About City Palace
City Palace complex is actually a conglomeration of buildings added by
various Maharanis, the palace manages to retain a surprising uniformity
of design. Building was started by Maharana Udai Singh II . The palace
is surmounted by balconies, towers & cupolas and there are wonderful
views over the lake and the city from the upper terrace.
Main entrance is from northern end through the Baripol of 1600 and the
Tripolia Gate of 1725 , with its eight carved marble arches. It was once
custom for Maharanis to be weighed under the gate and their weight in
gold or silver distributed to the populace.
In Badi Chowk , the large rectangular courtyard outside the museum,
there are some shops selling pricey handicrafts and a money exchange
facility.
The main part of the palace is now preserved as the City Palace Museum,
housing a large and varied collection of artefacts. Downstairs from the
entrance is an armoury section, sporting a collection of old weapons
including a lethal two-prolonged sword.
The Ganesh Deori is the entrance to the museum and leads up to the
Rajya Angan, or Royal courtyard , the very spot where Udai Singh met the
sage who told him to found this city here. The rooms of the museum are
extravagantly decorated with mirrors , tiles and paintings. In the Manak
Mahal (Ruby Palace) there is the exquisite glass and mirror work, while
Krishna Vilas has a remarkable collection of the miniatures.Teh Moti
Mahal has beautiful mirror work and the Chini Mahal is covered in
ornamental tiles. The Surya Chopar has a huge ,ornamental sun-the symbol
of mewar dynasty, the origins of which are traced to the sun. The Mor
Chowk (Peacock Square) has beautiful mosaics of the peacocks, the
favourite Rajasthani bird. In the Bari Mahal there is a fine central
garden with good views over the old city. More beautiful paintings can
be seen in the Zenana Mahal , which opens onto Laxmi Chowk;there's a
beautiful white pavilion in the center of this square. Note the large
tiger catching cage near Zenana Mahal entrance ; a helpless goat of
buffalo would be tied up inside the cage to lure the tiger in-gruesome.
Photography is not permitted in Krishna Vilas.
Information for The Tourists
In City Palace Complex
Still Camera - 75 Rs.
Video Camera - 300 Rs.
For City Palace Museum
Entrance Fee :-
For children under 5 - Free
For children under 12 - 20 Rs.
For adults - 35 Rs.
Pictures of City Palace
