Central Museum - Jaipur
Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan in Western India, is a historic city and a famous tourist destination of the country. Known as the pink city, this city gained prominence under the reign of a ruling class known as the Kacchawas, rulers of the estate of Amber. The large number of tourist attractions of Jaipur includes some of the most splendid buildings in Rajasthan. The most famous among these is undoubtedly the Hawa Mahal. However, the tours of Jaipur also include visits to the other notable sites of the city, one of which is the Central Museum.
Also known as the Albert Museum, this majestic building was built under British supervision in 1876. The reigning king of Jaipur at that time was Maharaja Ram Singh, whose successor, Maharaja Madho Singh decided to convert the building into an art museum. The result is the Central museum of today, which is one of the major tourist attractions of Jaipur. The museum exhibits a wide variety of artifacts including paintings, sculptures, weapons, armors, jewelry, garments, coins, pottery and handicrafts of the region.
The paintings displayed in the museum include family portraits, elaborate war scenes and traditional themes taken form various folklores and legends of the region. The connoisseur of art will definitely appreciate the collection of miniature paintings belonging to the Bundi, Kota, Udaipur, Kishangarh and Jaipur schools of art, among others. In addition to the paintings, there is a fine collection of the weapons used in those days, armor suits, and other items of everyday use. The ceremonial dresses of the royalty are well preserved and indicate the amazing grandeur of the lifestyle of the Maharajas of Rajasthan.
Jaipur is famous for traditional jewelry designing, wood work, stone carving, and metal work, especially brass. The Central museum exhibits a rich and varied collection of some of the finest specimens of these works of art. Another important aspect of the museum is the collection of artifacts depicting the village life of the region, which includes pictures, pottery, garments and other items.
The architecture of the building is one of the most important features of the Central museum. The pillars, arches, and passages, built more on European lines, are a deviation from the other Rajasthani buildings of Jaipur. The magnificence of the museum, along with its exhibits makes the Central museum one of the major tourist attractions in Jaipur. It is one of the highlights of tourism in Jaipur, preserving the rich history and cultural heritage of the region.
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