Samode Palace

This ochre and white hereditary home of the Nathawats, which rises like a solid block out of the earth, is about 400 years old. For the first half of its existence, however, it was little more than a fortified Rajput stronghold. It was only in the early 19th century, during the times of Rawal Bairi Sal Singh and his son Rawal Sheo Singh, who was also a minister in the Jaipur court, that the feudal castle begin to wear the sumptuous look that it is now famed for. The place glows with meenakari, an enamelling technique introduced by Man Singh I (ruled 1589-1614) when he brought master minakars from Lahore.