New Delhi: Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is said to be the first planned city in India for the way it was built. Also known as the Pink City due to the dominant color scheme of its buildings in old city, Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II, the Kachhwaha Rajput ruler of Amer, and the city has been named after him. It was designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya and today, the city is a popular tourist destination in India. It is a World Heritage City and is also called ‘Paris of India’. Jaipur has several important historical sites and in this article, we will take a look at some of them.
Famous historical places in Jaipur
Samode Palace
Samode Palace, Samode Haveli and Samode Bagh (Garden) are heritage monuments and structures built by the noble feudatory with the hereditary title of ‘Maha Rawal’ or ‘Maha Saheb’ of the Amber and Jaipur principality in Rajasthan. The Samode Palace is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Jaipur city. In the 16th century, the Samode Palace was initially built as a Rajput fort. In the early 19th century, nobleman Rawal Berisal converted it into an exquisitely designed palace. His descendent Rawal Sheo Singh further expanded the palace by adding the Durbar Hall and the Sheesh Mahal.
Amber Fort
Amber Fort is located 11 km from Jaipur and is known for its artistic style elements. Raja Man Singh I began its construction in 1592 and it was completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh. Amber Palace is great example of Rajput architecture and also has influence of Mughal architecture. The palace was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan. The palace was constructed of red sandstone and white marble, and visitors are left spellbound by the magnificence of the palace that utilises carvings, precious stones and mirrors.
Hawa Mahal
The Hawa Mahal is a palace in Jaipur which was built from red and pink sandstone. It is on the edge of the City Palace and extends to the Zenana, or women’s chambers. The structure was built in 1799 by the Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Its exterior looks like a with its 953 small windows called Jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework which were built to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen.
City Palace
The City Palace is a royal residence and former administrative headquarters of the rulers of the Jaipur State. Its construction was started by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II after he moved his court in 1727 to Jaipur from Amber and the construction of the palace ended in 1732. After India gained Independence and Jaipur became Rajasthan’s capital, the City Palace acted as the ceremonial and administrative seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur.
Jantar Mantar
In the early 18th century, Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur constructed five Jantar Mantar in total, in New Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi and they were completed between 1724 and 1735. The Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar was built in the early 18th century and includes a set of some 20 main fixed instruments. This is the most significant, most comprehensive, and the best preserved of historic observatories in India.
Jal Mahal
The Jal Mahal is a palace in the middle of Jaipur’s Man Sagar Lake. It was originally constructed around 1699. Later, in the early 18th century, the building and the lake were renovated and enlarged by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber. It is an architectural showcase of the Rajput style of architecture and looks extremely beautiful during sunrise and sunset.
Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills overlooking Jaipur. Its original name was Sudershangarh but later it was renamed Nahargarh which means ‘abode of tigers’. It was built mainly in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the king of Jaipur, as a place of retreat on the summit of the ridge above the city and the fort was never attacked in its history.
Jaigarh Fort
The Jaigarh Fort is located on the Cheel ka Teela of the Aravalli range and Raja Kakil Dev began its construction around the middle of the 11th century after he captured the Amber region from the Mina tribes. Jaigarh Fort and Amer Fort are connected by subterranean passages and considered as one complex.
Jaipur, India’s first planned city, boasts a rich history reflected in its magnificent palaces and forts. This article explores iconic landmarks like Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing Rajput and Mughal architecture, and the majestic City Palace, once the royal residence. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
