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The architecture
is basically secular and draws a
lot on stimulation from the
Mughals, while later day
architecture also embraces
European interiors. These
structures encompass mahals
(palaces), zenanas (women’s
quarters), diwan-I-aam (public
audiences), diwan-I-khas
(private audiences), sils
(galleries), mandir (temples),
bagh (garden) chatris and
ramparts for display and
parades.
Forts & Palaces
Temples
Havelis
|
 Moti
Dungri, Jaipur
In the middle of
Jaipur rises a small
hill Moti Dungri
meaning pearl hill,
because it looks
hill a drop of
pearl. An exotic
palace is parched
which is a replica
of Scottish castle
once occupied by
Maharaja Madho
Singh's son. From
There on remained as
a private property
of the ruling
family. In the
recent past it
served as a home for
Rajmata Gaytri Devi
and her estranged
son Jagat Singh. The
mere view of this
castle is exotic
enough. The
highlight of this
place is the famous
and auspicious
temple of Lord
Ganesh, which is
frequently visited
by almost whole of
Jaipur and people
from outside. |
 Jaigarh
Fort, Jaipur
The Jaigarh fort is
the most spectacular
of the three-hilltop
forts that overlook
Jaipur. In Mughal
times, the Jaipur
region was a major
weapon-producing
centre for the
Mughal and Rajput
rulers, several of
which are on display
in the fort's
museum. It is one of
the few military
structures of
medieval India
preserved almost
intact, containing
palaces, a granary,
a well-planned
cannon foundry,
several temples, a
tall tower and a
giant mounted
cannon-the Jai Ban (Jaivan)
which is the largest
cannon in the world.
Jaigarh Fort is also
known as the fort of
victory. The display
includes a
collection of
canons, many of
which are
exquisitely
decorated and were
used in the Mughal
campaigns led by the
Rajput King, Raja
Man Singh.
Entrance fee to
Jaigarh is Rs. 20
for foreign tourists
and Rs 10 for Indian
tourists. |
 Umaid
Bhawan Palace,
Jodhpur
Maharaja Umaid
Singhji who built
this palace was
fascinated with
western lifestyles
so he marshalled the
services of a
well-known Edwardian
architect, Henry
Vaughan Lanchester,
a creditable equal
of Edward Lutyens
(architect of New
Delhi) to construct
a three hundred and
forty seven roomed
Umaid Palace. This
was to become India
last of the great
palaces and the
biggest private
residence in the
world. Spectacular
Central Rotunda, the
cupola rises to a
hundred and five
feet high; the
Throne Room with its
exquisite Ramayana
murals; an elegant
wood-panelled
library, and even a
private museum; an
indoor swimming
pool, a Billiards
Room, tennis courts
and unique marble
squash courts makes
Umaid Bhawan Palace
is unabashedly the
most magnificent.
The palace was also
built with
superficial
intentions of
providing employment
to famine stricken
farmers.
The Palace now is a
five star deluxe
palace hotel. The
museum of the palace
is highly
recommended for its
display of weapons,
an array of stuffed
leopards, a huge
banner presented by
Queen Victoria and
an incredible
collection of
clocks. |
Fateh Prakash
Palace, Udaipur
It's like being
cocooned in
authentic royal
luxury at the Fateh
Prakash Palace, the
grand heritage
palace of the HRH
group. The warmth of
royal hospitality
greets you as you
walk along the
corridors lined with
large paintings of
the Mewar school
that flourished in
the seventeenth
through nineteenth
century.
The lake facing
suites in the
turrets are suitably
appointed with four
poster beds and
period furniture,
festooned with
maroon velvet
curtains and
delicate silk
tassels. It's a
legacy kept alive
since the early
decades of the
twentieth century
when Maharana Fateh
Singh (period of
reign : 1884 - 1935)
used to be the royal
occupant of this
palace. Till date
the formality of
royal occasions are
maintained. |
 Kumbhalgarh
Fort, Udaipur
Located 64 kms north
of Udaipur in the
wilderness,
Kumbhalgarh is the
second most
important citadel
after Chittorgarh in
the Mewar region.
Cradled in the
Aravali Ranges the
fort was built in
the 15th century by
Rana Kumbha. Because
of its
inaccessibility and
hostile topography
the fort had
remained
un-conquered. It
also served the
rulers of Mewar as a
refuge in times of
strife. The fort
also served as
refuge to the baby
king Udai of Mewar.
It is also of
sentimental
significance as it
is the birthplace of
Mewar's legendary
King Maharana Partap. |
 Lal
Garh Palace, Bikaner
This grand palace is
an architectural
masterwork in red
sandstone, and was
built by Maharaja
Ganga Singh Ji in
the memory of his
father Maharaja Lal
Singh Ji in 1902.
Sir Swinton Jacob
designed this
oriental fantasy.
This architecture is
a fusion of Rajput,
Mughal and European
architecture. The
exterior contrasts
dramatically with
the oriental
interiors and
amenities. The
palace has beautiful
latticework and
filigree work, which
are hallmarks of a
great craftsmanship.
The Palace has an
amazing collection
of well-maintained
paintings and
hunting trophies.
Sprawling lawns with
blooming
bougainvillea and
dancing peacocks
make a visual
extravagance. |
Man Mahal, Ajmer
Raja Man Singh I of
Ajmer built this
largest royal house
in Pushkar Located
on the east of
Sarovar, the sacred
lake. It gives view
of the banks and
temples located
around the lake. It
was built as a royal
guest house for Raja
Man Singh I on his
Trips to the holy
town. This
traditional guest
house has now been
converted into a
hotel. |
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