Ajmer is a city full of palaces and forts, but one that stands out from the rest is Akbar’s Palace.
Built in 1570 A.D., this palace was made nearly uncrackable and impregnable with the town walls of stone that surround the entire palace.
Legend has it that Akbar built this palace with the idea of using it as a home during his pilgrimages and visits to Ajmer. But that’s not all – this palace played a pivotal role in history as the site of a very important meeting between Sir Thomas Roe of the British East India Company and Emperor Jahangir.
When the British took over Ajmer, Akbar’s Palace was transformed into a house for munitions and renamed as the ‘Rajputana Arsenal’.
In 1908, a portion of the palace was transformed into a museum. So now you can ogle at some impressive military weapons and armor, including a massive idol of Goddess Kali made up of black marble.
This palace is heavily decorated with several rooms that are just begging to be explored. The walls of stone that surround the palace consist of a double-storied bastion enclosed with a chain of columns that is held jointly by bends at the top. That’s some serious engineering if you ask us!
And if you’re feeling like a bit of a history nerd, head on over to the museum within the palace. Open on all weekdays except Fridays, this museum houses some of the most beautiful sculptures of stone sourced from towns like Sirohi, Pushkar, and Pisangan. You can also feast your eyes on delicate miniature paintings and the choicest collection of Rajput and Mughal armor.
Located close to the main railway junction of Ajmer and to the right of the famous Dargah Sharif, Akbar’s Palace is just a five-minute walk away. So what are you waiting for?