Forts seem to have a special draw for history aficionados, photographers, and culture vultures from all over. A wonderful illustration of that is the beautiful Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, India. It is built on top of a hill, like a few other forts in the Pink City, and was constructed in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh II. The Jaivana Cannon, the world’s biggest cannon on wheels, is one of this fort’s most well-known features. Additionally, you might find it interesting to know that the Jaigarh Fort’s hill is referred to by the locals as “Cheel ka Teela” or “Hill of the Eagle.”
As a result, if you have any plans to visit Jaipur soon and want to learn more about Jaigarh Fort, continue reading.
Information about Jaigarh Fort
Location:Amer,Jaipur
Timings: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance Fee:
70 INR per person for Indians
150 INR per person for guests from abroad
Entrance: Darwaza Dungar
Area: 3 sq. km
Year of Inception: 1726
By commission: Second Raja Jai Singh
Building Design: Indo-Persian
Used materials: Sandstone
Time Needed: 2 hours
Ideal Season to Visit: Oct. through Feb.
History of Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, India:
The Jaigarh Fort was constructed to support and enhance the appeal of the adjoining, well-known Amer Fort. It served as the royal family’s house for a while. The fort’s name is derived from Sawai Jai Singh II, a significant figure in this location’s history.
Rajput soldiers once used the fort as a safe haven and strategic location to store their weapons, loot, and supplies so they wouldn’t have to frequently leave Amer. Around 1720, the renowned Jaivana cannon was constructed here.
There is an underground passageway between two forts since Jaigarh Fort was created to protect Amer Fort. It serves as an illustration of how well the design and construction were planned back then. The Kachhwaha Rajputs in the Jaipur region at the time were Mughal friends, thus they appreciated the weapon and cannon store’s convenience.
Jaigarh Fort: Currently
Visitors from all over the world are being welcomed to this impressive fort. You may explore the fort, take in its stunning architecture, and get up close to its stunning artilleries and cannon. Don’t overlook Maota Lake, which is like a priceless diamond on the fort’s crown.
Architecture of Jaigarh Fort:
The fort is built from red sandstone in the well-known Indo-Persian architecture, which is still present in the majority of the forts in Jaipur. Additionally, you’ll see that some areas employ lime mortar. The well-known building was created by the renowned Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, along with numerous other buildings and monuments in the city.
The walls of this fort are exceptional because they are extraordinarily thick and sturdy. To make it challenging to destroy, this was done. This is also the reason why, in an emergency, it served as a safe place to live.
Along with visiting the fort, your schedule should also include stops at the stunning Lalit Mandir, Vilas Mandir, and Laxmi Vilas. A must-see also are the ages-old Kal Bhairav and Harihar temples. In the middle, there is a square garden with a watchtower close by. Due to the neighboring deserts, Jaipur has always been a hot and muggy region, hence the forts here, especially the Jaigarh Fort, were built with underground water tanks and rainfall harvesting systems.
Attractions at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, India:
Jaivana:
As was previously said, it is the biggest cannon in the world. Its enormous size and magnificent design are sure to astound you. It is almost 50 tonnes in weight and nearly 6 meters tall. The ability of this cannon to turn in any direction is one of its most intriguing characteristics.
Display of arms:
Here, you may observe artilleries and armaments from the 18th century on display. There are numerous cannonballs, swords, shields, weapons, bombs, etc. that you may encounter.
Museum:
Along with a large number of pictures and some priceless artifacts, the well-known museum in this area provides insights into the lives of the former emperors and soldiers.
Temples:
There are a lot of temples in this area, including those inside the Amer fort. These temples date back more than ten centuries in some cases.
The Diya Burj:
The fort’s highest peak is located here. From here, one may take in breathtaking views of Amer Fort, the Aravalli Mountain Range, and the entire Amer region.
Getting to Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, India:
Keep in mind that Jaigarh Fort is not in Jaipur; rather, it is outside of Amer, which served as the Rajputs’ primary administrative center prior to the creation of Jaipur. The main city is roughly 10 miles from the fort. Try to hire a private cab or one of the many taxi services available because of the complex routes, sharp curves, and mountainous area.
You should try to hire a private cab or one of the jeeps/buses that take people from the major city to the Amer region during the day due to the complex routes, steep curves, and hilly area. It could be advisable to get a private cab if you intend to see all three of the forts (Nahargarh Fort, Amer Fort, and Jaigarh Fort) at once so that you don’t have to keep looking for an auto rickshaw or cab.
The state government operates RSTC buses from major bus stops in Jaipur, such as Vaishali Nagar or Sanganer, to Amer if you want to go by bus.
You may easily travel by plane, train, or car to get to Jaipur. It has excellent connections to practically all North American locations.