Jag Mandir is a fascinating palace that is built on an island in Udaipur. The palace has its exact location on the southern part of the beautiful Lake Pichola. Counted amongst the most prominent tourist attractions of Udaipur, the three storied palace is a fine example of Rajput style of architecture.
The construction of this structure of yellow sandstone and marble was completed in the 17th century by Maharana Jagat Singh I. Being a property of the Royal Mewar family, the palace was mainly governed as a summer resort by the rulers in the bygone era.
History
Construction of Jag Mandir Palace at first was started by Maharana Amar Singh of Sisodia Rajputs of the Mewar kingdom. The construction work continued later by the two succeeding rulers of the clan- Maharana Karan Singh and Maharana Jagat Singh I. Other than that, the palace has an interesting history revolving around it.
It all started with Maharana Karan Singh of the Sisodia Rajput clan, getting all benevolent with the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The Mughal ruler conspired against his father; Jahangir to be crowned the next king. On smelling danger in the execution of his plans, he sought refuge in the territory of Mewar kingdom, under the rule of Maharana Karan Singh.
The Mughal family (Shah Jahan with his wife and two sons) were shifted to various safe havens (palaces and forts) in the Mewar kingdom. In the end they were rested at a domed pavilion known as Gul Mahal, which was later transformed into a fascinating palace.
These friendlies between the Mughals and the Rajputs soon fell prey to the irony of time, when Maharana Amar Singh was defeated by the very hands of Shah Jahan, known by the name of ‘Khurram’ at that time.
The transformed Gul Mahal underwent various additions in the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh I. For his brilliant designing of the structure, the ruler came to be known as one of the best architects in all of the Mewar dynasty. It is due to this, the final structure was named as Jag Mandir, after him.
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