Trends in Biosciences 11(14), Print : ISSN 0974-8431, 2433-2442, 2018 Conservation of Sacred Forts and Palaces of Jaipur, Rajasthan NIRMALA LALWANI Department of Geography, Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur, Rajasthan email : [email protected] ABSTRACT recover the cultural significance of a place and must include 2 Heritage conservation and protection is an investment in provision for its security, maintenance and future . Forts and palaces of Jaipur district are the theatre of its glorious our community that rewards us today and leaves an history.Jaipur district is surrounded by number of royal invaluable resource for future generations. Protecting our cultural heritage is economical, historical and also a forts and palaces. This area is famous for its ancient palaces and forts, with elaborate architecture that serves as a cultural process. Forts and palaces are the best resplendent reminder of their royal heritage. The major examples of cultural heritage. They are the representation of our glorious past. Our heritage is our pride. attractions of this area for the foreign and domestic tourists are Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort,Bagru Fort, We all have some responsibility to save and preserve Morrji Fort,Shahpura Fort and Palace,Hawa Mahal, City it for our future generations. Jaipur district is a popular Palace, Albert Hall,Samode Palace,and Jal Mahal.In order tourist spot not only in India but also in the world. It is a to create a favourable atmosphere for developing tourism major destination in the popular ‘Golden Triangle of Delhi- industry and to conserve and protect our cultural heritage, Agra-Jaipur’. Jaipur district (capital of Rajasthan state) has been emerged as one of the popular tourist destinations role of government policies is quite significant here.Their preservation, upkeep and protection are essential to in India for both domestic and foreign tourists. As forts preserve its history for future generations. Many and palaces are the prime attractions of this area, their conservation and protection becomes indispensible. organisations are working for the conservation and preservation of forts and palaces of this area. Conservation and preservation of forts and palaces keeps our history alive, which will automatically increase the Objective inflow of tourists to this area.In this research paper, an Main objective of this paper is to show that Jaipur attempt has been made to show the richness of our cultural district is having a rich cultural heritage of forts and palaces heritage of the Jaipur districtin terms of forts and palaces and many organizations (government as well as private) and to analysis the work of conservation of these forts and areplaying significant role in the conservation and palaces. This study is based on primary as well as secondary protection of forts and palaces of this area. data. Data Base and Methodology Key words Conservation, Sacred Forts, Palaces, Jaipur, Basically this study is based on both primary and Rajasthan secondary data. Secondary data has been collected from various departments such as Department of Tourism, The term ‘Fort’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Fortis’ Rajasthan (Jaipur), Rajasthan Tourism Development (strong) and ‘Facere’ (to make). Another Sanskrit word ‘Pur’ Corporation, Department of Archaeology and Museums cannot be overlooked which was equally prevalent to as well as from the private agencies involved in this field. denote the fortified city or village. Later on the Sanskrit To authenticate the theoretical knowledge, tehsilwise field term ‘Durgam’ denoted the invincible forts1.The word survey was conducted of Jaipur district to know about the “Palace” comes from old French word ‘Palais’ (imperial present condition and conservation work of forts and residence).In modern times, the term ‘Palace’ has been palaces. applied by archaeologists and historians to large structures Study Area that housed combined ruler, court and bureaucracy in “palace cultures”. In informal usage, a “Palace” can be The Golden Triangle is so called because of the extended to a grand residence of any kind. A palace is a triangular shape formed by the locations of New Delhi, grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home Agra and Jaipur district (Capital of Rajasthan) on a map. So of a head of state or church dignitary, such as a bishop, Jaipur district is one of the important legs of this famous archbishop cardinal or pope. Golden Triangle tourist circuit.Jaipur districtsituated between26º 23' and 27º 51' north latitude and 74º 55' to 76º Conservation means all the processes of looking after 50' east longitude and is bounded in the north by the state a place so as to retain its cultural significance. It includes of Haryana as well as Sikar district of Rajasthan, in the preservation, restoration, reconstruction, protection and south by Tonk district, on the western border by the district adaptation and will be commonly a combination of more of Ajmer and Nagaur and on its eastern boundaries by than one of these. The aim of conservation is to retain or 2434 Trends in Biosciences 11 (14), 2018 Table 1. Forts and Palaces of Jaipur District S.No. Name of Fort / Palace Tehsil and Name of Period/ Features District Built By 1 Amber Fort and Palace Amber , Jaipur 1600 AD Open for tourist Raja Man Singh Well - maintained Protected by Government Of Rajasthan Contains Diwan-i-Am , Diwan- I-Khas, Shish Mahal Maota lake and Shiromani Mata temple ‘World Heritage Site’since 2013 Ticketed monument 2 Jaigarh Fort Amber , Jaipur 1726 Open for tourist Maharaja Sawai Jai Also known as ‘Victory Fort’ Singh- II In good condition Contains beautiful palaces, gardens , temples courtyards World’s largest cannon on wheels is kept here Private Property (under royal family) Ticketed monument 3 Nahargarh Fort Amber , Jaipur 1734 AD Open for tourist Maharaja Sawai Jai In good condition Singh- II Known as Tiger fort of Rajasthan Protected by Government of Rajasthan Contains beautiful palaces, terraces Ticketed monument 4 Moti dungri Fort Jaipur city, Jaipur - Closed fort Temple inside fort (opens only once a year) Private Property 5 Sankota garh Jamwa Ramgarh, - Open for tourist Jaipur In good condition Private Property 6 Paota Fort Kotputli, Jaipur - Open for tourist In ruined condition 7 Ladana Fort Phagi , Jaipur - Entry only on prior permission In good condition Private Property 8 Madhorajpura Fort Phagi , Jaipur - Open for tourist In ruined condition 9 Fort Peepla Phagi , Jaipur 150 years old Opens for tourist In good condition Private Property 10 Mahandabag Fort Phagi , Jaipur - Open for tourist In ruined condition Private Property 11 Jobner Fort Sambhar , Jaipur Raja Ajit Singh Open for tourist In bad condition There is another fort in the front of Jobner fort, which is in good condition LALWANI, Conservation of Sacred Forts and Palaces of Jaipur, Rajasthan 2435 S.No. Name of Fort / Palace Tehsil and Name of Period/ Features District Built By 12 Tekchandpura Fort Bassi , Jaipur - Open for tourist In bad condition 13 Madhogarh Fort Bassi , Jaipur Madho Singh nearly Converted into heritage hotel 400 years ago 14 Nayla Fort Bassi , Jaipur Open for tourist In ruined condition 15 Bichoon Fort Dudu, Jaipur Open for tourist In complete ruined condition 16 Morrji Fort Chomu , Jaipur Open for tourist In good condition 17 Samode Fort Chomu , Jaipur 16th century Open for tourist Rawal Berisal In ruined condition Private property 18 Samode Palace Chomu , Jaipur 16th century Converted into heritage hotel Rawal Berisal 19 Chomu Fort Chomu , Jaipur - Open for tourist In ruined condition 20 Chomu Palace Chomu , Jaipur - Now ‘Chomu Palace and Hotel Spa’ is running here. Private Property 21 Garudwasi Fort Chaksu , Jaipur Chauhan clan Open for tourist In bad condition Temple inside a fort, opens only on ‘Maha Shivratri’ 22 Shahpura Fort and Palace Shahpura ,Jaipur - Open for tourist In good condition 23 Vishangarh Fort and Palace Shahpura ,Jaipur Rajendra Rao Converted into heritage hotel 24 Manoharpura Fort Shahpura ,Jaipur - Open for tourist Ruined condition 25 Bagru Fort Sanganer , Jaipur - Open for tourist In good condition 26 Achrol Fort Amer, Jaipur - Open for tourist In good condition 27 Chandwaji Fort Amer, Jaipur - Open for tourist In good condition 28 Albert Hall Jaipur city, Jaipur Open for tourist Well maintained Earlier it was a palace and now converted into Government Museum Under control of Government of Rajasthan Ticketed monument 29 Hawa Mahal Jaipur city, Jaipur 1799 Open for tourist Maharaja Sawai Well maintained Pratap Singh Under control of Government of Rajasthan Ticketed monument 2436 Trends in Biosciences 11 (14), 2018 S.No. Name of Fort / Palace Tehsil and Name of Period/ Features District Built By 30 City Palace Jaipur city, Jaipur 1699-1744 Open for tourist Maharaja Jai Singh – Well maintained II Contains Palaces like Chandra mahal, Mubarak Mahal , Mukut Mahal , Maharani Palace, Govind Dev temple, Museum Private Property 31 Jal mahal Amer, Jaipur 18thcentury Not opened for tourist Maharaja Jai Singh – Located in the middle of Man II Sagar Lake Well maintained Under control of Government of Rajasthan 32 Ram Bagh Palace Jaipur city, Jaipur Converted into heritage hotel 33 Bissau Palace Jaipur city, Jaipur Converted into heritage hotel 34 Santha Bagh Jaipur city, Jaipur Converted into heritage hotel 35 Narain Niwas Palace Jaipur city, Jaipur Converted into heritage hotel 36 Diggi Palace Jaipur city, Jaipur Converted into heritage hotel 37 Toda Palace Bassi , Jaipur Converted into heritage hotel Source – Department of Archaeology and Museums, Jaipur, Rajasthan Alwar and Dausa district. Total length of the district from Sankotagarh, Shahpura Fort, Morrji Fort, Ladana Fort, Fort east to west is 180 km and total width from north to south is Peepla, Bagru Fort, and Achrol Fort are also worth watching. 110km.The district occupies a coveted position and engulfs But some forts such as Jobner Fort,Paota Fort, an area of 11143 sq.