As may be expected, the City Palace complex lies at the heart of the city. Getting in is simpler than it once was. Though the erstwhile maharaja and his family and close friends use the
triple-arched Tripolia Gate to enter their section of the palace, most visitors are ushered in through Atish Pol which is located close to the royal stables, cross from here to Chandni Chowk or Moonlit Square
and then on to Gainda ki Deorhi. At the heart of the complex is seven-tiered Chandra Mahal where the erstwhile royal family is still in residence, though only a small part of the apartments are occupied.
However, it is only the buildings around Chandra Mahal that are open to the public, and these also form part of a museum which includes everything from Grand outfits (including one with 18 kilos of golden
thread woven into it) to swords and two silver urns that are believed to be the largest silver objects in the world. These are housed in the Mubarak Mahal, and the Diwan-i-am respectively. Through Singh Pol,
visitors can approach the Diwan-i-am, where the maharaja's private and public courts would be held. The architecture seems to consist of a number of arched, pillared halls, while courtyards with painted
doorways are prominent feature. |
