Jaigarh fort


Jaigarh Fort Location of The Fort At a distance of 15kms from Jaipur, stands the imposing Jaigarh Fort. Also called the Victory Fort, the Jaigarh Fort stands in the midst of thorn-scrub hills that impart a sterner look to the already forbidding Fort.The walls of the fort are spread over three kilometers. As one approaches the fort from the steep road that leads to the main gate, the Dungar Darwaza. Jaigarh or the 'Fort of Victory' is perched on Chilh ka Tola (Hill of Eagles), 400 feet above the Amber Fort. Once you enter through the massive south facing Doongar Darwaza. The other entrance to the fort is through the Awani Darwaza in the east. Whenever Man Singh I (late 16th century) or his successors won gold, silver, jewels and other valuables, they placed it in the Jaigarh Fort. and they had the loyal Minas to fiercely guard their haul. All this treasure were used while constructing Amber, then Jaipur. Indian Government officials tried to retrieve whatever was left; they dug the place in 1976 but found nothing. In fact they even drained the three arched water tanks in the hope of finding the fortune there. while are many views of peoples some say that everything was used up in building Jaipur while others claim that it is still there somewhere. Main Attractions of The Fort The Huge Cannon Jaigarh Fort is a remarkable feat of military architecture. After you enter, head straight for the gigantic cannon Jaivan perched on top of a tower. Weighing 50 tons with an 8m barrel and a trajectory of about 20km, it is said to be the world's largest cannon on wheels. Such was its might that it took four elephants to swivel it around on its axis. But it was never used. Despite its awesome firepower, it has a delicate scrollwork of birds, foliage and a roaring elephant at its mouth. Jaivan was test-fired once by Jai Singh in 1720 when the cannon ball landed at Chaksu which is about 38km away! and the impact of it was so enormous that a lake formed at the spot and many houses damaged at Jaipur at that time. The cannoneer died immediately after the firing, before he could even jump into water tank beside the cannon which was placed to avoid its impact Timings : 0900 - 1630 hrs. Entry Fee : Rs.10, Student - Rs.5 Still Photography charges : Rs.50 Video Photography charges : Rs.100