Explanation on City Palace

City Palace is a beautiful architectural marvel and heritage monument that attracts enormous visitors worldwide. This abode of the royals is in Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. The palace is the perfect example of a mix of Mughal and Rajput architecture and is one of the finest, most opulent, and well-maintained palaces. City Palace served as a ceremonial and administrative seat for the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1949. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built the palace when Jaipur was established. With the palace’s construction, the court was moved from Amber to Jaipur in 1727. The topic provides comprehensive information about the palace, its history, and its architecture. 

History of the City Palace 

• The palace complex is in the capital of the state of Rajasthan in Jaipur. The palace’s construction started in 1727 and continues to be home to the last ruling royal family.
• The palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the 29th Kachwaha Rajput ruler from the Kingdom of Amber. 
• The palace’s construction is part of the history of the city’s foundation and its fortification. 
• After the demise of Jai Singh in 1744, Maharaja Ram Singh sided with the British and established imperial rulers. During this time, all monuments, including City Palace, were stucco painted ‘Pink’ and hence Jaipur was named “Pink City”. 

The architecture of the City Palace 

• The city palace is a vast complex consisting of pavilions, buildings, courtyards, gardens, and temples. The palace includes the Mubarak Mahal (Palace of reception) and Maharani’s Palace (Palace of the queen), the main buildings.
• There are three entry gates for the City Palace. The names of the entrance gates are the Udai Pol, Virendra Pol, and Tripolia (three gates). Contemporary architecture decorates all the gates.
• Sabha Niwas is a hall architecture in Mughal style built for a public audience. The hall has beautifully painted ceilings and cusped arches supported by columns made of marble.
• One of the oldest buildings in the City Palace is the Chandra Mahal. It is a 7-storey building.
• The first two floors are called the Sukh Niwas. 

The third floor is called Rang Mahal with coloured glass work. 

The 4th floor is decorated in blue and white paintings and is called Chhavi Niwas. 

The last two floors are called Shri Niwas and Mukut Mandir.

• Mubarak Mahak is another crucial part of the City Palace, constructed by Lala Chiman Lal. The façade is identical on all four sides with detailed and intricate carvings in white marble and beige stone. It houses the museum offices and library on the first floor.
• The clock tower was inspired by European style and was installed in 1873 to maintain punctuality in court proceedings.

Museums and Galleries of City Palace 

Tourists visit the museums and galleries within the City Palace complex. The complex houses Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II Museum consists of a unique collection of royal costumes, Benaras silk sarees, Pashmina shawls, folk embroidery, clothes of the rulers, and well-preserved Rajput weaponry.  

• Hall of the audience, also known as Sabha Niwas, is a part of the museum gallery. 

The room consists of two thrones at the centre, a set of chairs around in durbar style, and several old paintings. 

It also consists of military medals, polo trophies, and vintage photos from the rule of Man Singh II. 

• The textile gallery in the City Palace is in the Mubarak Mahal. 

The gallery consists of textiles and fabrics that belonged to the erstwhile rulers. 

It displays a robe called Angarakhas that belonged to Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II. It also has polo outfits and cups. 

• Another important gallery from the City Palace is the Sileh Khana. 

The gallery showcases arms and armour used by the Kacchwaha Rajputs. 

The collection includes several swords and arms from the 19th century. 

• One of the newest gallery additions to the City Palace complex is the painting and photography gallery. 

The gallery displays paintings and photographs from the 18th and 19th centuries. 

The museum currently houses around 3,000 paintings with many Mughal paintings, Deccani paintings, illustrated manuscripts etc. 

It also consists of nearly 6050 photographic prints. 

Conclusion 

City Palace is one of the most visited tourist places located in the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur. The palace was built at the same time Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded the city of Jaipur. When the erstwhile king moved the court from Amber to Jaipur in 1727, the palace complex was used as an administrative and ceremonial seat until 1949. The architecture is a beautiful combination of Mughal and Rajasthani styles and some European influence. The royal family still inhabits a part of the palace, while the rest is open for tourists to visit. The palace complex has many buildings, including Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Sabha Niwas and different galleries within the museum.