Jaigarh Fort was constructed at a strategic vantage point overlooking the Amer Town and Amer Fort. It was connected with Amer Fort. Indeed at present, it is possible to reach Jaigarh Fort from Amer through the cobbled path.
For many years, the sole selling point of Jaigarh Fort was the Jaivan cannon. It was promoted as the world’s largest cannon. It features in the list of largest canons in the world. In fact, only in certain specifications and parameters. Read the List of the largest cannons in the world
The official board mentioned the canon was fired more than once but never during a war. Over 100 kg of gunpowder was required to fire a 50 kg cannonball. The gun recoil was four feet; an eight feet screw was used to elevate the gun barrel. The cannon was cast at the gun foundry inside the fort in 1720 AD. The length of the cannon is 31’3″ and weighs 50 tons. The popular legend is that when it was test fired, the cannonball fell in Chaksu, a small settlement around 40 km from Jaipur. Another version mentions the cannonball landing in Tunga. It is difficult to verify which one is true.
Until a few years ago, the guard on duty at the Jaivaan canon would routinely ask every visitor to produce the camera fee ticket. The fort management trust charged a camera fee along with the entrance ticket. Many visitors skipped paying the camera fee either because they assumed they did not carry a camera or would assume no one will examine the ticket beyond the entrance. Visitors were in for a shock when they clicked pictures with their smartphones at the Jaivan; the guard wouldn’t allow clicking pictures because the camera fee was unpaid. It was not a prudent decision to impose a fee for photography inside the fort. It might be relevant in the 1980s but things have changed drastically over the last two decades. Across the world, photography is encouraged because it is free publicity. When people share pictures on social media, it promotes a tourist attraction or destination. Thankfully, things have changed and they don’t charge for photography.
