JAIPUR ...the pink city
JAIPUR
...the pink city
Jaipur gets its name from its founder Maharaja JaiSingh II (1693-1744) the great warrior and astronomer. He came to power at the age of 11 on the death of his father Maharaja Bishan Singh. Jai Singh’s lineage can be traced back to the Kucchwaha Rajput, clan who came to power in the 12th century. They were long-term rivals to the Sisodia Rajputs who ruled from Mewar. This rivalry led them to ally with the Mughals, and this alliance resulted in them eventually gaining a pre-eminent position in Rajasthan.
Ruling from the magnificent Amber Fort which they built, the might of the Kucchwahas encompassed the kingdoms of Mewar (Udaipur) and Marwar (Jodhpur). After Jai Singh came to power, there was moment of disquiet when he supported Aurangzeb’s son Azam Shah’s bid to the throne. Azam Shah lost the battle of succession to his brother Bahadur Shah, who demanded Jai Singh’s removal and the installation of Vijay Singh to the throne of Jaipur. Jai Singh, not one to take setbacks lying down, formed a formidable front against the Mughals by aligning himself with other Rajput states and reinstated himself.
After the dust had settled, peace reigned and the kingdom prospered and its borders expanded. Jai Singh built the city around the Amber fort to serve as his capital, and the city was named Jaipur, after himself. Much of the credit for Jaipur goes to Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, the chief architect from Bengal who, with Jai Singh’s approval, founded the city on strong scientific principles, laid out according to the Shilpa Shastra, the ancient architectural manual. It remains one of India’s best planned cities.However, expansion meant that the limited sources of water proved inadequate for the city.
Must Visit Places in Jaipur
Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds
Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, or also called Palace of the Breeze, is one of the important places to visit in Jaipur. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1798, Hawa Mahal is a five-storey extension in the form of a honeycomb. This unique building has 953 small windows, called jharokas, decorated with intricate lattice work. The entire palace represents the crown of the Hindu God, Lord Krishna.
Even though this palace was built during ancient times, it reflects the scientific vision of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in a distinct way. The windows of this palace have been designed in such a way that irrespective of the time or season of the year, cool breeze always persists inside the palace. Due to this reason, Hawa Mahal was the favourite summer holiday destination of the Rajput family and is today a popular place to visit in Jaipur.
Another purpose of this palace was to prevent outsiders from catching a glimpse of the royal women. The incredible lattice of windows were designed in a way that it allowed a clear view of the outside world to the insiders, yet restricted outsiders from being able to stare inside the palace.
Amber Fort and Palace
Located amidst the picturesque and rocky Aravalli Hills, Amber Palace is a not-to-be-missed place to in Jaipur. The foundation stone of this palace was laid by Raja Man Singh I and was completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh. Beguiling beauty of the red sandstone and white marble adds to the magnificence.
While the high formidable walls defended its residents from enemy attacks, the main building of the citadel served its people with all the luxuries and amenitie.The scenic backdrop of the Maota Lake and panoramic views of sunrise and sunset contribute to the eternal beauty of this palace. Intricate wall paintings, frescos and the use of precious gems and jewels in these paintings add to its timeless beauty.
Sheesh Mahal or the ‘Palace of Mirror’ is also one of the captivating halls to visit within Amber Palace. Decorated with numerous pieces of mirror tiles, this hall was designed in such a way, even a single ray entering into it can illuminate the entire hall.
Bazaars of Jaipur
The local markets or bazaars of Jaipur are the most ideal places to visit in Jaipur to experience the vibes of the Pink City. Showcasing the tradition of the royal city and its glorious history, these markets has numerous stories engraved in every corner. You can choose to take a walking tour in jaipur to visit these beautiful markets.
Johri Bazar: Built by the founder of Jaipur, Johri Bazaar is the oldest as well as the largest shopping mall within the city. Known for precious gems and stones, timeless jewelleries and exquisite sarees, this marketplace is the busiest among all the bazaars in Jaipur. It is in fact, it is home to some of the costliest gemstones in the world!
Bapu Bazaar: While strolling through the colourful lanes of Jaipur, one cannot miss Bapu Bazar. Among the largest camel leather market in the world, this bazar has its own untouched legacy. It is known for its finest quality 'Morji' shoes and other leather goods like belts, wallets, lamp sheds, bags… the list continues.
Bapu Bazaar: While strolling through the colourful lanes of Jaipur, one cannot miss Bapu Bazar. Among the largest camel leather market in the world, this bazar has its own untouched legacy. It is known for its finest quality 'Morji' shoes and other leather goods like belts, wallets, lamp sheds, bags… the list continues.
Nahargarh Fort
To get a panoramic view of Jaipur city, Nahargarh Fort is the ideal place to visit. Built by Jai Singh II, Nahargarh Fort was originally named Sudarshangarh and was later renamed as Nahargarh or the Abode of Tigers. The then Maharaja of Jaipur constructed this fort in order to tighten the security of the region. It also served as a safety shelter to the British wives during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
Located on the rocky ridge of Aravalli Hills, Nahargarh Fort offers the most striking view of Jaipur’s scenic landscape. During the night, when the entire Jaipur city gets lit up, Nahargarh Fort offers the most sparkling view of the entire city.
Rooms in this fort are connected through common corridors and are well decorated with delicate wall and ceiling paintings. The royal families also used this fort as a popular destination for their summer excursions and as one of their picnic spots in Jaipur. Jungles around Nahargarh Fort served as popular hunting places for the Maharajas of Jaipur.
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