5/5 Rajesh K. 2 years ago on Google
Situated
at
a
distance
of
about
160
km
from
the
Jaipur
Airport,
inside
the
walled
city
of
Karauli
is
situated
the
former
residence
of
its
Yaduvanshi
rulers,
referred
to
as
the
City
Palace.
Built
by
Arjun
Pal,
founder
of
Karauli
in
the
14th
century,
the
city
palace
appears
as
a
grand
spectacle
overlooking
the
equally
colourful
bazaars
of
Karauli.
Interestingly,
the
rulers
of
the
region
believed
they
were
descended
from
the
hallowed
cowherd,
Lord
Krishna.
A
Yadav
clan
of
mercurial
Rajputs,
they
refused
to
use
‘Singh’
as
a
surname
or
title
since
they
felt
it
was
trifle
insensitive
to
use
the
term
that
translated
into
a
lion,
for
a
bloodline
that
considered
themselves
the
protectors
of
cows.
Therefore,
the
surname
that
did
seem
appropriate
was
‘Pal’,
which
implies
protectors
of
cows,
was
adopted.
Sandstone,
belonging
to
the
Vindhyan
supergroup
from
the
Proterozoic
age,
a
building
material
that
adorns
much
of
North-India’s
heritage
is
mined
close
by,
and
therefore
its
extravagant
use
is
seen
here.
This
sandstone
adorns
the
palace
in
its
several
hues
of
red,
white
and
off-white.
Large
chattris
and
jharokhas,
with
bangladhar
roofs
ending
in
tapering
chajjas,
a
characteristic
feature
of
the
palaces
of
Rajasthan,
adorn
the
palace.
Intricate
lattice
work
with
sculpture,
stucco
work
and
wall
paintings
complete
the
picture
in
this
impressive
residence.
Windows
in
painted
glass
add
to
the
ambience
of
the
interiors.
Weather
control
in
the
desert
heat
was
given
due
importance
in
the
palace
architecture
of
Rajasthan.
Techniques
for
cooling
palaces
and
forts
by
cross
ventilation
as
in
jaalis,
jharokhas,
wind
towers
etc.
were
applied.
Shading
devices
were
also
effectively
employed.
Jaalis
or
window
lattices
were
fashioned
out
of
the
sandstone
itself
and
worked
like
apertures
in
walls,
providing
appropriate
amounts
of
sun,
wind
and
light,
facilitating
both
view
and
ventilation.
Jaalis
helped
in
lowering
the
temperature
since
they
increased
the
velocity
of
the
wind
by
compressing
the
air
passing
through
the
mesh.
Jaalis
were
thus
an
important
element
in
the
14th
century
City
Palace
of
Karauli.
Inlet
and
outlet
areas
in
the
halls
were
located
opposite
each
other
for
a
cooling
effect,
while
other
rooms
were
cooled
by
the
chimney
effect.
The
latter
is
where
cool
air
enters
at
lower
levels
and
absorbs
the
heat
of
the
room,
becomes
lighter,
rises
and
exits
through
windows
or
ventilators
in
the
upper
portion.
These
elements
are
visible
at
the
entrance
gates
as
well
as
within
the
palace.
Within,
the
Diwan-i-Aam
has
attractive
work
on
the
walls
with
floral
patterns
in
bright
colours.
This
hall’s
upper
floor
has
marvellous
jaali
work
on
the
walls
from
where
Ranis
could
watch
over
the
proceedings
in
the
hall.
The
Rang
Mahal
is
well-known
for
its
magnificent
coloured
glass
jharokhas
and
mirror
work
that
spread
ambient
light
into
the
living
quarters.
Barahdwari,
a
hall
for
entertainment,
is
lined
with
portraits
of
the
kings.
1 person found this review helpful 👍
