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The capital city of Rajasthan is Jaipur. Jaipur is also famously known as the Pink City of India. The foundation stone of Jaipur was laid by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who was a Kachwaha Rajput. He ruled from 1699-1744 and founded Jaipur in the year 1727. Let us further get to know about what is the capital city of Rajasthan and more about it.
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About Jaipur: The Pink City of India
Jaipur is often referred to as the Pink City and is known as the capital of Rajasthan, a state in India.
- In 1727, Jaipur was established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a member of the Kachwaha Rajput community.
- At first, his capital was Amber City, located about 11 km away from Jaipur. The major decision to shift the capital was because of the growing population and the scarcity of water.
- Ultimately, as an enthusiast of mathematics, astronomy and astrophysics, Maharaja Jai Singh sought the expertise of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, who was a Brahmin scholar from Bengal, to assist in the design of various structures, including the Royal Palace in the heart of the city.
- Jaipur was built on the principles of Jaipur Vastu Shastra and other similar classical texts.
- Since Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II faced many conflicts with the Marathas, he was particularly focused on the city’s security.
- Finally, in 1727, the construction of this well-planned city started.
- It took nearly four years to complete the major roads, squares and palaces of the city. The city was constructed following the principles of Shilpa Shastra, the ancient Indian architectural science.
- The city was segmented into nine blocks, with two blocks reserved for the state building and palace, and the remaining seven for public use. The fort walls of the city featured seven strongly built entrances.
- In 1853, during the visit of the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria, the entire city was painted and decorated in pink as pink represented “a great hospitality” to greet him during the tenure of Sawai Ram Singh.
Culture of Jaipur: Festivals, Monuments, Architecture
The culture of Jaipur can be recognized with its celebrations of vibrant festivals, monuments and its architectural wonders. Let us discuss them –
- Famous Monuments of Jaipur –
Jaipur is one of the most beautiful cities for the attraction for tourists in India. It shares the title of the Golden Triangle with Agra and Delhi as India’s top tourist routes.
- In addition to these, some of the other well-preserved monuments and other places in Jaipur are – Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Amer Fort, City Palace, Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur Zoo, Sanghiji Jain temple, Garh Ganesh Temple, Birla Mandir, Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple, Jaigarh Fort, etc.
- Festivals of Jaipur – The Pink City is also famous for its vibrant celebrations of fairs and festivals, which have been a tradition for centuries by the royal families too. These events showcase the deep-rooted culture and history of the area.
The Elephant Festival: The Elephant Festival, takes place from March to April. Majestic elephants are decked with elaborate decorations for royal parades, elephant polo games, and races, which are further accompanied by traditional Rajasthan music and dance.
Image Source – Gunther Deichmann
- The Teej Festival: It is held in July or August. The festival takes place with a magnificent procession that is taken out of the City Palace, just like the Gangaur procession for two consecutive days for their dedication towards the deities.
The Gangaur Festival: This celebration is observed by both unmarried and married women, honouring Goddess Parvati, the spouse of Lord Shiva. A majestic and vibrant parade starts from the Zanana Deodhi within the City Palace, making its way through Gangauri Bazar, Chaugan and Tripolia Bazar, and eventually gathering near Talkatora for two days.
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- Donkey Fair (Khalkani Mata Mela): Celebrated in the month of October, it is the Donkey Day festival held at Looniyawas close to Sanganer. Here, thousands of donkeys from various parts of northern India gather for trade. The event features donkey races and sports activities to entertain the attendees.
- Architecture of Jaipur – Jaipur is a city rich in architectural wonders, many of which have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is the dwelling place of numerous historical buildings, including palaces, forts and observatories. The top architectural wonders of Jaipur are –
- Amber Fort (Amer Fort): Amer Fort is a grand hilltop fortress celebrated for its artistic design, splendour, and detailed construction.
- City Palace: An impressive complex that contains Royal Palaces, museums, and gardens.
- Hawa Mahal: The famous “Palace of the Winds” is distinguished by its distinctive honeycomb-like exterior.
- Jantar Mantar: The world’s largest stone astronomical observatory, equipped with various devices for determining time, forecasting eclipses and observing celestial bodies.
- Jal Mahal: A water palace situated at the heart of Man Sagar Lake.
Also Read – 10 Interesting Facts About Jantar Mantar of Delhi for Kids
Jaipur Interesting Facts
- The famous saying of Jaipur is – “Amer ki Sheela Devi, Chandpol Ka Hanuman. Sanganer ka Sanga Baba, Jeet Laya Raja Maan.”
- Jaipur still has a royal family and a Maharaja, his name is Padmanabh Singh.
- Jaipur Literature Festival is one of the largest free literary festivals in the world that takes place in Jaipur.
- The block prints of Jaipur is a famous textile known for its block printings like Sanganeri prints, Dabu prints and Bagru prints and the use of natural colours only.
- Jaipur is the biggest market for emeralds and gemstones.
Also Read – Mehrangarh Fort History: Features, Facts, Timings & More
Know About Rajasthan – The Land of Kings
Rajasthan is famously known as the “Land of Kings,” and boasts of rich cultures and a deep history. Here are some amazing facts that you should know about Rajasthan –
- Rajasthan is the biggest state in India by land size, taking up 10% of the nation’s total territory.
- Rajasthan is neighbored by Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. It also shares its international borders with Pakistan.
- The Tropic of Cancer runs along the southern edge of Rajasthan, marking it as a distinctive point on the Indian map.
- Besides Jaipur, other famous cities in Rajasthan are Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Udaipur, Kota, etc
- Rajasthan was the location for India’s successful nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998, carried out at Pokhran.
FAQs
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. It is popularly known as the Pink City. Jaipur is the largest city in the state of Rajasthan.
Jodhpur is called the Blue City because of the predominantly blue colour of its architecture in the old quarter. Jodhpur is also a popular destination for visitors, featuring a palace, fort and temples amidst the harsh terrain of the Thar Desert.
Jaipur is famous for two things: It was the first city in India to be carefully planned out, with wide streets and a grid layout, making it easy to get around. This earned it the nickname “Paris of India.” Many of the buildings in Jaipur are painted pink. Because of this, it’s also called the “Pink City.”
Jaipur got its nickname “The Pink City” in 1876. To welcome Queen Victoria of Britain, the Maharaja painted most of the buildings pink because pink represents hospitality. Today, the city is famous for its markets, forts, temples, palaces, and animal reserves.
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