Page 369 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

JAIPUR  367

topped by a white marble dome.
The most recent cenotaph was
erected in 1997 in memory of
Jagat Singh, the only son of Sawai
Man Singh II and Gayatri Devi.
P Jal Mahal
Jaipur district. 8 km (5 miles)
NE of Jaipur. Open daily.
During the monsoon, water fills
the Man Sagar lake, and the Jal
Mahal (“Water Palace”) seems to
The picturesque Jal Mahal, seemingly afloat during the monsoon rise from it like a mirage. Built in
the mid-18th century by Madho
Sawai Jai Singh II's second wife, lavish palace called Madhavendra Singh I, it is inspired by the Jag
who married him on the condition Bhavan for his nine queens. Laid Niwas Palace (see p402) at
that her son would succeed out in a maze of terraces and Udaipur, where the king spent
to the throne. To escape the courtyards, it has a cool, airy upper his childhood. It was later used
inevitable palace intrigues, the chamber from which the ladies for royal duck-shooting parties,
queen moved to a more private of the court could view the city. Its and a variety of water birds are
home outside the walled city. walls and pillars are an outstand- still seen here. The terraced
Her little double-storeyed palace, ing example of arayish, a form garden, enclosed by arched
decorated with lively murals, is of plaster work that is hand- passages, has elegant semi-
surrounded by beautiful gardens. polished with a piece of agate octagonal towers capped by
It is today a popular location to produce a marble finish. cupolas in each corner.
for Indian films.
P Gaitor P Jaigarh
P Ramgarh Jaipur district. 8 km (5 miles) N of Jaipur. Jaipur district. 12 km (7 miles) N of
Jaipur district. 40 km (25 miles) Open daily. Closed public hols. Jaipur. Tel (091) 90247 35559. Open
NE of Jaipur. The marble cenotaphs 9am–4:30pm. Closed public hols. &
Ramgarh is the site of one of the of the Kachhawaha kings are Legendary Jaigarh, the “Victory
earliest Kachhawaha fortresses. enclosed in Fort”, watches over the old
The fort was built by the dynasty's a walled capital of Amber. One
founder, Duleh Rai (r.1093–1135), garden just of the few surviving
who also built a temple dedica- off the Amber cannon foundries is
ted to the goddess Jamvai Mata, road. This area located here. Its
now visited by thousands of was chosen by most prized
devotees. Ramgarh Lodge, on the Sawai Jai Singh II posse ssion is
northern bank of a man-made as the new the monu mental
lake, is a French villa-style hunting cremation site The famous 50-tonne Jai Van,
lodge built in 1931 for the Jaipur after Amber (see pp368– Jai Van cast in 1726 and said
royal family. It is now a pleasant 70) was abandoned. to be the world's largest
heritage hotel. The lake, which Ornate carved pillars support cannon on wheels. Ironically,
was used for water-based sports the marble chhatris erected despite its impressive size, the
during the 1982 Asian Games, is over the platforms where the cannon has never been fired.
now dry, and the polo ground maharajas were cremated. One Other interesting sights are
is no longer operational, but the of the most impressive cenotaphs the Diva Burj, a seven-storeyed
hotel remains popular as a spa in the complex is that of Jai tower where a huge oil lamp
resort near Jaipur. Singh II himself. It has 20 marble was lit on the king's birthday,
pillars carved with religious and two temples and a palace
P Nahargarh mythological scenes and is built over 200 years ago.
Jaipur district. 9 km (6 miles) E of Jaipur.
Tel (0141) 513 4038. Open daily.
Closed public hols. & - m
The forbidding hill-top fort of
Nahargarh (“Tiger Fort”) stands in
what was once a densely forested
area. The fierce Meena tribe ruled
this region until they were
defeated by the Kachhawahas. Its
fortifications, strengthened by
Sawai Jai Singh II, were subse-
quently expanded by successive
rulers. Madho Singh II added a The ramparts of Jaigarh Fort, a feat of military engineering

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