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Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this
palace was fascinated with western lifestyles so he marshalled
the services of a well-known Edwardian architect, Henry
Vaughan Lanchester, a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens
(architect of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and
forty seven roomed Umaid Palace. Spectacular Central Rotunda,
the cupola rises to a hundred and five feet high; the Throne
Room with its exquisite Ramayana murals; an elegant wood-panelled
library, and even a private museum; an indoor swimming pool, a
Billiards Room, tennis courts and unique marble squash courts
makes Umaid Bhawan Palace is unabashedly the most magnificent. | 
India. It is situated on a
150 m high hill. It was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459.
The Mehrangarh Fort can be reached from the city, 5 kms
below, through a circular road. Seven gates have to be
crossed to reach the fort. The gates still bear the
marks of the various battles fought in the bygone era.
Its second gate still stands witness to canon ball hits
by attacking armies of Jaipur during wars. One of the
gates is Jayapol, meaning victory. It was built by
Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over
Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Another gate, Fattehpol,
again meaning victory, was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh
as a celebration for defeating the Mughals. One of the
fort's palaces, The Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace, has
the royal throne of Jodhpur, the Sringar Chowki. The
fort also has galleries, temples, etc 
