Deeg Palace
Deeg in the 18th century, was the capital of Jat rulers. The central citadel, set up in 1730 is square in layout and stands on a slightly raised ground.
The whole monument is encircled by a shallow wide moat.
The protective walls are 8 km in circumference pierced by 10 gateways and studded with 72 bastions.
The gateway to the fort is protected with anti-elephant strikes.
The most impressive are huge towers haughtily piercing the sky. The towers are fitted with cannons to take a good shot at any approaching enemy
Within the fort, is the Suraj Mal Haveli with its typical bangaldar style - which is a typical Bengali curved bamboo roof, imported to Rajasthan by Bengali architect of Jaipur - Vidyadhar Bhattacharya.
The following are the important monuments inside the Deeg Palace.
Singh Pol
This is the main entrance to the palace complex. It is an unfinished structure having a central projection on north. Architecturally, it appears to be a work of relatively later period. The gate is named after two lions sculptured in front of the archway.
Gopal Bhawan
This is the largest and most admirable of all the buildings. Its reflection into surrounding sheet of water imparts a unique charm to ambiance. The Bhawan has a central hall flanked by wings of two low storeyed annexes on either side. On its water front, two oblong basement storeys were constructed as summer resorts. The central projection is carved with majestic arches and imposing pillars. A room in the northern wing contains a black marble throne-platform believed to be spoils of war brought by Jawahar Singh from the imperial palaces of Delhi.
The Gopal Bhawan is flanked by two small pavilions known as Sawan and Bhadon Bhawans to its north and south respectively. Each pavilion is a two storeyed structure of which only the upper one is visible from front and has a fascinating palanquin-shaped roof crowned by a row of elegant spikes.
Suraj Bhawan
This is the most extensive and splendid building in marble inside the palace complex. It was built by Surajmal. This is a single storey flat roofed building. The Bhawan consists of a verandah all around with five arched openings and rooms flanking at the corners. The Bhawan was originally built of buff sandstone to which white marble was encased subsequently. The dados of the central apartment are bordered with excellent pietra dura work.
Kishan Bhawan
The Kishan Bhawan is situated towards the southern fringe of the complex. This building has well-decorated and extensive panelled façade broken by five large central archways and a huge fountain feeding tank on its terrace. The spandrels of middle and front arches are adorned with intricately carved arabesques. Interiorly, the back wall has an alcoved balcony with carved façade and false curved roof representing a foliaged hut.
Hardev Bhawan
The Hardev Bhawan is situated behind Suraj Bhawan, having a vast garden in front laid out in charbagh pattern. The mansion subsequently underwent certain additions and alterations during the time of Surajmal. The building on the south is double storeyed. The ground floor consists of a projecting central hall, faced with arches springing from a row of double pillars. Behind is an arcaded colonnade running along three sides. The rear part is crowned by a chhatri bearing a spiked curved roof. A narrow gallery screened with obliquely-cut jails runs at the back of the upper floor.
Keshav Bhawan
Commonly known as baradari, Keshav Bhawan is a square single storeyed open pavilion situated along Rup-Sagar. Centrally, the bhawan is diversified by an arched running on all sides and forming an inner square. The bhawan originally included an elaborate device to reproduce the effects of monsoon. There were stone balls in the ceiling which could be agitated by piped running water to create the noise of thunder and the water was released through spouts above the arches to fall as rain in sheets around the open hall. A broad canal is running round the edge of the pavilion.
Nand Bhawan
The Nand Bhawan is situated towards the north of the central garden. It is a spacious oblong hall raised on a terrace and enclosed by grand arcade of seven openings. The ceiling of the central portion of the hall is made of wood. Like other buildings it is also having a tank in front and well finished exterior.
Purana Mahal
Built by Badan Singh, Purana Mahal is planned as a spacious rectangle with an interior consisting of two separate courts. It continues the tradition of a typical palace. It has impressive exterior. The arches are both of engrailed and pointed types.
The royal abodes are planned along the periphery of the central garden and flanked by two reservoirs i.e. the Rup Sagar on the east and the Gopal Sagar on the west.
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