The
huge City Palace, towering over the lake, is the largest palace complex in
Rajasthan. Actually a conglomeration of buildings added by various
Maharanas, it still manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design.
The building was started by Maharana Udai Singh II, the city's founder.
The palace is surmounted by balconies, tower and cupolas and there are
fine view over the lake and the city from the upper terraces.The
palace is entered form the northern end through the Baripol (built 1600
AD) and the Tripolia Gate (1725 AD) with its eight carved marble arches.
It was once a custom for Maharanas to be weighed under the gate and their
weight in gold or silver distributed to the populace.
The
main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum. It includes the MorChowk
with its beautiful mosaics of peacocks, the favourite Rajasthani bird, the
Manak (or Ruby) Mahal has glass and mirrorwork, while Krishna
Vilas has a remarkable collection of miniatures (no photography
allowed). In the Bari Mahal, there is a pleasant central garden.
The Moti Mahal has beautiful mirrorwork and the Chini Mahal
is covered in ornamental tiles. There's an armoury section downstairs.
More paintings can be seen in the Zenana Mahal. There's a large
tiger-catching cage near the Zenana Mahal entrance.
CITY
PALACE MUSEUM, UDAIPUR