Study on Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal means “water palace” and is known for its unique architecture in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber built the magnificent palace and splendid architecture in 1750. The beautiful palace is a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture with intricate detailing in the interior. The palace is located in the city of Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. One of the interesting things about Jal Mahal is that it is a 5-storey building out of which 4-storeys are submerged underwater, and only the top floor is above water level. The 200-year old palace is one of the intriguing and unique monuments protected by the government. The article gives insight and comprehensive information about the lake, its unique architecture and its rich history.

History of the Palace 

• The original palace was constructed in 1699. However, in the 18th century, there were renovations done to the palace and the lake surrounding it by Maharaja of Amber Jai Singh II. 
• Jal Mahal was constructed on artificial Man Sagar Lake. The lake was constructed by damming the Dravyavati river in 1610. 
• The palace is surrounded by the Aravalli hills and was initially built in 1596 AD for special reasons. The famine in the 15th century was the reason for the construction of Jal Mahal. The construction of the dam was to collect water coming from the mountains. The artificial lake was built with three inner doors underwater. 
• The palace was built and used by the King to spend time with their Queen and celebrate special occasions. It was built in the middle of the lake to keep it cool. 
• Maharaja Jai Singh II was the 29th Kachwaha Rajput ruler from the Kingdom of Amber. He was the founder of Jaipur city and was responsible for fortifying it. 

Architecture and Structure of Jal Mahal

• The Rajput style architecture is a common style in Rajasthan, and the palace is one of the finest examples of such architecture. 
• Jal Mahal is built in red sandstone and is a 5-storied building out of which four floors remain under the water. Only the top floor is visible when the lake is full. 
• The palace is spread across a huge surface area of 300 acres and has a maximum depth of 4.5 metres. 
• The palace was renovated by Jai Singh II in the 18th century adding 21 intricately carved columns. The garden on the roof of the place is known as Chameli Bagh. 
• There are octagonal cenotaphs located on all four corners of Jal Mahal. The semi-octagonal towers built at each corner of the palace have a cupola, a small dome-like structure. 

Restoration Work of the Palace 

• Due to waterlogging, the palace and its structure suffered from damage. The restoration work for Jal Mahal started in the 2000s. The restoration work was done using traditional materials like lime, sand, and a combination of jaggery, guggul and methi powder. 
• The restoration work was taken over in 2004 by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, which signed an agreement with the Jal Mahal Resorts. The 99-year lease was given to the KGK Group of Companies for restoration and management. 
• The approved total area for restoration and development was 432 acres, including the 300 acres of the lake and Jal Mahal. 

Tourism in and around Jal Mahal

The state of Rajasthan is known for its heritage and monuments basking in the glory of the former Rajput rulers. The area around the palace is known as bird watchers’ paradise. After the restoration of the palace, the palace was lit up and illuminated through the night. It is home to several migratory birds, including pintail, kestrel, flamingo, pochard, Great Crested Greb etc. Boat rides are currently stopped, and general entry to Jal Mahal is closed for protection. However, the managing group initiated the tourism project with the development of the Convention Centre and Art Gallery, Resorts, Arts and Craft Village, food courts etc., around Jal Mahal.  

Conclusion 

The 200 year old palace built in Rajasthani architecture is a sandstone palace and is known for its unique design and construction. Jal Mahal was initially constructed in the 16th century due to the occurrence of famine in the area. The ruler of Amer built a dam for the collection of water for the locals and hence led to the construction of the artificial Man Sagar Lake. The palace was later renovated in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a 5-storied building out of which 4 floors remain submerged in the water whereas the top floor remains afloat above the water level. The palace was used by King Jai Singh II to spend time with his queen and celebrate royal occasions. The contamination of the water and damage to the monument has led to restoration and leasing out the management in a public-private venture.