Jaipur the Pink City

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Jaipur History

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Jaipur was founded on 18th November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a Kachawaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Initially his capital was Amber (now pronounced as Amer), lies at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II felt the need of shifting his capital city because of safety reasons as it was likely to be attacked by a Mughal King Bahadur Shah after the death of Aurangzeb. Ever-increasing population and growing scarcity of water also pushed him to set up a well planned city.

Jaipur Hawa Mahal Photo | Jaipur Architecture Photo | Jaipur Forts and Monuments Photo
Jaipur Hawa Mahal Photo | Jaipur Architecture Photo | Jaipur Forts and Monuments Photo

Being a great soldier, builder, mathematician, astronomer, and a poet, he had a vision to built-up a well-planned city with his royal taste that should be a good administrative unit, prime centre of business, prominent political unit, centre of spiritualism and a patron of various Indian culture and arts.

His ambitions and vision took shape in the form of Jaipur - the first planned city of northern India. At that time, Jaipur was also one of the best planned cities of the World.

Jaipur founder Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II consulted several architects before making the lay out of Jaipur. Finally, he sought advice from Vidyadhar Bhatt, a Brahmin architecture scholar of Bengal, to aid him design the city architecture. The construction of Jaipur city started in 1727. It took around 4 years to complete the major palaces, roads and chaupads (square). Every palace, road and street of Jaipur was planned according to Indian Vastu Shastra (Vedic or Pouranic Planning for the comfort and prosperity of the citizens as well as safety of the city from natural disasters and enemies).

For the time, Jaipur architecture was very advanced and certainly the best in India. In 1853, when the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur, the whole city was painted pink to welcome him. Jaipur got the name "Pink City" first time at that time. The old city (known as four-wall city) is still painted and maintained in pink.

In order to make Jaipur city a commercial hub, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II invited numerous experts of various arts and crafts from different corners of India, facilitated them to reside here, and honoured them with land, money and daily needs; so that they can shape their art. That's why, today, Jaipur is renowned for its Best Architecture in the world, Indian Vastu, Monuments, Temples, Culture, Miniature Painting, Wall Painting, Blue Pottery work, Stone Carving work, Wooden Handicraft, Metal Work, Handicraft work on Camel Leather, Bangles, Gems and Jewellery, Saree (traditional wear of Indian women), Hand Made Puppets, Block printed bed sheets (hand work), Bandhej (Tie and Dye fabric), and other Handicraft work.

Jaipur Castles, Jaipur Forts, Jaipur Gates, Jaipur Museums, Jaipur Havelis (huge buildings), and Jaipur Streets, all are the excellent examples of the Best Architecture of Jaipur which is influenced by Mughal and Rajput genre.

That's why, A Rajasthani proverb asks: "Je na dekhyo Jaipario, to kaal mein aakar kya kariyo?" ("What have I accomplished in my life, if I have not seen Jaipur?").

Suggested Readings for Jaipur


Jaipur Forts and Monuments

Jaipur Travel Guide

Jaipur Festivals and Fairs

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Jaipur, About Jaipur, Jaipur History, Travel, Hotels, Cheap Flights, Holidays, Vacations, Trip Advisor, Things to do, India, Rajasthan, Travel Agency, Air Tickets, Heritage, Travel Planner, Monuments, Car Rentals, All Inclusive Packages

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