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.
