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Jaigarh Fort
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. |
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