Located on the Hill of Eagles, Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur was built in 1726 by Sawan Jai Singh II. Travellers on their Jaipur Sightseeing Tour prefer to plan their itinerary to cover all the city’s forts and palaces in its route. Often, a day is scheduled to discover all the forts in Jaipur by car, which brings convenience to travellers for covering the distances between Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh Fort. The fort remains flocked by tourists during the peak season (October to March).
In this article, we’ll have a comprehensive detail about the fort, including history, architecture, things to do & see, and places to visit nearby. So, let’s explore it more here.
Entry Fee: 35/- per person for Indians; 85/- per person for Foreign Tourists; 50/- for the still camera; 200/- for the video camera.
Location: Above Amer Fort, Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302001, India
Entry Timings: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
History of Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort was built by the ruling King Jai Singh II in 1726. An expansive layout overlooking the Amber Fort boasted vitality and royalty. The king built it as a defensive structure, then a palace itself. The main attraction of the fort is its connecting pathway between Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, which helps people reach there safely in case of any attack.
The fort provides an excellent view of the Aravalli Range and Maota Lake and is built atop the Hill of Eagles, called Cheel ka Teela. It is architecturally like Amer Fort. It served as the residence of many kings and was also used to store the Rajput rulers’ weapons, artillery, ammunition, and other utilities.
It is said to be the leading cannon foundry for the Mughal rulers. The cannon was protected during the many consecutive wars in the Mughal dynasty in 1658 until the protector, Dara Shikoh, was beaten in battle and slain by his brother Aurangzeb.
During the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s reign, the fort came to be known as the world’s most efficient cannon foundry. It was mainly given the title of the presence of massive iron ore mines along the vicinity of the fort. The wind tunnel of the cannon foundry is said to be stuck in the hot air from outside and help in melting metal to build the cannons, with temperatures inside soaring to 24000 F.
Architecture
The structure of Jaigarh Fort was designed and conceptualized by the then-architectural maestro – Vidyadhar. It was constructed to depict the rich culture and heritage of the city, which is visible today. The enormous structure reflects the glorious era of kings and queens, adorned with royal attire and magnificence.
The fort was built with the typical red sandstone, the predominant material used in all or most Rajput and Mughal forts. Complete with thick walls and beautiful carvings, the entirety of the fort speaks a lot about the different phases of evolution that it has seen and still stands strong today.
The brilliant structure houses a few of the most exquisite architectural gems like Aram Mandir, Lalit Mandir, Laxmi Vilas, and Vilas Mandir. The other two temples, Ram, Harihar, built in the 10th century, and Kal Bhairav Temple, built in the 12th century, add to the major attractions of the fort. This magnificent fort is sprawling over 3 km in length and a kilometer in width.
Things to do & see in Jaigarh Fort
Spot the enormous Cannon on Wheels, Jaivana Cannon, manufactured in 1720 and still stands strong within the fort premises.
The fort houses a museum showcasing the lifestyle and period of Jaigarh Fort. With stamps of royalty of Jaipur, along with other precious artefacts and photographs.
The armoury chamber here has a wide range of shields, swords, guns, time bombs, and cannonballs.
Other fort structures include Diwan-i-Aam, Khilbat Niwas, and Shubhat Niwas.
Enjoy food amid the scenic surroundings at the best restaurants in and around the fort.
Places to visit near Jaigarh Fort
Amer Fort
Elefriend
Shila Devi Temple
Panna Meena ka Kund
Nahargarh Fort
Final Thoughts
Experience the cultural bonanza by exploring the effervescent Jaigarh Fort of Jaipur. Make your Jaipur tour package the most exciting and happening with a visit to this fortress.