Elephant Howdahs

Elephant Howdahs

The howdahs were a kind of two-compartment wooden seat (mostly covered with gold and silver embossed sheets), which was fastened on to the elephant back. The front compartment with more leg space and raised protective metal sheet was meant for kings or royalty and rear smaller ones for a reliable bodyguard disguised flywhisk attendant. This gallery displays fine examples of elephant seat from the museum collection, which is regarded as the best in the country. 

A priceless and unique historical piece is the silver howdah of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, as a mark of special honor presented this howdah to maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur with an elephant along with 100 horses, on 18th December 1657. Besides this, there are other howdahs of considerable historic importance and cultural significance

About related places in Suncity.

Rai-ka-Bag Palace :
This palace is situated near Raika Bag palace railway station. It was constructed in 1663 by Hadiji, queen of king Jaswant Singh-I. King Jaswant Singh-II liked this palace very much. He mostly stayedin the octagonal bunglow of this palace. In 1883 when Swami Dayanand Saraswati came to Jodhpur, his sermons were arranged for the public in the public ground of this palace. Even Jaswant Singh used to listen to Swami Dayanand in this palace only. Now income tax office functions in this palace.

Sur Sagar Palaces :
There were hill ranges a mile away from Jodhpur. Raja Sur Singh made a pond there with beautiful gardens and palaces. These palaces are made on rectangular platforms made of white Makrana Marble. Two palaces opposite each other belong one each to ladies and gents. The palace for men was used by the king and other royal men, while the ladies' palace was used by queens and their friends. Two large halls were constructed on thr sides of the palaces, which were used by the maids and servants. The security walls made around the palaces, carved domes and arches are proof of the fine architecture of the medieval period. The passage to the palaces starts after a large gate. Open grounds outside these were used to elephants and horses. When Marwar entered in an agreement with British Government in 1817, these palaces were converted into the residence and office of the British Ambassdor in 1838. Jodhpur's 1st Post Office was opened in the meeting halls of these palaces.