Jaigarh Fort
In Mughal times, the Jaipur region was a major weapon-producing centre for the
Mughal and Rajput rulers, several of which are on display in the fort's museum.
It is one of the few military structures of medieval India preserved almost
intact, containing palaces, a granary, a well-planned cannon foundry, several
temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon-the Jai Ban (Jaivan) which
is the largest cannon in the world.
Jaigarh Fort is also known as the fort of victory. The display includes a collection
of canons, many of which are exquisitely decorated and were used in the Mughal
campaigns led by the Rajput King, Raja Man Singh. Of the Jaipur's three forts,
Jaigarh is perhaps the most motivating. It does not have those delicate structures
or palaces like that of Amber but if you want a quick look at a hard-core fortress,
this is it.
Jaigarh means `Victory Fort' and was built between the 15th and the 18th century,
and stands 15 km from Jaipur, amidst rock-strewn, thorn-scrub covered hills,
its forbidding stone ramparts are visible from the Jaipur town. A steep road
goes up to the main gate, the Dungar Darwaza, from where the view is stupendous.
It was the royal treasury for several years. It was one of the few ancient Indian
military structures to be kept intact through the ages. There are passageways
among the palaces and you can see a collection of coins and puppets. This fort
is open to public since a few years only. It was sealed for seven years, due
to a rumour, that an enormous treasure in gold was buried, in the fort area.
The government ransacked the fort, emptied the reservoirs of water but found
nothing.
Jaigarh was once responsible for the security of both Jaipur and Amber, is a
huge moated fort and contains all the accoutrements of a full-fledged citadel.
1 ½ or 2 hours are usually enough to explore it- don't bother taking
a guide; there isn't much use for one, and sections like the armoury and the
museum have adequate signs.
