdoor places of attraction in the city. Besides, the city enjoys a hot and
dry climate that won’t let you travel around easily.
Other travel information –
Timing:
9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Entry Fee:
For Indian adults – INR 130; For Indian Students – INR 70; For Senior Citizens
– INR 110; For Foreign Adults – INR 500; For Photography – INR 50; and For
Videography – INR 150.
Important Facts about City Palace –
There are numerous
facts about the palaces you would be fascinated after knowing these. Take a
look at these –
· A
part of City Palace has been converted into a museum while the other one is
still used as the residential area of the former ruler.
· The
palace was used by the royal family as their resident called Chandra Mahal.
· With
numerous gates to enter the palace but the four are main.
· The
four small gates in the Pritam Niwas Chowk depict four different seasons of the
year called summer, winter, spring, and autumn.
· There
are 2 sterling silver jars in the palace which hold the world record of being
the World’s largest sterling silver vessel.
Rent
a taxi for Jaipur sightseeing and explore the major tourist attractions
of City Palace and admire its fine or impressive architectural beauty. Along
with City Palace, there are many famous tourist sites to see in Jaipur that
includes Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and more. So, whenever you plan
your next holiday trip to Jaipur, you must not miss exploring the authenticity
of Jaipur.
