Jaigarh Fort

An Overview

Jaigarh Fort is one such place where the tourists can capture the glimpses of heritage and history of Rajasthan. Standing still over a small hillock, it overlooks the Pink City. It is a classic example of numerous forts. The fort houses several gardens, palaces, temples, a granary and an armoury.

About the Fort

Renowned as the 'Fort of Victory', Jaigarh fort is located in the north of Jaipur. Built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh, the fort has a rugged structure. The fort was the royal treasury for some years. It is among the few old Indian military structures that is kept intact through the ages. Perched on a cliff and enclosed with huge battlements, the fort offers a stunning views on all sides. Jaigarh Fort was constructed to strengthen the security of Jaipur and Amber. Due to this reason, the fort does not look artistic like other forts and palaces, but it has its own charm.

History of Jaigarh Fort

Jaigarh Fort stands gracefully, 15 kilometers away from Jaipur amidst stony hills. It was meant to protect both Amer and Jaipur. The fort is a full-fledged castle on Chilh ka Tola (Hill of Eagles).
According to the legends, whenever Man Singh I or his descendants won treasures in war, they used to preserve it in the Jaigarh fort. Indian Government officials dig the fort to retrieve the remains of the treasure in 1976 but all in vain.

Inside the Fort

Jaigarh Fort houses many structures of the medieval India that are worth to explore. It houses several palaces, cannon foundry, granary, several temples and a tall tower.

The attractions of the fort include:

The Huge Cannon

The fort is an outstanding example of military architecture. Once you enter, you will see gigantic cannon Jaivan settled on the top of a tower. It is known as the world's largest cannon on wheels.

The Museum

The museum has a unique collection of puppets, coins, photographs of the royal kings, processions and the armory. It also has many shields, swords, muskets, guns and even a 50 kg cannon ball.

Vijay Garh

It is the fort's armoury. Here you can see a huge collection of swords and small arms like time bombs. There is also a treasury lock within five keys and big wine and oil jars.

Seven Storeyed- Diya Burj

It is the highest point in Jaigarh from where you can have a panoramic view of the Jaipur city.
The water supply and the storage system of the fort can be seen, which is true marvel of planning.

Temples

There are several temples within the fort. Shri Ram Hari Har Temples built in the 10th century houses images of three gods – Shiva, Vishnu and Rama. Nearby lies the Kal Bhairava Temple, a temple of the 12th century.