City Palace – The Cultural Heritage Landmark of Jaipur, Rajasthan, Part 1

The Complex

The City Palace, Jaipur was established at the same time as the city of Jaipur, by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who moved his court from Amber to Jaipur in 1727. The cultural heritage landmark of Jaipur was until 1949 the ceremonial and administrative seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The City Palace was also the hub of variety of religious and cultural events. The massive palace includes numerous buildings, courtyards, galleries, pavilions, gardens, temples and offices. A part of the palace has now been converted into the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, although it continues to be the official state home of the Jaipur royal family. The Jaipur royal family members manage the museum and other institutions that run from the palace.

Palace complex today is divided into two parts; namely museum and royal family quarters. The palace architecture is an amalgamation of Rajput, Mughal and European style. The palace lies at the centre of the city of Jaipur, and was built at a spot that was previously the royal hunting lodge of the Jaipur royal family. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1699-1744); as his capital Ambers’ population increasingly suffered from water shortage; he planned the Jaipur city in an area that had enough source of water. He planned the new city along with construction of City Palace on the basis of principals of Vastushastra, under architectural guidance of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, a Bengali architect from Naihati in West Bengal; an accounts-clerk who was later made chief architect of the new city of Jaipur.

Expansion

After Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II’s death in 1744, not much progress was made in expansion of the city. However, Maharaja Ram Singh II, who sided with Britishers during 1857 uprising is credited with building most of the structures of City Palace to their current size. He also painted the city ‘Pink’ in honor of Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII on his visit to the city, and since then Jaipur is known as “Pink City”. Maharaja Man Singh II, the adopted son of Maharaja Madho Singh II, was the last Maharaja of Jaipur to rule from City Palace. However, City Palace, continued to be the royal family residence even after Jaipur state as merged with the Indian Union in 1949 along with other princely states of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner.

The City Palace is a cultural heritage landmark of Jaipur city, and is the most visited tourist spots in the city. The City Palace complex has numerous building that are most preferred by the tourists. These include the Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple, and the City Palace Museum. Govind Dev Ji temple, is dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Krishna. The palace complex has numerous entrance gates; built by various rulers during 18th, 19th and 20th century. These richly decorated gates, display contemporary architectural styles prevalent at their time. These gates are Rajendra Pol, Udai Pol, Virendra Pol, and the Tripolia. Tripolia or three gates, are entry gates of the City Palace; reserved for the entry of royal family. Commoners and visitors can enter the palace complex only through Virendra Pol and Udai Pol.

Buildings

Udai Pol leads to the Sabha Niwas or Diwan-e-Aam or public audience hall. Virendra Pol leads to Mubarak Mahal courtyard, and then to Sarvato Bhadra or Diwan-e-Khas through Rajendra Pol. Sabha Niwas stands out for its’ multiple cusped arches supported by marble columns and beautifully painted plaster ceiling. The jalis on southern end of the hall were used by women in the past to observe proceedings, while observing purdah. Sarvato Bhadra is known for its unique architecture. It is a square single-storeyed open hall, with enclosed rooms at four corners. Diwan-e-Khas or Hall of Private Audience, was used by the ruler to hold court with state officials and nobles in a more private space.

One of the most important ritual buildings in the palace complex, Diwan-e-Khas is located between public areas and private residences of the royal family. It is still used by the Jaipur royal family for important functions like coronation rituals for Maharajas of Jaipur, celebrations of royal festivals like Dusshera. During festivals like Gangaur and Teej, the image of the goddess is placed in her palanquin (palki) in the centre of the hall, before it is taken out in a procession through the city. During Makar Sankranti, paper kites belonging to Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II are displayed in the centre, and the buildings’ roof is used for flying kite by the royal family.

The highlight of Diwan-e-Khas are two huge sterling silver vessels on display called ‘Gangajalis’. These were commissioned by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II; to carry drinking water from river Ganga on his trip to England in 1902 for King Edward VII’s coronation. Each vessel of 1.6 metres height and weigh 340 kgs with capacity to hold 4000 litres of water. They are made from 14,000 melted silver coins without soldering. The vessels are registered in Guinness Book of World Records, as the world’s largest sterling silver vessels.

The western side of City Palace towards Pritam Niwas Chowk leads to the inner courtyard, through the Peacock Gate (Mor Pol) and the Rose Gate (Gulab Pol) providing access to the Chandra Mahal. The Chandra Mahal. Is accessible through four small gates adorned with themes representing four seasons and Hindu gods. The gates are Northeast Peacock Gate representing autumn and dedicated Lord Vishnu; Southeast Lotus Gate representing summer and dedicated to Lord Shiva-Parvati; Northwest Green Gate or Leheriya gate, representing spring and dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and Southwest Rose Gate representing winter and dedicated to Goddess Devi.

Inside the City Palace complex, the seven floored Chandra Mahal is one of the oldest buildings. The first two floors are called Sukh Niwas, next two floors are called Chhavi Niwas, and last two floors are Shri Niwas and Mukut Mandir. Mukut Mandir, has the royal standard of Jaipur, (to be continued)

• Upload Plagiarism Report:
  Title: plag report 1]-da8b3f08
  Caption: plag report 1
  Description: plag report 1