Jaipur is a historic city with many splendid palaces – but if you are pressed for time and have to narrow down your itinerary to just a few places, then the City Palace should be on the list. Completed in in the mid-1700s, this grand complex was the epicentre of the Rajput empire for centuries, and even today, still acts as the official residences of the Jaipur royal family.

By the 1700s, Amber Fort, the former capital, was becoming crowded and also faced water shortages. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II decided to shift the capital to a royal hunting lodge site, just a few miles south – thus laying the foundation for modern-day Jaipur.

Like Amber Fort, the City Palace features a beautiful blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture – but the buildings feel more refined, since the complex was built primarily as a residence and a centre for administration, rather than a fort.

One of the first buildings that visitors will come across is the Mubarak Mahal (Welcome Palace), a relatively ‘new’ addition which was added in the 1900s as a reception centre for foreign guests, diplomats, and dignitaries. As such, it features a blend of Islamic, Indian, and European influences, reflecting the British colonial rule of the time.

Today, the building houses the textile gallery of the City Palace Museum, which showcases the detailed craftsmanship of the rich fabrics worn by the royal family, from ceremonial garb to everyday wear, as well as intricate tapestries, carpets, and more.

Jaipur is known as the Pink City thanks to its rose-hued buildings, and you can see this on full display at the Palace. The reason for this dusty pink colour scheme can be traced back to a visit by Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Albert (later King Edward VII).

To welcome the prince, then-ruler Maharajah Ram Singh had the buildings painted pink, a colour representing hospitality. Since then, the shade has become a trademark of the city.

One of the oldest and most prominent palaces here is the Chandra Mahal, a magnificent structure spanning seven floors. There are many opulent chambers within, some of which can be viewed by the public if you purchase Royal Tour tickets, but other sections are closed off, since this is where the current royal family resides. There’s a striking Blue Room within called the Chhavi Niwas; unfortunately we were rushed for time so we weren’t able to see it for ourselves.

The inner courtyard in front of the Chandra Mahal has four small gates representing the four seasons and Hindu gods, each marked by a different colour. The Leheriya (above) represents spring and the elephant god Lord Ganesha, with a small but intricate carving of the deity above the archway.

Peacock motifs adorning the northeast gate, which represents autumn and the Lord Vishnu.

We also visited the Diwan-i-Khas, or the Hall of Private Audience, where rulers held court, and where coronations were held. Today it is still used for important royal festivals and celebrations. Despite the sweltering heat outside, it was surprisingly cool within the chambers, thanks to the marble material. There are two massive silver vessels on display here, which were crowned the world’s largest according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Our sojourn to the City Palace was, unfortunately, a short one where we only took in the key sights – but if you love architecture and history, allocate at least three hours to soak in everything, and opt for a more comprehensive tour if you have the budget and time.

The basic tour, which covers the courtyards and main galleries, is priced at 1010 rupees (RM44 – or 11USD). There is also a Museum at Night tour priced at 610 rupees (6.7USD). The Royal Tour, where you explore the palace’s inner chambers, will cost 4,000 rupees (44USD).

GETTING THERE

The City Palace is centrally located and easily accessible via public transport such as auto-rickshaws and ride sharing apps. The closest metro station is Badi Chaupar, Pink Line.

Opening hours: Daily, 9.30AM – 6PM (day tours), 6.30PM (night tour)

Website: https://citypalace.org/

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