Jaigarh fort lies at the summit of a hill, a majestic sight with dominated by huge high towers. It was built by Man Singh I on the ruins of an earlier stronghold and is situated at distance of 15 kilometres from Jaipur. The fort is a mighty one with crenellated walls pierced by arrow slits and loops command the whole area and rise sheer from the natural bedrock. The ramparts run across the hill down the incline and up to the opposite range in the northeast. The fort currently remains the personal property of the maharajah.

The fort contains within it a number of other structures and monuments in the form of palaces, mosques and temples. For instance, the Raj Mahal or the Old Palace is the oldest part of the complex. It has been built overlooking the Maota Lake. It was built by Man Singh I from 1600 onwards, with a number of renovations and later additions made by his successors. It is approached by a paved, sinuous path passing five gates at intervals with a strong wall to either side. The Palace comprises numerous apartments disposed around a large courtyard. A high wall separates the palace of Jai Singh I. One passage leads to the Jai Mandir, another to Sukh Niwas. The focus of the huge courtyard is a baradari with marble mahals on the northern side and Mughal-style pillars; the remainder is of Hindu origin. The four corners are punctuated by high towers. At the rear there are latrines and baths.

A footpath from Dil-i-Aram joins the road near the gateway. On the lakeside are elephant stables. At the upper junction one path leads to the fort, the other to the palace gate, Sivaji Pol or Sun Gate, an arched gateway leading to Jaleb Chowk. The Jaleb Chowk is the courtyard lying beyond. It is surrounded by administrative buildings. On the west side, opposite Suraj Pol is Chand Pol or Moon Gate, a great barbican with guardrooms either side. To the south-west a broad flight of steps leads to Singh Pol or Lion Gate and the upper court. It is a double gate with a right-angled turn, enriched with faded frescoes. There are guardrooms on all sides.

The Shree Shila Devi Temple lies to the right. The idol housed in the temple was brought from Bengal by Man Singh I in 1604.

The first court beyond the Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience was built by Mirza Raja Jai Singh 1 in 1639. It is raised on a podium and approached by a double flight of steps. Originally open on all sides, the eastern facade was enclosed by a room added by Sawai Ram Singh II. The inner hall is rectangular, with a vaulted roof carried on grey marble columns in the Mughal style. The portico has a double row of red sandstone pillars with carved elephants. The roof is flat, with panels of intricate latticework.

On the southern side is Ganesh Pol, probably built between 1699 and 1725, but possibly as early as 1639. It is a beautiful structure, covered in mosaic and painted in delicate colours, with projecting oriels filled with the finest carved lattice screens. Held to be one of the finest gateways in the world, it leads into an open courtyard, where the royal apartments are grouped around a fine garden. The upper part of Ganesh Pol, the Sohag Mandir, comprises a beautifully coloured rectangular chamber with octagonal rooms to each side, which break out as oriels over the entrance.

The Jai Mandir or the Diwan-i-Khas, comprises a central hall surrounded by a deep veranda. The sides have oblong chambers and the back wall, facing the lake, has windows which promote a cool flow of air and from which there are stunning views across the lake. The main hall is white marble with square columns and floral ceilings in elegant relief of alabaster and glass inlay and other devices. On the roof of the Jai Mandir are further wonders in the Jas Mahal (1635- 40), luminescent with exquisite mosaics, spangled mirrors and brilliant colours, a cool summer retreat for hot nights. The carved marble screen faces across the lake and attracts refreshing breezes. The Sheesh Mahal is faced in mirrors with coloured ornament of fabulous intricacy. The carpets which once furnished this exquisite room are in the Albert Hall of the Jaipur Museum.

Near the Jai Mandir, in a wing of Ganesh Pol, is the hammam, a white marble bath. To the west is the Sukh Mandir, a pleasure room with a cool marble cascade enclosed in a marble framework pierced with foliated decoration. The doors are inlaid with ivory and sandalwood. The Bhojan Shala is in the west wing of Ganesh Pol. Once a dining-room, its walls are adorned with paintings of Delhi, Agra and other holy cities.

The Palace of Man Singh I is the oldest part of the complex and comprises numerous apartments disposed around a large courtyard. A high wall separates the palace of Jai Singh I. One passage leads to the Jai Mandir, another to Sukh Niwas. The focus of the huge courtyard is a baradari with marble mahals on the northern side and Mughal-style pillars; the remainder is of Hindu origin. The four corners are punctuated by high towers. At the rear there are latrines and baths.

Around the valley runs the outer curtain wall, the Sahar Panaha, fortified with bastions and towers. There are only five main gates but several entrances. The Birhi Darwaza is the most impressive, a large double gateway with a temple to Birhi Mala between the two entrances.

A number of other structures are also found located around Jaigarh. Panna Mian`s Tank (early 18th century) is square in shape, with octagonal corner kiosks and a double-storey verandah. On the left of the road to Delhi is the Jami Masjid, built for Akbar by the architect Bharmall in 1569. Following extensive subsequent alterations, it retains few original features. To the right of the Delhi road lie the Chhatris of the ruling dynasty. None carry inscriptions. Sagar Tank, with octagonal bastions and huge dams, lies north-west of Jaigarh. A chhatri stands on the upper dam.

The fort at Jaigarh is one of the most impressive among all the forts of Rajasthan.