Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachhawaha king who
ruled from 1699-1744, founded the princely state of Jaipur in
1727. The history of Jaipur shows that when Jai Singh succeeded
the throne of Jaipur, the kingdom of Ajmer was under constant
threat of Mughal domination and invasion by the Marathas. Maharaja
Jai Singh used all his diplomatic skills to successfully align
himself with the Mughal and a number of victories and matrimonial
alliances took care of the Marathas.
The Establishment of the New City
During this period there was a massive water and accommodation
crisis at Amberdue
to its rising population. Therefore, Jai Singh decided to establish
a new city that would be well planned and sufficiently roomy
to accommodate all his people.
Maharaja Jai Singh II himself was a keen admirer and follower
of art and astronomy and took immense interest in the foundation
of the city. His penchant for art and astronomy encouraged him
to draw up the plan for the new city of Jaipur along with a
talented Bengali architect named Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. Jaipur
is recorded in history as the first planned city of India.
The Architecture of the City
The principles of the ancient Hindu text on architecture, the
Shilpa Shastra were followed to build the Jaipur city. And after
eight years of constant settlement work the new city of Jaipur
came into being. Interesting to know is, the famous Jantar Mantar
and the City Palace were designed by the king himself who took
great interest in astronomy and architecture.
The architect planned the design of the city according to the
grid system with wide roads and lanes. A huge wall with seven
gates was set up around Jaipur to protect it from external aggression.
However, when the glorious reign of Sawai Jai Singh II drew
to an end, the city plunged into utter chaos. The successors
of Sawai were locked in a battle of succession with the Marathas,
Jats and the British trying to take full advantage of the situation.
As the history records of Jaipur say, the British entered into
an alliance with the rulers who vowed their loyalty to the English
cause. And this understanding continued till India's independence
when Jaipur was made the capital of Rajasthan in 1856.
Travel
to Rajasthan
The Pushkar Fair is organized in the Hindu month of Kartika. It starts on the eighth day (ashtmi) and ends on the full moon day (poornima), as per the lunar calendar.
The Pushkar Fair is organized in the Hindu month of Kartika. It starts on the eighth day (ashtmi) and ends on the full moon day (poornima), as per the lunar calendar.
The Golden Temple, is the most sacred and holiest shrine of Sikhism. The official name of the Temple is “Harmandir Sahib”, or “Darbar Sahib”, which means literally “The Abode of God”.
Travel to Rajasthan gives you a comprehensive guide to have a close look on the nature and lifestyle of the Rajasthani people. Know about those mystique forts and palaces that have seen history to change colors numerous times.
