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/
