Jaipur

The city got it’s name as the Pink City for the Rose colored makeover to honor the Price of Wales in year 1876. Washed uniformly in earthly pink inside old city Jaipur is also called the pink city which holds the history interwoven in each breath. Jaipur was first planned then built. A city like Jaipur where modernity and tradition live hand in hand is truly rare along with it’s inhabitants – Lips that spontaneously crease into a heart  warming smile. Its artistic temple’s and garden, mark the atmosphere of serenity and aestheticism.

History of Jaipur – 

The history of Jaipur dates back to 10th century when King Kakildev Ji from the Kacchawa clan of Rajputs (The warrior’s breed) arived at the Amber and ousted the meena tribe which controlled the region. The then amber now under the Rajput’s flourished and they kept on adding magnificent palaces and fortified structures to it.

Kacchawa were diplomats and intelligent and made good relations with the great ruler’s, recognizing the mughal powers Kacchawa’s built friendly relations with the Mughals that brought them real power, influence and wealth.

Prominent Kacchawa Ruler’s –

Man Singh –

Man Singh a leading military general under both Akbar- The Great and his son Jahangir during his tenure the Mughal Empire extended till Afghanistan in West to Burma in the East and down south till Hyderabad. He laid the foundation stone of the Amber Palace and Fort which was evolved later by generation’s to reach the best of it’s magic as we can see today.

Jai Singh  I –

He ascended the throne at the young age of 11, a military and diplomatic genius who brought the house of Amber to it’s apoge at the Mughal Court. He was commanding the Mughal Forces for Jahangir and then later fought all over the Mughal Empire for Shah Jahan – The builder of the Taj Mahal. And finally became the emperor Aurangzeeb’s most prized Rajput Commander.

All this time the Kacchawa coffer’s were filling with prizes, rewards and booty.

Jai Singh  II –

Few ruler’s later came the ruler Sawai Jai Singh II who quickly  impressed the  71 yrs Old Aurangzeeb and was awarded by him the Title “Sawai” meaning one and a quarter, depicting his ability to outperform other men. Till date the flag flying above the City Palace of Jaipur which is the Residence of the Jaipur Royal Family has an extra quater sized one next to to it which symbolizes the Title Sawai.

A great astronomer and lover of art and trade he has the solar observatories to his name at Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain and Varanasi testimony to his astronomical genius proves.

It was Sawai Jai Singh II who laid the foundation of the city of Jaipur, laid out in grid system with equal and wide roads of 111Ft, Jaipur was built as per the “Shilp Shastra” – The Ancient Hindu treatise on architecture  by Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya.

While the modern city has grown quite rapidly outside it’s walls the distinct characteristic that set’s this city apart have been preserved and incorporated well.

 Why Pink City ? –

To welcome the prince of Wales, the consort of Queen Victoria of England the city was coloured in Rose Pink, which is the color of the sky at sunrise and sunset. The ruler’s of Jaipur are the descendent’s of the Sun “Suryavanshi” and used to offer prayer’s to the rising sun. Washed uniformly in earthly Pink the City of Jaipur is aptly called Pink City.

Being the government headquarters of Rajasthan it is the work place of Rajasthan and the Major trading centre which has paced up it’s development, outside the Pink walls. A rare combination of old and new is still existent which awe’s it’s visitors.

Coloured in Pink it blushes like a new bride every Sunset.