Jaigarh Fort

The Jaigarh Fort reflects the rich heritage and architecture of the Rajput era. The fort on the "Hill of Eagles" was built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh II and Mirza Raja Jai Singh.
The fort has two entrance points: the Awani Darwaza in the east and the Doongar Darwaza in the south. A stone pavement leads to the gates.
You can walk along the periphery of the fort on the pathways built over the boundary walls. Once used for patrolling, these now provide an excellent view of the city of Jaipur.
The Jaigarh Fort overlooks the beautiful city of Jaipur from a height of 500 feet. Built for the purpose of defense, the walls of the fort used red stone for construction and are a meter thick.
The Jaivana Cannon, also known as Shyam Virani is the World's biggest wheeled canon ever constructed. This six-wheeled cannon weighs around 50 tonnes. There are several myths surrounding its firepower and range.
An antique cannon inside the Jaigarh Fort. Also known as the Victory Fort, the Jaigarh Fort was a major cannon foundry during the Mughal period, used to store war arms and ammunition.
The fort had two tanks which helped in harvesting rainwater. The tanks were linked through a four-meter-long canal. It is believed that below the tanks there were numerous compartments to store precious items of the royal family.
The Charbagh Garden at the Jaigarh Fort is designed in Persian style in a quadrilateral shape. The garden is divided into four sections, which is why it is named 'Charbagh'; 'char' in everyday Hindi means four.
Built in AD 1225, the Shri Rama Hari Har Temple was redesigned in marble and metal in 1940 by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. The beauty of the temple remains intact even today.
The temple houses idols of Lord Rama and Hari Har carved out of white marble. Four other incarnations of Vishnu can also be seen here. Spiritually inclined people must not miss the divine 'darshan' of the deities in the temple.
The Lakshmi Vilas served as the residence of the Maharaja. It consists of a hall which held dance performances, puppet shows, etc., for the entertainment of royal members.
The grand feast has always been an integral part of the royal families. The dining hall designed inside the fort shows royal members on the dining desk. It was built by Mirza Raja Jai Singh.
The windows at the Jaigarh Fort were designed following the pattern of latticed frames. Designed for the royal ladies, these allowed complete view of the outside world but nothing could be observed from outside.
The Subhat Niwas was the assembly hall of the warriors, where the king addressed his army. The open pillared hall lies next to the entrance, if one entered the fort from the Jaleb Chowk.

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About Jaigarh Fort

The Jaigarh Fort, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the 18th Century, is a magnificent palace located on the "Cheel ka Teela" (Hill of the Eagle) promontory of the Aravallis in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Designed by an architect named Vidyadhar, the fort was built to depict the affluent culture of the city of Jaipur. Since the fort is located on an altitude, the entire city of Jaipur can be seen from the top. It mainly served as the residential building of the kings but later on, was also used as the artillery warehouse.

Jaigarh Fort has a rich history behind it. During the Mughal period, Jaigarh Fort, located 150 miles away from the capital, became one of the main cannon foundries due to abundance of arms and ammunition there. It was also a storage place for arms, ammunition and other important requirements of war. It was looked after by Dara Shikoh, but when he was defeated by Aurangzeb, the fort came under the rule of Jai Singh, who renovated and refurbished it. One interesting story goes with the history of the fort. According to folklore, the rulers buried a huge treasure in the soil of the Fort. However, the treasure was never recovered.

One can get a panoramic view of Jaipur from the fort, due to its location on top of a hill. Structurally, the fort looks like its immediate neighbour, Amber Fort, which is located almost 400 metres down a common road. Otherwise known as the Victory Fort, this huge structure is 3 km in length and 1 km in width. The outer layers of the fort are made of red sandstone and the internal layout is quite interesting, with a beautiful square garden at the centre.

There are huge court rooms and halls provided with screened windows. The fort encloses the largest cannon in the world, called the Jaivana, which is kept on wheels. The grand palace complex consists of Laxmi Vilas, Vilas Mandir, Lalit Mandir and the Aram Mandir, which used to be the residences of the royal family during the reign of the kings. Two vintage temples have increased the attraction of the fort, one being the Ram Hari Har temple built in the 10th Century, and the Kal Bhairav Temple, built in the 12th Century.

The fort is well protected from all sides with high walls. There is an armory and a hall for the warriors, along with a museum that preserves old clothes, manuscripts, weapons and artworks of the Rajputs. One can find a watch tower at the centre, which provides a beautiful view of the landscape around. The adjoining fort of Amber is connected to the Jaigarh fort through a secret subterranean passage. It was designed for emergency escapes of the ladies and children. There is a central water reservoir in the fort to provide water to the Amber Fort.

Location

The Jaigarh Fort is conveniently located at Amber, which is roughly 14 km from the centre of the city of Jaipur.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to be in the city is between October and March. The weather becomes quite pleasant during this time of the year, which will enable you to witness the beauty of the city and its attractions properly.

How to Reach

Jaigarh Fort may be reached from Jaipur at ease by road. One may take a taxi or cab, and even frequent buses run by Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation are available. The buses are well-furnished, with comfortable seats and air conditioning. One may also take an auto-rickshaw, which will charge not less than Rs. 500. Sometimes, tourists opt for one of the several packages offered by the travel guides, which includes a whole-day excursion to all the three forts nearby: the Jaigarh Fort, the Nahargarh fort and the Amber Fort.

Address	Jaigarh Fort, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302013, India
Entry Fee	Rs. 35 per person for Indians Rs. 85 per person for Foreign Tourists
Timings	9:00 hours - 16:30 hours
Phone No (Official)	+91-141-2671848 +91-141-5110598
Photography	Allowed

Last Updated on : October 25, 2016

Forts and Palaces in Rajasthan