The imposing Nahargarh Fort looms over Jaipur…View image and, supposedly, there is a secret passage from the City Palace to this fort that was designed to be used as an escape route for the Maharaja and royal family.

The City Palace, along with its Hawa Mahal, is one of the three big sights in Jaipur. This beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign and covers a series of gardens…View image, courtyards and buildings. The premises consist of separate buildings and you could spend an entire day inside the unique museums showcasing weapons, silver vessels, art galleries while enjoying the architecture at leisure. Unfortunately, the majority of tourists, including us, don’t have the time to spend.

When ex-Marine and I visited, the current Maharajah still lived in one section of the Palace. Royal servants and guards stood outside the entrance to ensure no one tried to enter and the Royal flag was flying that day to show he was in residence. Ah yes…it’s good to be king or a Maharajah….

There are a few main areas to visit. The Diwan-I-Khas is a hall meant for private audiences with two sterling silver vessels that are supposed to be the world’s largest silver vessels. The Diwan-I-Aam is an art gallery with painted ceilings and rare Hindu manuscripts. Mubarak Mahal was built to entertain guests and has been converted into a costume gallery displaying royal attire. The Maharani’s Palace was lived in by the royal queens and has been converted into a museum showcasing weapons that date back to the 15th century. Last but not least is the Chandra Mahal with seven floors, each one with a different name, often regarded as the best part. Whatever section of the City Palace you visit (and you will visit…every tourist does), you’ll find mirror work on walls and ceiling and exquisite paintings.

If the remainder of our Rajasthan journey was one-quarter as magnificent as Jaipur, it was going to be some trip!