Quick Reads - The City Palace, Jaipur

The City palace, Jaipur often gets overlooked by tourists because it is the Amber Fort that is publicized as the show stopper and attracts hordes of tourists . Since it is the residence of the current members of the  Royal Family of Jaipur, the reticence surrounding it may be by design, but the City Palace is as interesting as the Amber Fort. It is right away a more immersive experience because it does not attract many visitors. Secondly, the exhibits are far more interesting. If Amber Fort itself is a slice of History, the City Palace is a glimpse into the lives of those who made the history. 

The Gangajali

Take the larger-than-life Gangajalis for example. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, they are the largest silver objects in the world. Made from 14,0000 silver coins without soldering, the jars weigh 345 kgs, stand 5 feet and 3 inches tall and can hold 4091 litres or 900 gallons of water.  Maharaja Sawai Madhav Sing II is said to have taken two such jars filled with Gangajal (water of The Ganga), when he travelled to England in 1902 for the coronation of King Edward. 

Other areas to explore are the Diwan E Aam also called Sabha Niwas and the Diwan E Khas which has an grand sounding name like Sarvato Bhadra. Then there is the Chandra Mahal atop which flies the one and a quarter Flag of the Jaipur Dynasty, signifying the name Sawai. How the dyansty got the title Sawai is another interesting story. Tasetful displays of paintings, an interesting textile museum that must have been a treasure trove to many bespoke Indian designers, eye-catching configurations of weapons and arms, City Palace offers enough for a good two hours. 

Take a guide or help yourself to the audio guide and come back for the sight and sound show, if you are a true history buff. 

There is a detailed tour of the  Inner Chambers of the Palace for those who have deep pockets. Those with deeper pockets can stay in the Palace, thanks to the youngest generation of the Royal Family, having put a few rooms on Air Bnb.

The One And A Quarter Flag of The Sawai Dynasty