Albert Hall, Jaipur

Albert Hall, Jaipur (6 November, 2004)

Albert Hall (GPS: 26.91108, 75.81954) is a building in, Jaipur, Rajastan. It is situated in the Ram Niwas Gardens, was built by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II. Its Indo-Saracenic style of architecture is a combination of European style with traditional Indian elements. Albert Hall was named after Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, who was the Prince of Wales. Colonel Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob (1841-1917) designed Albert Hall. The foundation stone was laid in 1876 by Albert's son, the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII).

Today, Albert Hall is used as the Central Museum of Jaipur. It displays Rajastan's art and culture. This includes an exquisite collection of metalware, miniature portraits, sculptures, paintings, natural history specimen, even an Egyptian mummy and other objets d'art.

Within Albert Hall, Rajastani village life is showcased through costumes of the various regions, the pottery work, brassware and woodwork. The Durbar Hall houses several exquisite carpets including the magnificent Persian Garden Carpet, the world's largest carpet of its kind, and one of India's finest art treasures. The carpet was woven in Kerman, Persia in 1632, and depicted the garden of Paradise.

I was privileged to visit Albert Hall in Jaipur on the evening of 6 November, 2004. Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside the building, so I have no shots to show you from the inside. Nevertheless, the outside was sufficiently ornate to capture the essense of Jaipur architecture.