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Rajasthan
( Jaipur )
Introduction
Settled in the rugged hills of the Aravallis, Jaipur is the pristine jewel in the
desert sands of Rajasthan. Jaipur is as
remarkable for its marvelous architecture and
town planning as it is for the liverly 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 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. The colourful and
intricately carved monuments are adequately
matched by the lively spirit of fanfare,
festivity and celebration of the people. 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 this
is what makes it an attractive destination for
tourists who flock to Jaipur, year after year.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The historic
city of Jaipur or "The City of Victory" was founded in
1727 AD by the great Kanchhawah ruler Sawai Jai Singh II (1700-1747
AD), and named after him. The monarch was not only a great builder,
but also a poet and an astronomer. Under his aegis, the city was
designed by his talented architect Vidyadhar, who gave shae to the
creative aspirations of Sawai Jai Singh in the form of the dream
city of Jaipur.
The city is
rectangular in shape and divided into nine blocks on the basis
principles laid down in the "Shilpa Shastra", the ancient
Indian treatise on architecture. Built on the pattern of a grid, the
city has wide straight avenues, roads, streets & lanes and
uniform rows of shops on either side at the main Bazar, all arranged
in the nine rectangular city sector (Chokris). The principal
monuments of Jaipur are concentrated in the centrally situated
Palace area (Chokri) in and around the city Palace.
In course of
time, the sunset-pink tinge of its walls, buildings & temples
gave it the name Pink City.
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