JAIGARH FORT

The road leading to this old fort overlooking Amber Fort offers a beautiful view of the area and the hills bristling with forts and ramparts. The fort is located at the top of the Eagles Hill and was meant to protect the Amber Fort. Its essentially defensive vocation makes it a less flamboyant military work than Amber. Nevertheless, it is worth a visit for the superb views of the Aravalli that it offers.

Maharaja Man Singh I fortified a pre-existing structure to keep an eye on the whole region. Most of the present buildings date back to the 18th century. You can't miss the watchtower, Diva Burj, visible from the Jaipur road. The cannon foundry, on the right after the entrance, testifies to the military use of the fort. These were unknown to the Hindu rulers until the 16th century. Man Singh I developed their use after serving in Akbar's armies. To the left of the entrance, a group of dilapidated buildings once housed the Subhat Niwas, a place where the troops gathered. In the main courtyard, a museum displays collections of weapons and memorabilia belonging to the royal family, including many yellowed photographs. At the back, on the right of the courtyard, two small temples are dedicated to Kali and Hari-Hara, an original deity symbolizing both Vishnu with his disc and Shiva with his trident. Walk south along the ramparts to the Jaivan (victory arrow), the largest wheeled cannon in the world, according to local experts.