GENERAL INFORMATION

Alwar, amongst the Rajput principalities was closest to imperial Delhi, influencing the people and history of the region, formerly known as Mewat, The people of Alwar developed a hardy, but carefree attitude to life. They did not submit to alien rule, and often rebelled. They were daring adventures and marauders in the 12^th and 13^th centuries they banded together and raided Delhi at night. The western gates of the capital had to be barred every evening against their coming. Sultan Balban (1267-1287) finally crushed their disorganized resistance and as a result they come under Muslim rule. In 1771, Maharaja Pratap Singh, A kuchhwaha Rajput belonging to the same clan as the one that ruled Jaipur, won back Alwar and founded a principality of his own.

Alwar lies equidistant from Delhi and Jaipur. The Aravallis break up in a beautiful little valley with small hills and rocky crags before trailing off in the final spine that runs right up to and through Delhi, known there as the Ridge. The city nestles between several small hills, on the most prominent made this area the haunt of animals and birds. Rich in wildlife. Alwar has one of the finest sanctuaries in Rajasthan.

WHAT TO SEE

THE FORT

This fort is a witness to many historical events. Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, spent a few days here and when he left, he took away the hidden treasurers for his son, Humayun. Akbar’s son, Salim, later emperor Jahangir, shen in wxile lived here for some time. The place where he stayed is called Salim Mahal now in ruins. It was finally conquered by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1775 AD.

The fort is 595 metres above sea level and 304 metres above the city, and extends about 5 km from north to south and 1.6 km from east to west. It has 15 large and 51 small towers containing 446 openings for musketry. And eight large towers all around defend it.

There are several gates, namely, Jai Pol, SurajPol, Laxman Pol, Chand pol, irishan Pol and Andheri Gate. Though most of the structures are now a sad state, their historical significance is still important. There are the remains of Jal Mahal, Mikumbh Mahal, Salim Sagar, suraj Kund and many temples. The view of the city below, from the watch towers of the battlements, is breathtaking.

CITY PLACE OR VINAY VILAS MAHAL

Today it is more popularly known as the Vinay Vilas Mahal. The architecture of the palace is very traditional. Constructed in late 18^th century it has traces of both Rajput and Mughal styles of architectures.

The ground floor areas have now been converted into Government offices and district courts. The palace museum is in one upper apartment of the palace.

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM

The museum probably has the richest collection of Mughal and Rajput paintings of the 18^th and 19^th centuries. There are some rare and precious ancient manuscripts in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Sanskrit. Notable amongst these are ‘Gulistan’ (the garden of roses), ‘Waqiat-Babri’ (autobiography of the Mughal Emperor Babur) and ‘Bostan’ (the garden of spring).

It also has a copy of the ‘Mahabharata’ painted by the artists of the Alwar school. Another special collection here is the collection of Indian armoury-rare diverse and amazing.

Behind the City Palace, are located other monuments worth a visit. There are a few temples on the bank of ‘Sagar’, the artificial Lake built by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1815 AD. A beautiful chhatri, unique in its style of the unusual Bengali roof and arches. A also known as the Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri is situated in this area.

PURJAN VIHAR (COMPANY GARDEN)

Originally known as Company Bagh later it was changed to Purjan Vihar by Maharaja Jai Singh.

The garden was laid of during the reign of Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh in 1868 AD. It has an enchanting setting known as ‘Simla’ which was built by Maharaja Mangal Singh in 1885 AD. The cool shades and lush greenery of this well laid garden never let the heat of summer step in.

EXCURSION

VIJAI MANDIR PALACE

10 km. The royal residence, built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1918 overlooks a scenic, rippling lake. A splendid temple of Sita Ram, is visited by of devotees especially on the occasion of Ram Navami, Prior permission from the Secretary is required to visit the palace.

SILLISERH LAKE AND PALACE HOTEL

13km. it offers bewitching scenery. The twinkling ripples, covering 10.5 sq km is surrounded by thick wooded hills with beautiful chhatris on the embankment.

Cradled in the hills and overlooking the lake is a magnificent royal Hunting Lodge/Palace. It was built by maharaja Vinay Singh for his queen Shila in 1845. Now it has been converted as Hotel Lake Palace, a delightful spot for filmmakers and water sports enthusiasts (boating and sailing).

JAI SAMAND LAKE

6 km. Accessible by road from Alwar. It is a large artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1910. It makes an excellent picnic spot during the rainy season with beautiful lush greenery all around.

SARISKA

37 km, Nestling in a picturesque valley of the Aravallis a forest comes to life. It pulses a beat of its own. The nature’s rhythm reveals wildlife in its own natural habitat. This sanctuary established in 1955, offers an exceptional opportunity to see a variety of animals at a close range. There are tiger, nilgai (blue bull), sambhar, cheetal, four-horned antelope and wild bear. The thick forests here are the dry deciduous type and cover an area of 480 sq km.

There is a spectacular palace here built by Maharaja Jai Singh in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh when he visited the sanctuary, recently converted into a hotel.

SHOPPING

Jewellery and other handicraft items. A sweetmeat specially made of mild-kalakand is not to be missed.

HOW TO GET THERE

AIR

Delhi 163 km is the nearest airport.

RAIL

Good connection from prominent locations in and around the State, Superfast Shatabdi Express and intercity Express links with Jaipur and Delhi.

ROAD

Alwar is well connected by road from Jaipur and Delhi.