Places to See in Rajasthan
The City Palace, Udaipur
City Palace towers over the Pichola Lake. Maharana Uday Singh initiated in the
construction of the palace but succeeding Maharanas added several palaces and
structures to the complex retained a surprising uniformity to the design.
The entry to the Palace is from the Hati Pol, the Elephant gate. The Bari Pol
or the Big gate brings you to the Tripolia, the Triple gate.
It was once a custom that the Maharana would weigh under this gate in gold and
silver, which was distributed to the populace.
It is also now the main ticket office. Balconies, cupolas and towers surmount
the palace to give a wonderful view of the lake.
Suraj Gokhada or the balcony of the sun is where the Maharana would grant public
audiences mainly to boost the morale of the people in difficult times.
The Mor Chawk is the peacock square and gains its name from the vivid blue mosaic
in glass of a peacock that decorates its walls.
The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large
and diverse array of artefacts.
Down steps from the entrance is the armoury museum exhibiting a huge collection
of protective gear, weapons including the lethal two-pronged sword.
The City Palace museum is then entered through the Ganesh Deori meaning the
door of Lord Ganesh.
This
leads to the Rajya Angan, the royal courtyard that is the very spot where Maharana
Udai Singh met the sage who told him to find a city here.
The rooms of the palace are superbly decorated with mirror tiles and paintings.
Manak Mahal or the Ruby Palace has a lovely collection of glass and mirror work
while Krishna Vilas display a rich collection of miniature paintings. Moti Mahal
or the pearl palace has beautiful mirror work and the Chini Mahal has ornamental
tiles all over.
The Surya Chopar or the sun square depicts a huge ornamental sun symbolising
the sun dynasty to which the Mewar dynasty belongs.
The Bari Mahal is a central garden with view of the city. Some more beautiful
paintings can be seen in the Zenana Mahal or the ladies chamber, which leads
to Lakshmi Chowk a beautiful white pavilion.
City
Palace, Alwar
The City Palace was built in 1793 A.D. by Raja Bakhtawar Singh. It represents
a intermingling of Rajput and Mughal stvles. It has graceful marble pavilions
set on lotus flower bases in the central courtyard
Once this palace was part of the Maharajas ornate lifestyle and housed, among
other things, a drinking cup cut out of a single emerald in its treasury and
a mammoth, double storied four-elephant carriage in its stables.
Today however the palaces has been converted into the district's collectorate,
and its hall and chambers have a been turned into government offices.
This huge fort with its ramparts stretching 5 km from east to west, stands 304
meters above the city and 595 meters above the sea level, constructed before
the raise of the Mughal empire .Babar had spent a night at this fort and took
away the hidden treasures to gift to his son, Humayun.
Akbar's son, Jahangir had also stayed here for some time during his exile. The
place where he stayed is called Salim Mahal.
Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1775 A.D finally annexed the fort. It is a forbidding
structure with 15 large and 51 small towers and 446 openings for musketry, along
with 8 huge towers encompassing it.
The fort has several gates - Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Laxman Pol,Chand Pol, Kishan
Pol and Andheri Gate. Also there are remains of Jal Mahal, Nikumbh Mahal, Salim
Sagar, Suraj Kund and many temples.
The Museum
The palace Museum has a wonderful collection of exhibits of the personal wealth
of the Maharajas of Alwar and some rare manuscripts including an illustrated
Mahabharata on a 200 -foot-long scroll, Others prize pieces here after illustrated
manuscripts of GULISTAN, SHAH NAMA, and on EMPEROR Babur's life.
There are also some fine RAGAMALA paintings and miniatures from the Alwar, Bundi,
and Mughal school it has an armory section, which has some historic swords belonging
to the likes of Sultan Muhammad Ghori, Emperor Akbar and Aurangzeb.
Lalgarh
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.
Designed by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh, this palace displays a magnificent
blend of Oriental and European style. The terraced lawns and the Bougainvillea
bushes add beauty to the palace. Peacocks stroll around the palace, which has
been partly converted into a hotel.
The intricate filigree work and latticework exhibit the refinements and delicacy
of craftsmanship. The palace museum displays well preserved hunting trophies
and old photographs. The library of the Lalgarh palace is supposed to have the
largest collection of original Sanskrit manuscripts on parchments, copper and
gold or silver plaques.
Built in the memory of maharaja Lal Singh, Lalgarh Palace has a graceful facade
of red sandstone, and is one of Maharaja Ganga Singh’s great achievements.
The maharaja ruled for a period of 56 years. The state especially prospered
under his rule.
In the fort museum which is housed in the red sandstone Ganga Niwas, built during
the reign of Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh, here can be seen a unique collection
of miniature paintings, manuscripts, weaponry and even a world war I bi-plane.
The Lalgarh palace has now been converted into a beautiful hotel. The large
and airy rooms point towards a pervasive British influence, even though the
Welcome group took over it's management in 1993 and made numerous renovations.
The shri Sadul museum forms a part of the palace, and houses vast collections
of books, photographs, manuscripts and albums that span several generations.
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