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Posts Tagged alwar

City Palace Alwar

Oct 31

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, travel rajasthan | No Comments

City Palace, Alwar, Rajasthan

City Palace, Alwar, Rajasthan

Alwar has a rich past that dates back to pre-historic times. The alwar fort better known as Bala Quila stands 304 meters above the city and was constructed before the rule of Mughal empire, making this the oldest existing structure in the city.

Alwar being one of the newer royal states in Rajputana, its rulers never seemed to tire of fort-building as they went on build dozons of them in their kingdom.

Bala Quila was occupied successively by khanzadas, Mughals, Pathans, and Jats. In 1775, Pratap Singh ousted the Jats from the fort. His Successor, Bakhtawar Singh added to the existing structure the rooms of the palace, and some fine gold leaf painting on the ceiling.

Below the fort, in the heart of the old city, is the magnificient City Palace. Five massive gates were once closed  and caged tigers let loose at night to keep intruders at bay. Alwar’s district government inhabits the rooms of the former armory library and treasury.

In the grand courtyards where girls once danced in the light of the full moon to  entertain the maharaja and his courtiers, crowds now seek succor in the offices, and courts of the district administration.

Alwar City Palace Attractions

The Palace is particularly noted for its darbar room decorated with a frieze of miniature paintings and an upper chambet of mirror set in gilt. Previously used on state occasions. City Palace has a government Museum with one of the finest collection of miniature paintings. Located closed by are Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri, Vinay Vilas Palace, Vijay Mandir Palace and Moti Dungri.

The armory section has weapons dating back to the days of Hazrat Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s son in law, and as renowned as the swords and armor of Muhammad Ghori. Akbar and Auranzab. The daggers, swords, shields and sabres on display are often richly ornamented and encrusted with jewels.

Art objects in jade, iviory and sandal wood are delicately filigreed, inlaid and enameled and a silver table with a trick impression of colored fishes floating in channels of water across it are other highlights of its collection.

Photo Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carltonbrowne/2128736110/

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Sariska Tiger Reserve | Palace in Alwar, Rajasthan

Oct 22

Posted by mystaterajasthan in travel rajasthan | 3 Comments

Sariska Palace, Alwar, Rajasthan

Sariska Palace, Alwar, Rajasthan

Location and Area

On the main highway to Jaipur 21 miles south of Alwar , lies the Sarisla National Park. Sariska is one of the few remaining pockets of forest in the Aravali range of hills and the area now covers 308 square miles is the core area.

Places to See in Sariska

The forest is mainly hilly with two extensive plateaus, Kanakwari and Kiraska and a wide Vally starting at the Baran Tal Gate and running south to Thana Gazi. At the northeastern corner, just off the road between Alwar and Sariska, is the Siliseth Lake where crocodiles are often seen. During the winter there are many migrant water birds also.

In spring the surrounding hillsides are filled with color as the flame of the forest and other flowering trees bloom. In the summer, the park is parched and brown but with the monsoon becomes lush and green. Among the undulating hills and wide valleys of Sariska is rare combination of natural history and archaeology.

At Sariska, opposite the Baran Tal Gate of reserve, is a large palace built in 1902 by Jai Singh of Alwar as a base for elaborate shoots. The palace is now a hotel. Sariska has a good networks of metaled roads From thee main arteries forest racks lead into side valleys. The forest department has provided many  artificial water holes on the roads which attract the animals  and makes wildlife observation from vehicles easy.

Famous Species in the Park

Because of the scarcity of water , viewing from hides overlooking waterholes at Salopka and Kalghati watch , photograph and study many of species. The forest contains sambar, nilgai, Chinkara, Chausigha and chital and predators include leopard, byena, jungle cat and wide boar apart from the tiger.

Photo Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trayser/61604730/

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The Fort of Alwar – Bala Quila

Sep 24

Posted by mystaterajasthan in rajasthan fort | 1 Comment

The Fort of Alwar - Bala Quila

The Fort of Alwar - Bala Quila

Bala Quilia or Alwar fort stands atop hill which is situated in enchanting atmosphere of the Arawalis.

Location and Architecture

The adjoining areas are full of dense forest growth and provides a great view of the city from its watch towers. This fort is said to have been constructed by Hasan Khan Mewati in 1492 A.D after passing several hands.

The fort extends 5 km from north to south and 1.6 km from east to west. It is 595 mtrs above see level and 304 mtrs above the city.  The circumference of the fort spreads in 7 miles.

It has 15 large and 51 small towers with 446 loopholes for musketry.  Stupendous towers have been raised at various points in the rampart. The Kabul burj is really imposing the Nogaja and the Hawa Bangla burj also attract attention.  The fort can be entered from six gates namely Jai Pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, kishan Pol, Andheri Pol, Suralj Pol.

Attractions of Bala Quila

There are many things of interest in the fort, the Nikumbh palaces being the fine specimens of the Hindu architecture. These old palaces are simple, unadorned and stupendous. Salim Sagar built by Chandakaji is one of the attractions, another one is Surajmahal whose bowshaped roofs and elegant balconies represents the amalgamation of Indo-Muslim art.

The Sitaram Temple built in 1932 is a fine structure. The middle portions of Cenotaph in the fort is constructed with white marble interspersed with black marble pieces. The base and small corner built in red stone gives a magnificent look. There is a lot of history, attacks and rulers involved with Bala Quila and the details would require volumes of text books.

I would end my post about this fort here and would come back tomorrow with another of the gigantic walls. So just keep coming in here to know more and more about our state Rajasthan.

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