Jag Mandir Palace

Coordinates: 24°34′02″N 73°40′41″E / 24.5672°N 73.6781°E / 24.5672; 73.6781
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Jag Mandir
Jag Mandir with sculpture of eight elephants adorning the entrance and facing the Lake Palace
Map
General information
Architectural styleRajput architecture
Town or cityUdaipur
CountryIndia
Coordinates24°34′02″N 73°40′41″E / 24.5672°N 73.6781°E / 24.5672; 73.6781
Construction started1551
CompletedMid 17th century
ClientMaharana Jagat Singh I
OwnerArvind Singh Mewar
Technical details
Structural systemYellow Sandstone and Marble

Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island in the

Rajputs of Mewar kingdom. The construction of the palace was started in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh, continued by Maharana Karan Singh (1620–1628) and finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652). It is named as "Jagat Mandir" in honour of the last named Maharana Jagat Singh. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties.[1][2][3][4][5] The palace served as a refuge to asylum seekers for one occasion.[1][6]

Geography

Jag Mandir is situated in one of the two natural islands in the Pichola lake (named after the village Picholi nearby), on its southern end. The lake was initially created in the 15th century by a local banjara tribal chieftain for carrying grain across the streams. During the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II, in 1560, the lake was substantially enlarged by constructing dams across two streams. At that time, the Maharana also built the Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace (Jag Niwas Hotel) on islands in the midst of the lake. Udaipur city with its City Palace and other monuments and temples were built on the periphery of the lake.[7][8]

History

Jag Mandir Palace from above, on Lake Pichola, Udaipur. ca. 1873

The real threat, which almost decimated Mewar kingdom for many years, came from the marauding

Marathas. The hope of survival revived when in 1817, the British came to their rescue with the "Treaty of Paramountcy" promising restoration of all the hereditary territories and protecting the state from any future invasions. Thereafter, peace and prosperity ensued in Mewar Kingdom. The pride and glory of Sisodia Rajputs were fully restored.[1]

During the revolt in 1857, Maharana Swroop Singh (1842–1861) saved a number of European families, mostly women and children from

Indian Mutiny, (or the first War of Independence) against the British Raj.[1]

After the

Independence of India from the British rule, on 15 August 1947, at the initiative of Maharana Bhupal Singh, the Mewar kingdom merged with the Indian union in 1949 along with other princely states of Rajasthan.[1]

Structure

Gul Mahal, the earliest structure before renovation
Carved statues of elephants at the jetty entry, Jag Mandir Palace.

The impressive series of structures in the three-storied Jag Mandir Palace include:

  • Gul Mahal, which was built first as refuge for prince Khurram;
  • the elegant facade flanked by four carved statues of elephants on either side at the jetty entry on the lake from Udaipur;
  • the Garden Courtyard and the Darikhana on its northern side;
  • Bara Patharon ka Mahal (palace of the 12 stones);
  • the Zenana Mahal – a southern extension to the Gul Mahal;
  • and the Kunwar Pada ka Mahal.[1][4]

Details of these structures and of the garden are elaborated below.

Gul Mahal

Gul Mahal was the first structure built in 1551, during the reign of Maharana Amar Singh, which was further developed during the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh to house the Mughal Prince Khurram. It was initially a small sandstone (yellow sandstone) palace with an imposing dome (which gives the appearance of a crown). The

serpentine, which has not been traced. The Mahal is surrounded by a roomy circular apartment built in white and black marble with murals and paintings considered an uncommon feature in Rajput architecture. On the western wing of the palace, this type of design has been repeated in three other pavilions.[1][2][9]

Jag Mandir

Jag Mandir is the main palace, which incorporates the Gul Mahal. The towers of the palace at the corners are octagonal in shape and are topped with

cupolas. A labyrinth of reception halls, residential suites, and internal courts were built inside the palace, all in Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. The Zenana (residence of royal ladies chambers) adjoins the palace. The Kunwar Pada ka Mahal (the Palace of the Crown Prince) is located at the western end.[1][10][11]

Entry pavilion

The pavilion at the entry to the palace is an impressive white colonnade of cusped arches. The landing jetty is also located for docking of boats arriving from the jetty of Bansi Ghat on the mainland near City Palace in Udaipur. The cruise is through the Pichola Lake. The pavilion is decorated with large elephants carved in stone, four on each side of the entry steps. They face the Lake Palace. The trunks of these elephants were damaged and replaced with

Aravalli hills.[1][6][12]

Garden

The flower garden in the palace complex is set up in the large Garden Courtyard. It has

moss rose. The courtyard itself is covered with black and white tiles. Fountains and water pools, crisscrossed by walkways with low marble handrails, bedeck the garden surroundings. The present Maharana hosts lavish parties here and also rents the place for private parties.[1][9]

Darikhana

Darikhana is on the northern side of the palace, which is an open-sided terrace built with marble columns. This place is now run as a restaurant by the present Maharana.[1]

Bara Patharon ka Mahal

Bara Patharon ka Mahal is located at the eastern wing of the main palace. Mahal is so named because twelve solid marble slabs have been used in its construction.[1] Hence, it is also known as the "Palace of the Twelve Stones".[1]

Visitor information

The Jag Mandir is approached only by boat from the Bansi Ghat jetty next to the Lake Palace in Udaipur.

In popular culture

The 1983 James Bond film, Octopussy featured the Jag Mandir as one of its main locations.

Gallery

  • An aerial view of Jag Mandir
    An aerial view of Jag Mandir
  • Engraving of the Jag Mandir palace, 1829
    Engraving of the Jag Mandir palace, 1829
  • Full View of Island palace Jagmandir, 1910
    Full View of Island palace Jagmandir, 1910
  • Closer view of the Jagmandir with the Gul Mahal at the back
    Closer view of the Jagmandir with the Gul Mahal at the back
  • Jag Mandir Palace from above, on Lake Pichola, Udaipur.
    Jag Mandir Palace from above, on Lake Pichola, Udaipur.
  • Gul Mahal, Jag Mandir Palace.
    Gul Mahal, Jag Mandir Palace.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jag Mandir Palace.
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Jag Mandir". Eternal Mewar: Mewar Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Palace of Jugmundur in Oodipoor Lake". British Library Online Gallery. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  3. ^ "Jag Mandir Palace". Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-81-284-0067-4. Retrieved 16 December 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  5. ^ "Jagmandir Palace, Udaipur". Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  6. ^
    ISBN 1-900949-92-X. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  7. ^ "Lake Pichola". National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  8. ^ "Pichola Lake". Eternal Mewar: Mewar Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  9. ^
    ISBN 0-88289-753-5. Retrieved 16 December 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  10. ^ "Pichola lake and island of Jagmandir, Udaipur. 'Decr. 1878'". British Library Online Gallery. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  11. ^ "Jugmandir Water Palace, [Udaipur]". British Library Online Gallery. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  12. ^ "Island palace Jagmandir, Udaipur 101214". British Library Online Gallery. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
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