Place Details:
Built in 1729-1732 AD, the City Palace in Jaipur was where the Maharaja of Jaipur reigned from. The Palace complex also includes the famous ‘Chandra Mahal’ and ‘Mubarak Mahal’. The famous gates to the Palace – the ‘Udai Pol’, ‘Jaleb Chowk’, ‘Tripolia Gate’ and ‘Virendra Pol’ – reflect Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II is known to have shifted from Amer to Jaipur due to water problems and an increase in population in 1727. The city’s architectural design was left to the chief architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. The architect went on to design the City Palace in accordance with the Vaastushastra texts. The ex-royal family still lives in a part of the palace.
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On entering the complex and before the proper palace lies the Mubarak Mahal, the palace of welcome or reception. Maharaja 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).
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The City Palace is a one of the most popular tourist spots in Jaipur and offers a great view of the Pink city.