There
is no point of debate on Rajasthan being one the foremost state which
can boast of brilliant architecture. The architectural marvel can be
found in every part of Rajasthan in form of the numerous Forts, Palaces,
Temples, Havelis (mansions) and even simple houses of the local people.
These monuments are living reminiscence of the Islamic, Rajput and
European architecture. These monuments were built keeping in mind the
various purposes they serve of being a residence for the royalty,
defense and garrison purpose, religious needs of the local population. The monuments of Rajasthan are example of the romance of the Kings of Rajputana with the cities and times in which they lived. The intricate carvings and the difficult terrain in which the monuments were built reflect an unusual blend of the toughness and the compassion the Rajput Kings held. The numerous forts and palaces today tell us the tale of the legendary and chivalrous Kings of Rajasthan.
Jaigarh Fort (Jaipur)
Jaigarh fort also known as the fort of victory is one of the three hilltop fort that overlooks Jaipur. Situated approximately 15 km away from Jaipur the fort was constructed between 15th to 18th centuries. The fort is clearly a military structure as can be comprehended by its citadel kind of architectural style.
Amber Fort (Jaipur)
Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Raja Sawai Jai Singh I the fort is a fantastic blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture at its best. Made in red sandstone and white marble the fort provides the spectator a magnificent sight.
Kumbhalgarh Fort (Udaipur)
Constructed in the 15th century by Raja Kumbha the fort is located 64km north of Udaipur. Like Chittorgarh it is one of the significant citadels of Udaipur. Kumbhalgarh fort is famous for the birth of the legendary Rajput King Maharana Pratap of Mewar.
Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur)
Built in 1459 by Rao Jodha and continuously being extended by other rulers of the royal house of Jodhpur till the 19th century the Mehrangarh fort is one of the most magnificent and impressive forts of India. It is also one of the most well maintained forts of Rajasthan.
Jaisalmer Fort, Sonar Quila (Jaisalmer)
The Sonar Quila or the Golden fort is ideally named so in the land of golden sand dunes of Thar Desert in Jaisalmer. Made of yellow sandstone, when the sun rays fall on the fort it shines like bewitching gold. The fort is a city complex in itself consisting of palaces, security sources, havelis (mansions) of rich merchants, temples and residential complexes of the army.
Umaid Bhawan Palace (Jodhpur)
Built in the 20th century the palace took 16 long years to be completed and is the last great palaces to be built in India. The palace derives its name from Maharaja Umaid Singh who was deeply fascinated by western lifestyle and hence appointed the Edwardian Architect Henry Vaughan Lanchester to build the palace on the Chittar hills of Jodhpur.
City Palace (Jaipur)
Situated amidst the heart of the walled city, City palace Jaipur was built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh and later the following rulers made extensions to it. A section of the City palace still serves as the residence of the royal family of Jaipur; however the ground floor and other sections of the Palace are open for public viewing and are currently acting as museums.
Hawa Mahal (Jaipur)
The Palace of Winds is centrally located in the city of Jaipur and is an unusual structure with 953 small windows at the large wall facing the street today to allow breeze to enter in the hot months of summers.
City Palace (Udaipur)
Built by Maharana Uday Singh the founder of the city of Udaipur City palace has been continuosly extended by successive Maharanas but still retains its uniformity. Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola the palace can be entered through Hati pol or the elephant gate which further takes one to the two other gates of the palace the Tripolia, a triple arched gate and Bari pol or the big gate.
Lake Palace (Udaipur)
The summer palace of the Maharana of Udaipur Lake palace was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743.Originally known as the Jag Niwas the palace is built over an entire island over Lake Pichola.
Nahargarh Fort (Jaipur)
Situated atop the rugged terrain of Aravali, the Nahargarh fort was built by Raja Jai Singh in 1734 and extensions were made to it in the year 1868. This was the first fort to be built by the Kings of Jaipur. The Nahargarh fort literally means the abode of Tigers. Unfortunately the fort is now almost in ruins due to lack of maintenance, the only well preserved structure of the fort is Madhavendra Bhawan built by Sawai Ram Singh II which consists of a head suit for the King and twelve identical suits for his queens.
Chittorgarh Fort (Udaipur)
The Chittorgarh fort is an excellent example of military fortifications. Nearly 157 km away from the main city of Udaipur the fort has seven gates through which one can enter it. Ram pol (the gate of lord Ram) and Suraj pol are the main entrance to the fort; besides these the other gates are Padan pol, Bhairon pol, Hanuman pol, Jorla pol, Lakshman pol. Legend has it that it was Bhim - the Pandava who started the construction of Chittorgarh Fort. The terrain which leads to the fort is very rough and difficult to reach. Within the fort complex are several Palaces like the Fateh Prakash Palace, Rana Kumbha Palace, Ratan Singh Palace and Rani Padmini Palace. In the year 1567 when the Mughal Emperor laid siege on the fort, the Raja Udaisingh went into exile and since then the fort was never resettled.
Junagarh Fort (Bikaner)
Built in 1593 AD by Raja Rai Singh, it is one of the rare forts of Rajasthan which is not built on a hill top. There is a moat encircled around the fort for its defenses. The fort so far has remained the unconquered fort of Rajasthan. The fort can be entered only by two gateways, the main entrance to the gate is Karan pol and the other entrance is from Suraj pol or the sun gate. Kishangarh Fort (Ajmer) Built in 1649 by Maharaja Roop Singh the fort is also named after its ruler and is popularly known as Roopangarh fort. The nine turreted fortifications encompass within it several battlements, jails, granaries, armories and foundries. The double height Durbar Hall has latticed windows above for the Queens to see the proceedings going on below. The fort has witnessed many of the patronizing deeds of its rulers towards art, architecture, music and poetry. The Kishangarh School of Art which produced the magnificent Kishangarh miniature paintings are famous world over. Another structure which offers a magnetic appeal to the fort is the Phool Mahal or the Flower Palace. The fort is worth a visit when one visits the city of Ajmer-Pushkar.
Taragarh Fort (Ajmer-Pushkar)
Built in 1345 the fort is situated at the centre of the state of Rajasthan. The fort has six gateways and also has Miran Saheb ki Dargah within its complex. On the largest rampart of the fort is a famous canon called Bhim Burj. In times of war and siege the fort acted as a safe haven for the people of the city. There are large reservoirs built within the fort to store water in times of siege. The fort stands erect even today at the Nagpahari hill of Aravali ranges.
Rajasthan Palaces and Havelis
The Palaces of Rajasthan are the essence of the heritage of Rajasthan. Serving as the residences of the Royal families the Palaces are a perfect blend of the Rajput and Mughal architecture. These grand monuments are the living reminders of the lifestyle and history of the kings of Rajasthan. Today most of the Palaces serve as heritage hotels and also house some of the finest museums of Rajasthan. After the Royal house the merchants were the most affluent class in Rajasthan. In keeping with their prestige the merchants got heavily decorated mansions or havelis built as a place of their residence. Like Palaces the havelis are found in almost all the cities of Rajasthan but the mansions of Jaisalmer and Shekhawati region are the most elaborate and popular ones.
Jal Mahal (Jaipur)
Situated in the centre of the Mansarobar Lake, the Water Palace of Jaipur was built in the 18th century. Built for royal duck shooting parties the palace has the scenic Nahargarh hill as its background. The five storied Mahal has nearly four stories submerged in water and is entered through a causeway situated in the middle of the Mansarobar Lake. The palace is now abandoned but looks splendid during monsoons.
Fateh Prakash Palace (Udaipur)
Located at the shore of Lake Pichola the palace is named after the great ruler of Mewar Maharana Fateh Singh who once resided in the palace. The corridors of the palace are adorned by huge paintings of the Mewar style of art which were lavishly patronized between 17th and 19th century. The palace houses one of the most splendid Durbar Halls of India.
City Palace (Alwar)
Vinay Vilas Mahal or the City Palace Alwar was built in 1793 AD by Raja Bakhtawar Singh. The palace is uniquely a blend of Mughal and Rajput style of Architecture. The central courtyard has graceful marble pavilions set on lotus flower bases. Once the residence for the royalty the palace is now converted partly into the district government office and on the second floor is the museum. In the vicinity of the palace is the artificial Lake built by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1815.
Lalgarh Palace (Bikaner)
Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1902 in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh, the imposing red stone structure is an architectural marvel of Rajasthan. The palace is an example of hybrid architecture combining Mughal, Rajput and European styles. This oriental fantasy designed by Sir Swinton Jacob can be categorized as the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The exterior of the palace tells the Rajput tale while the interiors of the palace are distinctly oriental.
Patwon Ki Haveli (Jaisalmer)
Patwon ki Haveli or the mansion of the brocade workers is one of the oldest and most elaborate hawelis of Jaisalmer. It has exquisitely carved pillars, corridors and chambers and is known for its beautiful jharokhas or balconies. The five storied haveli is divided into six apartments, two owned by Archaeological Survey of India, two by families who operate crafts shop and two private homes.
Salim Singh ki Haveli (Jaisalmer)
Named after the Prime Minister of Jaisalmer Salim Singh the haweli is nearly 300 years old. The mansion has a beautiful arched roof with superbly carved brackets in the form of peacocks. The front facade of the haveli resembles a ship stern hence the haveli is also referred to as the jahazmahal.
Nathmlal Ki Haveli
One of the ostentatious and recent haveli of Jaisalmer to be built in 1885 AD by the Architect brothers Lulu and Hathi, the Haveli has a unique story to tell about its construction. The two architect brothers took to left and right size respectively for constructing the haveli, yet the haveli boasts of striking symmetry.
Nawalgarh Havelis (Shekhawati)
Referred to as the Open Art Gallery of Rajasthan due to magnificent murals and frescoes from mythology, legendary tales and contemporary lifestyle adorning the havelis of Nawalgarh, these are a visual treat to the spectator. On the west of the Nawalgarh fort are a group of havelis known as aath havelis (meaning eight). The haveli depicts the life-size paintings of camel, horses and elephants. Other notable havelis are Bhagton ki choti Haveli, Parusrampuria Haveli, Dharni Dhakra Haveli, Chhauchharia Haveli, Hira Lal Sarowgi Haveli and Geevrajka Haveli which are all art galleries in themselves.
Mandawa Havelis (Shekhawati)
The second Open Art Gallery of Rajasthan the havelis of Mandawa are similar to the havelis of Nawalgarh in terms of the beautiful frescoes and murals which add beauty to these havelis. Built in the Jaipur style of architecture there are pleasant courtyards, gardens and balconies with a splendid view of the Nahargarh fort which one gets from the Mandawa havelis.