Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum- Situated in the Chandra Mahal Palace, the museum displays the ancestral collections of former maharajas- paintings, manuscripts, maps, carpets, textiles, costumes, weapons and decorative art objects depicting courtly life in Jaipur state between the 16th and 19th century.

Located within the City Palace complex and nestled amidst old buildings, temples and the palace quarters, this museum was founded in 1959 by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. The exhibits consist of the ancestral collections built up by the successive rulers of Amer and Jaipur. A small selection of paintings, manuscripts, maps, carpets, textiles, costumes, weapons and armours was displayed in the Pothikhana (library) and the Silehkhana or armoury (both of these in their present form, were established in 1952) of the palace.

The Art Gallery is housed in the Diwan-i-Aam constructed for holding important State functions. A variety of objects-miniature paintings, illustrated manuscripts, decorated bookcovers, palm-leaf and Sanchipat manuscripts, old printed books, gigantic Mughal carpets, gold and silver Takhis-Rawan (movable throne), covered Ambabadis and open Howdahs, palanquins and carriages with richly embroidered velvet coverings are displayed in this gallery. There are rare bird and animal studies by Ustad Mansur, court scenes, battle scenes, portraits and mythological paintings by famous Mughal painters.

A very rare gold brocaded velvet throne carpet bearing seal marks and notes dating back to 1605 A.D., two richly embroidered window curtains belonging to the mid-seventeenth century and a finely woven gold and silk circular Thal-Posh (dish cover) also belonging to the seventeenth century are worthy of mention.

Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Ii Museum
City Palace
Jaipur
Rajasthan
Tel: 74146
Paintings, manuscripts, textiles, carpets, arms and weapons.
Library, guide service.
Timings: 0930-1645 hrs. Closed on Holi, Diwali, Dussehra,
Independance Day and Ghandi Jayanti.
Photography allowed.