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Located in the heart of
the walled city, The City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the
farsightedness of the founder of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh. He left
behind a legacy of some of the most imposing and magnificent
architecture, art and craft structure in the city. Sawai Jai Singh
built its many buildings but some of some of the structures were
also built by later rulers and some of them are even dated in the in
the twentieth century too. The palace is a blend of Mughal and
Rajasthani architecture and the royal family still lives in a part
of the palace.
On entering the complex and before the palace proper lies the
Mubarak Mahal, the palace of welcome or reception.
 Sawai
Madho Singh built the palace in the nineteenth century. It was used
as a reception centre for the visiting personage. The building now
forms the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and on display here are
a wide array of royal costumes, some very exquisite and precious
Pashmina (Kashmiri) Shawls, Benaras silk saris, Sanganeri prints and
folk embroidery. An unusual display is that of voluminous clothes
worn by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I (ruled 1750-68).
The Maharani's Palace, the palace of the Queen paradoxically puts a
display of the Rajput weaponry. The inestimable collections of
weapons date back to even 15th century and are in a remarkable state
of preservation. Remarkable amongst them is scissor-action dagger.
This deadly weapon when thrust in bodies the handles were release to
spread the blades. The dagger was then withdrawn tearing limb from
limb of the body of the hapless victim into certain fatality. Other
exhibits include protective chain armours, pistols, jewelled and
ivory handled swords, a belt sword, small and assorted cannons,
guns, poison tipped blades and gun powder pouches. The frescos on
the ceiling are amazing and well preserved.
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