Jaipur

The historic city center

The entire pink-colored inner city is encircled with a high thick old city wall. This includes three important gates; the Chandpol, the Ajmer and the Sanganeri gate which have all been renovated. There are a number of bazaars within the walls.

A number of indispensable sights are present in the walled city;

 Hawa Mahal:

Jaipur's most eye-catching city symbol Hawa Mahal is also sometimes called the Palace of Winds. This pink sandstone five-storey building was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.

It is a narrow building, which consists of many small windows at the front. These windows provided a cool wind for the women of the Maharaja. This palace was built to give the women the opportunity to look at the streets and processions without being seen (the purdah system) themselves.

Iswari Minar Swarga Sal

Near the "Tripolia" gate you will find the minaret of Iswari Minar Swarga Sal pointing out in the sky. This was built by the son of "Jai Singh's" son who preferred to choose death rather than waiting for the advancing armies of the Maratha.

You can climb the top of the minaret and enjoy the beautiful views of the old city. 

Jantar Mantar:

The Janta Mantar suppose the be the largest stone observatory in the world. It was founded by Sawai Jai Singh, and is one of five observatories in India.

Sawai Jai Singh was very interested in science and technology, especially in astronomy. The observatory is located near the entrance of the City Palace. There are 18 instruments, most of which are still working. You can get an interesting tour here. 

City Palace:

The Royal Palace is a large complex with buildings, courtyards and gardens. The outer walls were once built by Jai Singh although the rest is more recent, some even of the 20th century. It is built in a mix of Rajasthani and Mogol architecture and has two entrances.

It consists of the Mubarak Mahal, the welcome palace which is a reception area for visitors. Other attractions are the Maharaja Sawai Mansingh museum (including many Royal costumes), the weapons-museum and Diwan-i-Am. Behind the large courtyard is the seven storey floor Chandra Mahal where the Maharaja lived - unfortunately it is not open to the public. 

Other attractions:

• The Central Museum, the Nahargarh (the tiger fort), the Royal Gaitor (tombs of ao Maharaja Jai Singh II), Galta (the Temple of God or monkey) and the Laxmi Naryan temple ( Birla Mandir) which is one of the most beautiful temples in Jaipur.  

At about 15 km from the center is the Jaigarh fort (in the fortress is the world's largest cannon on wheels).

The city was founded in 1727 by maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), to whom Jaipur owes his name. Jai Singh II was maharaja over the eponymous kingdom of Jaipur (in various periods also called Dhundhar, Kachwaha or Amber). He moved his court from neighboring Amber, which is located 11 kilometers from Jaipur.

Jaipur was to serve as a new, more prestigious capital, because the hill town of Amber could no longer accommodate the growing population. The Maharaja consulted various books and engaged the Bengali city planner Vidyadhar Bhattacharya to build the city. As a result, the inner city has a tight street pattern with relatively wide traffic routes.

Bhattacharya also helped Maharaja Jai Singh II in the construction of the royal palace in the center of the city, and the nowadays world-famous observatory (the Jantar Mantar). In the middle of the 19th century the inner city had become too small for the growing population. Under Maharaja Ram Singh II, the construction of districts outside the city wall was started. On the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876 the city was painted pink, traditionally the color of hospitality among the Rajputs.

The Albert Hall in the new city was built on the occasion of the same visit.