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The Jaigarh Fort is the most imposing and spectacular fort that overlooks Jaipur. It is famous for the Jaivana canon, considered the largest canon in the world. The fort was built by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1726 to protect the Amer fort. The fort named after its builder, is also known as the fort of victory because it has never been conquered. Jaigarh stands amidst thorn-scrub covered hills with the steep road going up to the main gate, Dungar Darwaza. The fort is situated on Cheel ka Teela (Eagle’s Hill) of the Aravalli mountain range overlooking the Maota Lake and Amer Fort.
Jaigarh, along with Amer Fort, is considered as one complex. Jaigarh is connected by a subterranean passage with Amer which was meant as an escape route in times of war for the royal family to escape in times of war. The fort is one of the few military structures built in medieval India that remains intact even today. The fort stands preserved with palaces, granary, canon foundry, many temples, a tower and the main attraction of the Jaigarh Fort, the Jaivana canon which is the largest canon on wheels.
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The fort is three km long and just over a km wide with heavily fortified walls made of red sandstone. There is a well maintained square garden within the fort. There are embankments in every corner that slope down to give access to the upper lever of the structure. There is a watch tower in the middle of the fort complex that is on a raised platform which is an excellent place to get a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The Aram Temple and garden in the courtyard on the northern end of the fort has a triple arched entrance that is known as the ‘Awani Darwaza’. This triple arched gate was repaired recently and provides beautiful views of Sagar Lake.
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The fort was a major centre for cannon production during Mughal era and many of the manufactured weapons are now on display in the museum inside the premises of the Jaigarh Fort. The magnificent gateway with the colossal fortified wall features Indo-Persian architectural style. There are two other temples in the fort premises too – Ram Harihar Temple of 10th century and Kal Bhairav Temple of 12th century.
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