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About the city

Jaipur, the 'Pink 'City' of India was the former capital of the Kachhawahas. It was founded in 1727, by Sawai Jai "Sijngh and was named after him. Jai Singh's various talents and tastes are well exhibited in his dream city. The designing of the city was entrusted upon a young and talented Bengali architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. Jaipur is perhaps the first plannted city of India and was laid with great precision on the basis of priniciples of 'Shilp shastra', the ancient Hindu treastise on architecture. The city was built in the form of a rectangle divided into blocks )chowkries) with roads and avenyes running parallel to the sides. In 1863, Jaipur dressed itself in Pink to welcome Prince Albert, consort of Queen victoria and the colour became an integral part of the city. Today, the city is a fine fusion of the city can excite even the most seasoned tourist. Jaipur is a shopper'' delight too, as a wide range of excellent handicrafts are available in the city.

Jaipur offers a typically Rajasthani cuisine. The Rajput non- vegetarian meal is complemented by the Marwari Vegetarian cuisine. Local specialities include several chickpea flour gravies but t, e favourite is Bati- choorma, small buns filled with clarifies butter, roasted on live coals. The non- vegetarian speciality is soola or barbecued meats marinated with a local vegetable. Keep a glass of water handy as most of the Rajasthani cuisine is hot and spicy.

Most hotels have excellent restaurants that serve a selection of these and international favourites. Most of the good restaurants are located on MI road and Raja Park.

Swarna Mahal at Rambagh Palace is a multi- cuisine restaurent with magnificent ambience. Surya Mahal at Raj Villas hotel and Gulab Mahal at Jai Mahal Palace provide multi- cuisine specialties. Besides the various hotel restaurants, there are some places where you find delicious food. Niro and Copper Chimney at M.I. Road serve good Indian food LMB at Johri Bazar and Natraj at M.I. road offer authentic Indian Vegetarian cuisine.

Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Wind, is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. It is an integral part of the City Palace- an extension of the women's chambers, standing away from the main complex.

The Rose Pink City founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for the first-time visitor. Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene which is almost magical at sunset. The Old City (Known as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around. The whole city was painted in Pink colour by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. Today, every home within the city is obliged by law to maintain his facade. It is a very well planned city laid out in a grid pattern and was designed by a Young Bengali engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar Bhattacharya".

Jaipur is the magical city, carved out of the desert. It is the picturesque capital of Rajastha that takes its name from the prince, soldier and astronomer Jai Singh II who moved his capital here is 1727.

A unique synthesis of the traditional and themodern, Jaipur provides today a fascination window into Rajasthan. The soft glow of its orange pink buildings and monuments, most magical at sunset, have fascinated visitors for over two centuries. The Pink City has been rightfully compared to Paris and Venice.

A city of the past that belongs to India's future. No tour in India can be complete without paying a visit to Agra and Jaipur where the palaces and forts of yester years witnessed royal processions and splendour and are now living monuments. Agra, an ancient city gained world fame during the Mughal era, specifically in the rign of Shah Jahan when he built Taj Mahal in memory of his wife, creating a monumentof such incredible elegance that the Taj is considered synonymous with beauty itself.

Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the 'Pink City' - a visitor's delight. Jaipur has massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and marvelous gardens.

Settled in the rugged hills of the Aravalis, Jaipur is the pristine jewel in the desert sands of Rajasthan. Jaipur is as remarkable for its marvellous architecture and town planning as it is for the lively spirit of the people who inhabit it. The city presents a unique synthesis of culture that has to be experienced in order to be appreciated.

With its origin buried deep into the pages of history, the city still exudes a magical old world charm; an aroma of chivalry and romance is evident, despite having evolved into a city that is the hub of modern commercial activity in the region. Tell-tale signs of the glorious past and regal splendour of the city lie strewn across with gay abandon.

Widely known as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is colour washed pink to welcome Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria of England who visited India in 1883 A.D. The city was founded in 1727 A.D by one of the greatest ruler Jai Singh II. Jaipur is surrounded by hills on three sides, crowned by formidable forts and majestic palaces, mansions and gardens. Jaipur is the only city in the world, which is sub-divided in to nine rectangular sectors symbolizing nine divisions of universe. Jaipur is the first planned city designed in accordance with 'Shilpa Shastra'- epochal treatise of Hindu architecture.

The lively spirit of fanfare, festivity and celebration of the people adequately match the colourful and intricately carved monuments. Even today, one can find weather beaten faces with huge colourful turbans, fierce moustaches and lips that spontaneously crease into a heart-warming smile. A city like Jaipur, where modernity and tradition live hand-in-hand, is truly rare. Perhaps this is what makes it an attractive destination for tourists who flock to Jaipur, year after year.

Demography

As of 2001 India census, Jaipur has a population of about 2,324,319. Male's consitute 53% of the population and females 47%. In Jaipur, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Jaipur was built in 1727 by king Jai Singh, after whom it was named. Its most striking feature is the pink wash applied to the buildings, giving Jaipur its universal title, the 'Pink City'. Jaipur, a royal city with its fairy - tale palaces, rugged fortresses display remarkable harmony in architectural splendor. Jaipur's craft, especially lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. Some of the palaces, once the residence of Maharajas have been converted to heritage hotels.

A rose petal welcome, rani pink turbans and gulal red festivals are not the only reasons why Jaipur is joyously celebrated as the Pink City. With fortressed walls and minarets that blush deep red sandstone hues, one can't help but think pink in Jaipur. From its historical architecture to its multi-coloured inhabitants, the city is a colourful profusion of fairy tale palaces, festivals and fairs, camel-drawn carts and quaint bazaars. Rajputs associate the colour pink with hospitality and the city was daubed pink by Maharaja Man Singh II in preparation for the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876. The tradition of pink continues today, as does the city's warm welcome to its neverending stream of visitors. It's no wonder that the capital of this wonderful state is also the tourist capital of India.

Orientation

The third corner of India's 'Golden Triangle' --300 km south west of Delhi and 200 km west of Agra - Jaipur lies on a dry lake bed in an arid landscape, surrounded by fortress-peaked hills. The capital city of Rajasthan has broken out of the confines of its historic, walled Pink City which now lies in the north east of present day Jaipur. The city's tourist spots lie in the walled city which also houses the Johari Bazaar, a prominent shopping area.

History

Jaipur, the pink city or city of victory was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Ji Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Being a brainchild of the maharaja, he took special interest in the designing, planning and execution works of Jaipur. The city has been divided into nine blocks of which two are kept for the City Palace Complex and other state buildings, whereas the other seven blocks were earmarked for the public. The city was encircled by the city wall, which opened at seven gates or darwazas. In 1728, Maharaja Jai Singh II built the remarkable observatory, which is still one of Jaipur's main attractions.

Jaipur, the pink city or city of victory was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Ji Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Being a brainchild of the maharaja, he took special interest in the designing, planning and execution works of Jaipur. The city has been divided into nine blocks of which two are kept for the City Palace Complex and other state buildings, whereas the other seven blocks were earmarked for the public. The city was encircled by the city wall, which opened at seven gates or darwazas. In 1728, Maharaja Jai Singh II built the remarkable observatory, which is still one of Jaipur's main attractions.

The history of the Pink City of Jaipur dates back to the 18th century, during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. When the increasing population of Amber (about 11 km from Jaipur) and acute shortage of water made it no longer habitable, Sawai Jai Singh selected Jaipur as his new capital. He founded the Pink City in 1727, with the help of his architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. The city was built according to the principles of Shilpa Shastra and thus became the first planned city of India. It follows the grid system with straight wide roads, streets and lanes. For reasons of safety and to ward off enemy attacks, the city was protected by a strong wall with seven gates. Thus Jaipur became the capital of the princely state by the same name. Sawai Jai Singh belonged to the Kachwaha clan of Rajputs that claimed descent from Rama, king of Ayodhya. A great mathematician and astronomer, he is known for the construction of a succession of observatories called the Jantar Mantar found across north India - the most magnificent being the one in Jaipur. However, by the end of the 18th century, Jaipur was attacked and portions annexed by the Jats of Bharatpur and the chief of Alwar. It was torn apart by internal troubles, disputes with Jodhpur and was plundered by the Marathas as well as Afghan raiders. A treaty in 1818 forged ties between Jaipur and the British and in the revolt of 1857, Jaipur supported the British. In the 19th century, the city grew rapidly and became prosperous. Its wide boulevards were paved and lit with gas and its chief industries were in metals and marble. A school of art was founded in 1868 and the city soon had three colleges and several hospitals, along with a community of wealthy and enterprising bankers.

Jaipur emerged as a planned city surrounded by high walls with seven gates. The city is in nine blocks, and its main axis, Tripolia Bazaar followed a slight ridge, which is why it is not tryly east- west. In the same way Nahargarh hill prevented the obvious three- by- three layout, and the ninth block had be tacked onto the south- eastern corner. Oddly enough, given its popular image, Jaipur die not start life as a pink city; initially it was white and later, when Jai Singh found this too glaring, each quarter was painted a different colour. The pink came only around 1850 when the place was restored by the then maharaja.

Modern History

In the post-independence period, Jaipur was retained as the capital of Rajasthan. Its last ruling family, like other royals, were allowed to retain their original title and received a privy purse until it was abolished in 1971. Jaipur's most famous royal is Maharani Gayatri Devi, the beautiful and feisty princess whose alliance as the third wife of Maharaja Man Singh strained relations with her own ruling family of Cooch-Behar. Acclaimed even by Vogue as the most beautiful woman in the world, the Maharani is a legend of sorts today. One of the few royals to survive in modern India by actively and successfully engaging in its politics, she is known for having won an election with the largest majority ever recorded in a democracy. Imprisoned during the Emergency in the Indira Gandhi regime, she emerged out of the crisis with dignity and retired from politics.

Recent History

In recent times, the BJP has dominated Jaipur politics. Here, caste continues to be the parameter that defines politics. In the December assembly polls of 2003, the BJP won seven of the eight assembly segments falling under the Lok Sabha constituency, wresting five of them from the Congress. Jaipur has shown alarming leanings towards communalism under the BJP that has been victimizing the minorities with attacks on Christians in the state. An unabashedly male dominated state, Rajasthan also continues to battle with women related problems such as dowry deaths, rape, infanticide and the odd sati.

Fairs and Festivals

Elephant Festival (Mar) The Elephant Festival is an inimitable event held annually in Jaipur. Groomed flawlessly, rows of elephants do a catwalk before an enthralled audience liked best fashion models to make this festival an amazing one.

Gangaur Festival (Mar-Apr)

The Gangaur Festival is the colourful and most important local festival of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the State with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva during July-Aug. It is the celebration of monsoon, harvest and marital fidelity in Jaipur. Gan is a synonym for Shiva and Gaur, which stands for Gauri or Parvati who symbolises saubhagya (marital bliss). Gauri is the embodiment of perfection and conjugal love which is why the unmarried women worship her for being blessed with good husbands, while married women do so for the welfare, health and long life of their spouses and a happy married life.

Teej Festival (Aug)

Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of the monsoon month of Shravan (August). The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the pleasing scent of the wet soil rises into the air. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva.

Kite Festival, Jaipur

From royal splendour to riotous egalitarianism , 14 January is celebrated in India as Makar Sankranti - heralding the transition of the sun into the Northern hemisphere. In Jaipur Kites virtually blot out the sky. Everyone joins in this riotous celebration and shouts of "Woh Kata Hai!" reverberate from rooftops to the accompaniment of drums as adversary's kites are cut down.

Entertainment

Ravindra Rang Manch (theatre) Another piece of attraction near the Albert Hall, is the Ravindra Rang Manch (theatre) with a modern art gallery and a performing art theatre both indoors and open air. Recently added joints of interest are streets dotted with food stalls, which promises a delicious variety of Indian fast food certainly relished by the tourists. .

Chokhi Dhani an ethnic village resort with a blend of rustic environment and modern amenities making it an important destination in Pink City. Chokhi Dhani gives the impression of a typical Rajasthani village and is perfect for both the business person or leisure traveller visiting the area. .