Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur (2024) : Timings, Entry Fee, History

There is something about forts that attracts history buffs, photographers and culture enthusiasts from far and wide. The majestic Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur is a fine example of that. Built in 1726, by Sawai Jai Singh II, it is perched on the top of a hill, much like a few other forts in the Pink City. One of the most famous things about this fort is that it exhibits the largest cannon on wheels in the world, known as the Jaivana Cannon. It might also intrigue you to know that the locals call the hill of Jaigarh Fort, ‘Cheel ka Teela’ or Hill of the Eagle.

So, if you are planning a visit to Jaipur anytime soon and harbour the wish to explore Jaigarh Fort, read on to know everything about the place.

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Jaigarh Fort Information

Jaigarh Fort: History

Jaigarh Fort was built to substantiate and add to the beauty of the popular Amer Fort, which is located nearby. For some time, it was also the residence for the royal family. The name of the fort is derived from the name of Sawai Jai Singh II, who played a key role in the history of this place.

Once upon a time, the fort served as a strategic and safe place for Rajput warriors as they could easily hide their arms, treasure and supplies here, without having to travel out of Amer repeatedly. The famous Jaivana cannon here was built around 1720 under the guidance of Jai Singh II.

Since Jaigarh Fort was built to safeguard Amer Fort, there is an underground route that connects these forts. It is an example of how intelligently the layout and construction was planned in those days. The Rajputs in Jaipur region at that time were the Kachhwahas, and they were allies of the Mughals, which is why they found the weapon and cannon store to be quite handy.

Jaigarh Fort: Today          

Presently, this striking fort welcomes tourists from around the world. You can roam around the fort, admire its magnificent architecture and view the beautiful cannon and artilleries up close. Do not miss the Maota Lake, which is like a precious jewel on the crown of the fort.

Jaigarh Fort: Architecture

The fort is constructed with red sandstone in the familiar Indo-Persian style, which remains a common trait in most of the forts in Jaipur. You will also notice the use of lime mortar in places. The famous structure, along with many other structures and monuments in the city, was designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, who was a renowned Bengali architect.

The outstanding feature of this fort is that the walls are massively thick and strong. This was done with the aim of making it hard to destroy. This is also the reason why it acted as a safe place of residence in case of an emergency.

Apart from exploring the fort, you can also include the beautiful Lalit Mandir, Vilas Mandir and Laxmi Vilas in your itinerary. The centuries-old Kal Bhairav and Harihar temples are a must-see too. There is a square garden in the centre, alongside a watchtower nearby. As Jaipur has always been a hot and humid place due to the deserts nearby, the forts here, including the Jaigarh Fort, were incorporated with rainwater harvesting techniques and underground water tanks.

Things to see at Jaigarh Fort

Here are a few things you cannot miss while exploring Jaigarh Fort.

• Jaivana: It is the largest cannon in the world, as mentioned before. You are bound to be amazed by its massive structure and stunning design. It is nearly 6 metres tall and weighs around 50 tonnes. One of the most interesting features about this cannon is that it can turn in any direction.
• Exhibition of arms: Here, you can see 18^th century weapons and artilleries on display. You will come across several cannonballs, swords, shields, guns, bombs, etc.
• Museum: The popular museum here offers insights into the lives of the past rulers and warriors along with many photographs and some rare artefacts.
• Temples: There are many temples to explore here, including the ones inside Amer fort. Some of these temples are more than 10 centuries old.
• Diya Burj: This is the highest point in the fort. From here, you can soak in stunning views of the entire region of Amer, the mighty Aravalli Mountain Range, and Amer Fort as well.

How to reach Jaigarh Fort

Do remember that Jaigarh Fort is not in Jaipur, but located on the outskirts of the Amer region, which was the real capital of the Rajputs here until Jaipur was built. The fort is about 10 km away from the main city. Because of the confusing routes, steep curves and hilly region, you should try and rent a private cab or one of the jeeps/buses that transports people from the main city to the Amer region throughout the day. If you plan to visit all three forts here together (Nahargarh Fort, Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort), it might be wiser to hire a private cab as you wouldn’t have to look for an auto rickshaw or cab repeatedly.

In case you wish to travel by bus, the state government runs RSTC buses from main bus stops in Jaipur like Vaishali Nagar or Sanganer to Amer.

To reach Jaipur, you can easily travel via flight, train or road. It is extremely well connected with almost all regions of North and Central India because of its proximity to Delhi and since it is the capital of the largest state of India, Rajasthan.

Lesser-known facts about Jaigarh Fort

Here are some lesser known but interesting facts about Jaigarh Fort:

• Not many people know that due to the thick and massive walls, Jaigarh Fort has never actually been conquered by any ruler. This is the reason why another name for this fort is Victory Fort.
• The entire region around the fort is a rich source of ores, which is why it was financially and strategically ideal to build a fort here.
• This fort was searched for three days straight by the Income Tax Department when Indira Gandhi was India’s Prime Minister in 1977 because of a rumour that the rulers had left behind an unknown treasure.

Attractions near Jaigarh Fort

• Amer Fort (7 km)
• Panna Meena ka Kund (8 km)
• Shila Devi Mandir (9 km)
• Anokhi Museum (8 km)
• Nahargarh Fort (6 km)
• Gaitore ki Chhatriya (9 km)

Jaipur is a perfect blend of history, tradition and modern vibes. It is known to be the first planned city of the Common Era in India. Although the Pink City is peppered with numerous forts and beautiful monuments, your trip will be incomplete without a visit to Jaigarh Fort. Make sure you also explore the two other forts nearby, Nahargarh Fort and Amer Fort. If you plan your trip and stay in advance, you can land awesome deals too.

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