City Palace, Jaipur

About City Palace

Located in the heart of Jaipur's Pink City, the City Palace is a historic royal complex built after 1727 CE by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh was the founder of Jaipur and ruler of the Kachwaha dynasty. The palace served as the administrative and ceremonial seat of Jaipur's rulers, and portions of it remain with the former royal family. Spread over approximately 14 acres (about 5.7 hectares), this complex is of great cultural, architectural and tourism importance. It displays a fine blend of Rajput, Mughal and early European influences, reflected in courtyards, stately homes and ornamental gates, which are a mark of royal authority and thoughtful urban governance.

Architecture of City Palace

The City Palace was designed by two renowned architects, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya and Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. Construction began in 1727 CE during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and continued through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries under the Kachwaha rulers. Twenty-two kings contributed to its construction. Constructed mostly of red and pink sandstone, these buildings feature intricately carved stonework and exquisite wall paintings. The City Palace complex spans a large area, encompassing one-seventh of Jaipur's old city. The palace's layout reflects the balance of royal order and the world, with ceremonial spaces arranged along axial paths.

• Mubarak Mahal serving as a reception and costume gallery
• Chandra Mahal forming the royal residential quarters
• Pritam Niwas Chowk with decorated seasonal gateways
• Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas audience halls
• Multiple internal courtyards and ornamental gardens

Interesting facts about City Palace

• The palace complex follows the original city grid planned by Jai Singh II.
• The most famous monuments inside the complex include Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and City Palace Museum.
• Maharani Palace or Queen's Palace is also located in the City Palace complex where many ancient Rajput weapons are depicted
• Ivory swords, chain weapons, guns, pistols, cannons, poison tip blades and gun powder pouches are also kept on display in the museum here. Caesar action is the most notable weapon among all of them. Some of these weapons date back to the 15th century.
• Entry for the audience is through Uday Pol and Virendra Pol while members of the royal family use the Tripolia Gate.
• The most impressive part of the City Palace is the third courtyard with four small gates representing the four seasons of the year..

How to reach City Palace