The City Palace Preface

Badi Chitrashali

Badi Chitrashali was built by Maharana Sangram Singh II (r. 1710 1734 CE) and later some decorative work and addition were carried out by Maharana Bheem Singh (r. 1778 1828 CE). The door at the end opens into an open courtyard with veranda on three sides. On the east, Maharana Sangram Singh II built Badi Chitrashali, Shiv Vilas which dates back to the early 18th century named Chini Chitrashali later due to decoration with blue Chinese tiles, which were brought by Portugese travellers; in the alcoves, Dutch Delft tiles added in 19th century on the east wall and columns which makes it of a high artistic value. Dutch Delft Tiles indicates a story of escape from Egypt. These tiles were brought as a gift to Maharana by the Dutch traders who used to travel between Europe and Dutch East Indies. The glass inlay work on the west wall comprises of European travellers, most likely Portuguese. From this balcony, a panoramic view of the city of Udaipur to the distant hills in the east can be seen. The veranda space has also projected Jharokha (Chini Jharokha). This space was used by rulers for small events and performances. The triple arch projected Jharokha, Chini Jharokha with cusped arched openings forms an important architectural feature on the eastern facade of The City Palace (located right above the main entrance of the Mardana Deodi). The chatris on the top are reflective of the architectural styles propagated by Maharana Sangram Singh II and are distinct features in the palace skyline. On north side of this balcony is a small chamber called Vani Vilas where in 1880's historic scholar 'Kaviraj Shymaldas' sat and wrote the most comprehensive history of Mewar rulers known as 'Veer Vinod' in four volumes during the reign of Maharana Sajjan Singh (r. 1874 1884 CE). He also added here rare Sanskrit and Persian manuscript and it could be called the first Library of Udaipur.

In the northern wing Kishan Vilas was built by Maharana Sangram Singh II (r. 1710 1734 CE). It was later renovated by Maharana Bheem Singh as a memorial shrine dedicated to his sixteen year old daughter, Princess Krishna Kumari, who poisoned herself to save her family from complications caused by her marriage alliance. Kishan Vilas is a colonnaded block, with seven cusped arches opening into the courtyard. Madan Vilas, the southern wing, built by Maharana Bheem Singh, was originally a veranda space similar to the Kishan Vilas. Badi Chitrashali is the spectacular courtyard which has impressive pavilions and chambers with paintings and murals and panoramic views of Lake Pichola and its island Palaces. It was built in early 18th century with two wings: northern and eastern, and wall with a jharokha on

the west. Southern wing of the Madan Vilas added in the 18th century. The flooring is an earlier 20th century intervention. This is like a square courtyard constructed during the reign of Maharana Sangram Singh II (r. 1710 - 1734 CE) along with the adjacent chambers, namely the Badi Chitrashali on the eastern side and the Kishan Vilas ka Sat Tanka to the north. The southern edge was later defined by the block called Madan Vilas, added by Maharana Bheem Singh. This courtyard or open verandah is part of the tourist route and falls between the courtyards of the Baadi Mahal and The Mor Chowk, where perhaps the best view of Lake Pichola is available. This courtyard finds reflection in paintings, depicting the monarch, engaged in entertainments, music and dance performances in what appears as more private functions than those held in The Mor Chowk. The courtyard has high significance value, being the central space connecting built blocks of significance and associational value with the life style of the Maharanas as it was used for their entertainment through music and dance performances.

Title: East side of Chini Chitrashali (Badi Chitrashali),
The City Palace, Udaipur
Photographer: K. L. Syed & Co., Process: Gelatin silver print Period: c. 1930-1950, Accession No. 2009.10.0166-00016

Badi Chitrashali