City Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan

The City Palace in Jaipur is Rajasthans delight. One of the giant formations by Sawai Jai Singh, it used to be the place where the Maharaja reigned from. It is a charm of the Pink City Jaipur that features the kingly abode Chandra Mahal. The first sight you get to see while entering the palace area is the Mubarak Mahal palace. Being a major landmark of the capital city the Palace successfully stands apart from ious forts and palaces owing to its striking art and architecture. Today, a part of the palace serves as the home of royal family. The ground floor and outer courtyards is dedicated to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, open for public eye. It is a place that uncovers Mughal carpets, paintings, rare manuscripts like Bhagwat Gita, Rajasthani miniatures along with Sanganeri prints, Benaras silk sari, Pashmina shawls and the exquisite peacock kept in the area outside the palace. Situated to the northeast side of central Jaipur, the Palace is outfitted with several courtyards and buildings. In spite of the fact that the palace was constructed to Vaastushstra treatise, but its architectural layout resembles to that of Rajput, Mughal & European styles of making. Some famous entry gates of the palace include the 'Udai Pol', 'Jaleb Chowk', 'Tripolia Gate' and 'Virendra Pol'. All these gates as well as the forts are heavily decorated with shining frescos, mirrors and lattice. The City Palace is a very popular tourist hotspot that gives you a rich insight of the Rajput heydays. Housing an art gallery is the Diwan-e-aam, the hall of public audience. Inside the Palace complex is the Maharani's Palace, the palace of the Queen. It puts on show unusual items like Rajput weapons dating back to as far as the 15th century. Some other exhibited items pistols, jeweled swords, small cannons, a belt swords, chain armors, gun powder pouches, etc. However, the most eye-catching of all is the scissor-action dagger.