Jal Mahal

As historic monuments go, the 18th-century Jal Mahal at Jaipur is celebrated as much for its jewel-like form as it is for the mystery of its origins. This book is the story of a remarkable conservation effort spearheaded by visionary patronage and a team of dedicated professionals who made it their mission over five years [2006 to 2010] to help revive the monument and restore the ecosystem of the surrounding Man Sagar Lake. This is the story of a pleasure pavilion, a space for respite created in an era where enclosed pleasure garden formations moved from Mughal patronage to Rajput inception. The story of the Jal Mahal’s resurrection is of an ecological approach to conservation, of historic study, careful planning, and finally of cultural re-integration of a depleted past. The book chronicles a new approach to restoration and revitalization allowing the monument to go beyond its past glory and contribute to the city’s economy. Today, as visitors step back in time, a certain reverie helps capture the intimacy of a bygone moment in perfect harmony with nature. A far pavilion has been rejuvenated and Jaipur today proudly reclaims a magical bit of its history.