Mubarak Mahal or The Hall of Welcome Jaipur

An ornate gateway called as Virendra Pol leads to this double storied marble complex, immediately opposite to Jantar Mantar. The Mubarak Mahal can also be approached from the Diwan-I-Khas through Rajendra Pol, a beautiful gateway flanked exquisitely carved stone elephants. This excellent structure was built by Sawai Madho Singh II in 1899, as a guest house for the Maharaja and today it is a part of the Palace Museum. The Indo-Saracen architecture of the building reflects Rajput and Persian influence. The design of the building is based on the same cosmological plan, as the city itself and is is divided into 9 × 7 square grid. The exterior of the palace is beautifully decorated with fine marble.

It houses the textile section of the museum, where an array of stylish royal costumes, shawls, kamarbandhs and embroideries etc. are displayed. The costumes of Madho Singh I (one of Jai Singh’s sons), who was over seven feet tall and weighed 250 kg. are most interest to look at. Musical instruments like giant tanpura, sarangis and sehanai etc., which were used to entertain the rulers are also on display.