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Jaipur Forts, Palaces and Museums
Jaigarh Fort
The Jaigarh fort is the most spectacular of the three-hilltop forts that overlook
Jaipur. 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.
" Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur Reservation Form "