Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort, or Victory Fort, was once responsible for the security of both Jaipur and Amber. A huge moated fort, it is the most imposing (from the outside) of the three hilltop forts that overlook Jaipur. During the Mughal era, the Jaipur region was a major weapons-producing center for both the Mughal and Rajput rulers. It is one of the few military structures of medieval (over 7 centuries) India preserved almost intact, containing palaces, a granary, a well-planned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon – the Jaivan, the largest cannon in the world. Jaigarh does not have the delicate structures or palaces like that of Amber or Delhi but is a hard-core fortress in the medieval sense, although there is a breathtaking view to the outside from the beautiful garden. It was built between the 15th and the 18th century, and stands 15 km from Jaipur, amidst rock-strewn, thorn-scrub covered hills. Its forbidding stone ramparts are visible from the Jaipur town. A steep road goes up to the main gate, the Dungar Darwaza, from where the view is stupendous. It was the royal treasury for several years. Interestingly, the fort was sealed for seven years, due to a rumour that an enormous treasure in gold was buried at the fort. The government looked under every rock of the fort, emptied the reservoirs of water but eventually found nothing.
