Udaivilas Palace, Udaipur

  • Womenscorner Desk
  • November 5, 2020

City Palace, Udaipur may be a palace complex situated within the city of Udaipur within the Indian state of Rajasthan. it had been built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. Its construction began in 1553, started by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput family as he shifted his capital from the erstwhile Chittor to the new found city of Udaipur. The palace is found on the east bank of Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex.

The City Palace in Udaipur was inbuilt a flamboyant style and is taken into account the most important of its type within the state of Rajasthan. It had been built atop a hill, during a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, providing a bird's eye view of the town and its surroundings. Overlooking Lake Pichola, several historic monuments like the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, and Neemach Mata temple, are beat the vicinity of the palace complex. Nestled within the Aravali mountain range, these landmarks are associated in popular culture with the filming of the 1983 Bond movie Octopussy.

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Gateways : Entrance gateway Badi Pol (left) to City Palace, Tripolia (Triple) Gate (centre), Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate) (right), Gateways, colloquially called Pols, are set to the east of Udaipur city. variety of such gateways provide access to the palace complex.

The main entry from the town is thru the 'Badi Pol' (Great Gate), which results in the primary courtyard. Badi Pol (built in 1600) results in the ‘Tripolia Pol', a triple-arched gate inbuilt 1725, which provides the northern entry. The road between this gate and therefore the palace is lined with shops and kiosks owned by craftsmen, book-binders, miniature painters and textile dealers. Between these two gates, eight marble arches or Toranas are erected. it's said that the Maharanas wont to be weighed here with gold and silver, which was then distributed among the local people. Following the Tripolia gate is an arena ahead of the Toran Pol and therefore the facade palace, the Manak Chowk, where elephant fights were staged within the past to check their prowess before starting on war campaigns.

The main block of the town palace is approached through a modest door from the Ganesha Deodhi terrace. The door is flanked by whitewashed walls vibrantly painted with martial animals within the traditional Rajput style. there's an enormous boulders within the entry where elephants were tied. This elephant parking has now become car parking.

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Behind the doorway of Badi Pol there's an enormous wall which was for the elephant fight. The elephant which touches the wall first would be considered weak elephant. Both elephants would pull one another during this fight.

Amar Vilas : Amar Vilas is that the uppermost court inside the complex, which is an elevated garden. It provides entry to the Badi Mahal. it had been inbuilt Mughal style as a pleasure pavilion. it's cusped arcades enclosing a square marble tub. Amar Vilas is that the highest point of the town Palace and has wonderful hanging gardens with fountains, towers, and terraces.

Badi Mahal : Badi Mahal (Great Palace) also referred to as Garden Palace is that the central palace situated on a 27 metres (89 ft) high natural rock formation bis-a-bis the remainder of the palace. The rooms on the bottom floor appear to be at the extent of the fourth floor in sight of the peak difference to its surrounding buildings. there's a swimming pool here, which was then used for Holi festival (festival of colors) celebration. In an adjoining hall, miniature paintings of 18th and 19th centuries are displayed. In addition, wall paintings of Jag Mandir (as it appeared within the 18th century), Vishnu of Jagdish temple, the very courtyard and an elephant fight scene are depicted.

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Bhim Vilas : Bhim Vilas features a gallery of a set of miniature paintings that depict the real-life stories of Radha-Krishna.

Chini Chitrashala : Chini Chitrashala (Chinese art place) depicts Chinese and Dutch ornamental tiles.

Choti Chitrashali : Choti Chitrashali or 'Residence of Little Pictures', inbuilt the first 19th century, has pictures of peacocks.

Dilkhusha Mahal : Dilkhusha Mahal or ‘Palace of Joy’ was inbuilt 1620.

Durbar hall : Durbar Hall was inbuilt 1909 within the Fatehpraksh Palace as a venue for official functions like State banquets and meetings. The gallery of the hall was employed by the Royal ladies to watch the Durbar proceedings. This hall features a luxuriant interior with large chandeliers. Weapons of the maharanas and a few of their portraits are depicted here. the inspiration stone for this hall was laid by Lord Minto, the Viceroy of India, in 1909, during the rule of Maharana Fateh Singh and was then called Minto Hall.

Fateprakash Palace : Fateprakash Palace, which is now a luxury hotel, features a crystal gallery that consists of crystal chairs, dressing tables, sofas, tables, chairs and beds, crockery, table fountains which were never used. there's also a jewel studded carpet here. Maharana Sajjan Singh had ordered these rare items in 1877 from F& C Osler & Co of London but he died before they arrived here. it's said that the packages containing these crystals remained unopened for 110 years.

Krishna Vilas : Krishna Vilas is another chamber, which features a rich collection of miniature paintings that portray royal processions, festivals and games of the Maharanas.

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Laxmi Vilas chowk : Laxmi Vilas Chowk is an gallery with a particular collection of Mewar paintings.

Manak Mahal : The Manak Mahal approached from the Manak Chowk is an enclosure for formal audience for the Mewar rulers. it's a raised alcove inlaid completely in mirror glass. Sun-face emblems, in gleaming brass, religious insignia of the Sisodia dynasty are a recurring display at several locations within the City Palace with one being depicted on the façade of the Manak Chowk. the most important of such an emblem is additionally seen on the wall of the Surya Chopar, a reception centre at the lower level. Surya or Sun
emblem of the Mewar dynasty depicts a Bhil, the Sun, Chittor Fort and a Rajput with an inscription in Sanskrit of a quotation from the Bhagavad Gita (Hindu holy scripture), which suggests "God Helps those that do their duty". it had been customary for the Maharanas to supply obeisance to the Sun facing east, every morning before taking breakfast.

Mor Chowk :

Left:Three peacocks in Mor Chowk wall. Right: Pillared hall with glass and mirror mosaic decorations. Mor Chowk or Peacock square is integral to the inner courts of the palace. the flowery design of this chamber consists of three peacocks (representing the three seasons of summer, winter, and monsoon) modeled in alto relievo and faced with coloured glass mosaic, built into successive niches within the wall area or jharoka, These were built during Maharana Sajjan Singh's reign, 200 years after the palace was established.

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The peacocks are crafted with 5000 pieces of glass, which shine in green, gold, and blue colours. The apartments ahead of the Chowk are depicted with scenes of Hindu god Lord Krishna's legends. At the upper level, there's a projecting balcony, which is flanked by inserts of colored glass. In an adjoining chamber, called the Kanch-ki-Burj, mosaics of mirrors adorn the walls. The Badi Charur Chowk within this chowk may be a smaller court for personal use. Its screen wall has painted and inlaid compositions depicting European men and Indian women. Proceeding beyond the Mor-Chowk, within the Zenana Mahal or women's quarters exquisitely designed alcoves, balconies, colored windows, tiled walls, and floors are seen.

Rang Bhawan : Rang Bhawan is that the palace that wont to hold the royal treasure. There are temples of Lord Krishna, Meera Bai and Shiva located here.

Sheesh Mahal : Sheess Mahal or Palace of Mirrors and glasses was inbuilt 1716 by Maharana Pratap for his wife Maharani Ajabde.

Museum : In 1974, a neighborhood of the town palace and therefore the 'Zenana Mahal' (Ladies Chamber) were converted into a museum. The museum is open for public.

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