The capital city of Rajasthan is home to so many treasured gems of history. In fact, the Pink City was given the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Such is the opulence of Jaipur’s royal history that the city gets a title so prestigious. With the amount of historical forts and palaces in the city, it makes total sense. The old city center of Jaipur is dotted with monuments and buildings. They’re not only pivotal from just a historical perspective, but are also absolutely stunning landmarks of various styles of Indian architecture. There’s loads of fantastic hotels and homestays that only make it more pleasant to visit Jaipur. So here’s a list of some of the most amazing forts and palaces in Jaipur you could explore:
The Palaces Of Jaipur
Jaipur City Palace
The official residence of the Royal Family of Jaipur. It is among the many other palaces that the royalty built. The city palace is perhaps the most important of the lot. The Jaipur City Palace also houses a museum of all the weapons and ammunition that were used in the many wars the Rajput kingdom fought in.
Jaipur City Palace is also known for its great architecture. The architectural style is a fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture. This is what makes the complex so captivating for anyone who visits. Just as it is the case with most forts and palaces in the city, visiting the site is also a unique experience in itself.
Hawa Mahal or The Palace of the Winds
The Hawa Mahal was built as an extension to the Zenana, which was the women’s chamber of the royal palace. This stunning palace is a building made up of five storeys. It boasts of a spellbinding exterior of a honeycomb, with 953 small windows called jharokhas, that are dotted across the five storeys of the building. These jharokhas are decorated with incredible latticework.
The palace extension was built for the royal women to obey the purdah, which forbade them from making public appearances without covering their face. The Hawa Mahal was a way for the royal ladies to observe the day-to-day life in Jaipur, without flouting the rules of the purdah. With its many honeycomb windows, the Hawa Mahal remains one of the most pleasant buildings in Jaipur, due to the venturi effect caused by the jharokhas. This is something which allows cool air to pass through.
The Hawa Mahal sits just at the end of the City Palace, and is best explored together. This is one of the best parts of visiting the city. There are so many forts and palaces in Jaipur that it becomes easier to kill two birds with one stone.
Jal Mahal
One of Jaipur’s most popular monuments is the Jal Mahal Palace. This 300-year-old palace stands right in the center of the Man Sagar Lake. You may draw comparisons with the Jal Mahal with the Udaipur Lake Palace too! But the unfortunate fact is that entry to the Jal Mahal is forbidden thanks to the government declaring it a protected region.
However, there’s enough around it to explore. You can gaze upon the magnificent palace on a boat or take a stroll along the pathway surrounding the Man Sagar Lake.
The Forts Of Jaipur
Amber Fort
No doubt this is the most popular fort in the capital city. The Amber Fort in Jaipur sits atop a hill, overlooking the Maota Lake. From the top of the fort, your eyes are treated to really great views of the lake and the garden. The fort is built in a combination of red sandstone and marble. Amber Fort’s architecture beautifully blends Mughal and Rajput architectural elements to depict the flamboyance of the Rajput kings.
Between 8 AM and 5:30 PM, the fort remains open to visitors. The fort organizes a laser and light show in the evening, which is an absolutely must visit time to experience a phenomenal spectacle!
Nahargarh Fort
This fort is known to be a part of the triumvirate of forts (others being Amber and Jaigarh) that provide a strong defense of the capital. Of the forts and palaces in Jaipur, Nahargarh Fort is one of the most biologically diverse forts in all of India. At one point, it was also a popular summer retreat of the Rajput kings.
The biodiversity of the fort can be spotted in its name. The hill on which the fort is located is called, ‘Cheel ka teela’. It stands for the hill of the eagles. At the same time, Nahargarh translates into ‘abode of tigers’. The fort’s complex houses a lot of palaces like the Madhavendra Palace, along with temples and gardens. The Nahargarh Biological Park and Zoo is also housed within the forest that surrounds the fort.
Visiting here is bound to provide you an interesting perspective into the rich wildlife that surrounds the region. Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur has arguably the best views of the city, and it’s a place you must visit during your time in Jaipur.
Jaigarh Fort
The Jaigarh Fort was built to store weapons and ammunitions for Rajput wards that were initially stored at Amber Fort. It is the highest of the three forts to see in Jaipur. Based atop a hill in the Aravallis, Jaigarh Fort provides an unobstructed view into the Amber Fort complex and its gardens. Jaigarh Fort also provides great views of the other hills and lakes, and is quite unique in more ways than one.
Jaigarh Fort holds the distinction for having the largest cannon in the world. The Jaivana Cannon was built within the premises of the fort and is said to have been used in multiple battles. Just like the Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh Fort is also renowned for its lattice work windows, through which you can experience the sweeping views of the region.
Summing Up
So in conclusion, forts and palaces in Jaipur are aplenty, with each of them being unique and distinct in their own ways. Even with the number of monuments in Jaipur, you could visit it all and there would still be more to do. You could spend a day at Chokhi Dhani, a village resort that provides an insight into the intricacies of the Rajasthani culture, or gawk at the relevance of the 18th century Jantar Mantar, that set out to discover the secrets of the universe. In simple words, there’s so much to experience. Go see for yourself!
FAQs
How Many Palaces Are There In Jaipur?
There are over 10 palaces in Jaipur, each with its own unique charm and architectural style. You can also stay in some of them, and get a taste of the royal life in Rajasthan!
Which Fort Is Famous In Jaipur?
The 16th-century Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh, is among the most famous forts in Jaipur. The other famous forts are the Jaigarh Fort, which has the one of the largest cannons in the world, and the Nahargarh Fort, which is resplendent in its biodiversity.
What Is Famous In Jaipur?
Palaces And Forts – Jaipur has over 10 palaces and three forts, and the sheer beauty and imposing nature have put them on the tourist radar. Among the most famous are the Hawa Mahal, the Jaipur City Palace, the Amer Fort and the Jaigarh Fort.
Textiles – The Pink City, much like the rest of the state, has a thriving textile scene with clothes in vibrant colors.
Museums – Being a city with such a vibrant culture and valiant history, it’s only obvious that Jaipur would have museums too. Don’t miss a trip to the City Palace Museum, the Dolls Museum and the Jawahar Kala Kendra.
Jantar Mantar – The Jantar Mantar is an open-air observatory that is home to about 19 architectural astronomical instruments. Of all the forts and palaces in Jaipur, Jantar Mantar is hands down the most complex and mind-bending site. It is a supremely fascinating experience that you must not miss. You can read more about the Jantar Mantar and all of its marvels here.
