Sabha Niwas (Hall of Public Audience)

The Sabha Niwas (Hall of Public Audience) was built during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (1778-1803) which was a period of development of local architectural skills and building craft. It is a specious assembly hall built on a high plinth formed by a platform. In its original form it was opened from three sides in the north and was surrounded by varandahs. The rear wall in south has double storied galleried closed with intricately carved stone screens. The maharanis and their retinue would come behind the stone screens to watch the grandeur of public Durbar when the courtiers would assemble in their prescribed dresses.

It was in this way very hall that the last Maharaja of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II (1922-1970) was sworn as Rajpramukh (Governor) of Rajasthan which marked the birth of a new state. The last durbar which took place in this very hall of public audience was on March 30, 1949.  

The works of art displayed on the walls include two remarkable large paintings on cloth depicting Lord Krishna celebrating Holi. A series of portraits of successive Maharajas, from Sawai Jai Singh II to Jagat Singh, is attributed to the master artist Sahib Ram and his studio. These life-size portraits, details of which are modelled in relief, are unique in Indian art. Later Maharajas are represented by large photographs or by paintings that are based on photographs.