Jaipur is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the city was established as a strategic and cultural center, replacing the nearby city of Amber as the capital. Jai Singh II was a keen astronomer and mathematician, and he consulted several books on architecture and astronomy, including the works of Ptolemy and Euclid, to design the city. The layout of the city was planned according to the principles of Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra, resulting in a well-organized city with wide boulevards and well-defined neighborhoods. The city was divided into nine blocks, two of which were reserved for government buildings and palaces, while the remaining seven were allotted to the public. To ensure the security of the city, massive fortification walls with seven solid gates were built.

Jaipur became part of British India in 1818, when Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh signed a treaty with the British East India Company. This treaty made Jaipur a princely state under British protection, meaning that Jaipur retained a degree of autonomy but was subject to British control and influence. The treaty was signed as part of the British strategy to consolidate their power in India after several conflicts and rebellions, including the Great Sepoy Mutiny of Indian soldiers in British service in 1857. In 1876, Jaipur was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, earning the city its famous nickname, the Pink City. The city grew rapidly in the 19th century and became an important commercial and cultural centre.

During the reign of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, which lasted from 1835 to 1880, several important educational institutions were established, including a Sanskrit school in 1865 and a girls’ school in 1867. These initiatives were part of his efforts to modernise and improve the level of education in Jaipur. Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II was known for his progressive approach and his commitment to promoting education and cultural development. Jaipur remained a princely state under British protection until India’s independence in 1947, and in independent India, Jaipur became part of Rajasthan. The city officially became the capital of the state in 1956, and since then has experienced significant growth and development, both economically and culturally, including a thriving tourism industry.

Jaipur’s city center is characterized by bustling markets, historic buildings, and wide boulevards. A couple of the central places are the Badi Chaupar and Chhoti Chaupar squares, which are connected by the Tripolia Bazar market street. Walking through Tripolia Bazar is like stepping back in time to an era of royal opulence and architectural grandeur. The bazaar is flanked by havelis, the name for traditional Rajasthani mansions, temples, and arched gateways adorned with beautiful carvings, frescoes, and jharokhas, which are overhanging enclosed balconies. The architecture of Tripolia Bazar is a stunning example of the fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European styles, reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped Jaipur over time.

One of the most iconic landmarks in Tripolia Bazar is the Tripolia Gate, a majestic triple-arched gateway that leads from the city streets to Jaipur’s beautiful City Palace. The gate was reserved exclusively for the royal family and stands as a masterpiece of Rajput architecture. The City Palace is an impressive palace complex founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The palace served as the ceremonial and administrative residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur and is now home to the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The palace consists of several buildings, courtyards, galleries and temples, and a visit to the palace allows you to experience rich collections of art and artifacts from the Jaipur court. The museum exhibits royal costumes, textiles and weapons, documenting the life and culture of Jaipur over the centuries.

The city center is also home to several other historical buildings such as the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, an iconic landmark with its unique facade and many small windows. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the palace was constructed of red and pink sandstone with no less than 953 small windows called jharokhas on the facade. These numerous windows allowed the royal women to observe daily life and festivals on the street without being seen, which was important due to the purdah system that separated men and women. The Hawa Mahal is a structure that was also designed to allow cool air to pass through, making it comfortable in the hot summers.

Between the City Palace and the Hawa Mahal is the Jantar Mantar, an impressive astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734. The observatory consists of 19 geometric instruments that were built to measure time, track constellations, and observe the path of the sun. The most famous instrument is the Samrat Yantra, the world’s largest sundial. Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of Ptolemaic positional astronomy. The architecture of Jantar Mantar is a fascinating blend of science, art and religion. The instruments were designed to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye and operate in three main systems: horizon-zenith, equatorial and ecliptic. The observatory was built to create more accurate astronomical tables and measurements, which the Maharaja used to improve astronomical knowledge of the time.

On a southern axis from the City Palace, you will come to the Albert Hall Museum, located in the Ram Niwas Garden. It is the oldest museum in Rajasthan and was opened in 1887. The museum was designed by the British architect Samuel Swinton Jacob and is an excellent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, combining elements of Indian, Islamic and Gothic styles. Originally built to honour the visit of Prince Albert Edward, later King Edward VII, the museum quickly became a central cultural hub in Jaipur. The Albert Hall Museum houses an extensive collection of artefacts including sculptures, paintings, textiles and weapons. The museum also houses an impressive collection of pottery, jewellery and musical instruments, reflecting the region’s rich craft traditions.

You can also visit Nahargarh Fort, perched atop the Aravalli Range in the northern part of Jaipur city centre. It is a historic fort built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Originally called Sudarshangarh, the fort was later renamed Nahargarh, meaning the abode of the tiger. According to legend, the construction of the fort was disturbed by the spirit of Nahar Singh Bhomia, and to pacify the spirit, a temple was built in his honour within the fort’s walls. Nahargarh Fort was primarily built as a refuge for the king and his family. The fort has never been under attack, but it played a significant role during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, when Europeans, including the wife of the British Resident, were sheltered here.

Nahargarh Fort was expanded in 1868 during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh, and between 1883 and 1892 a series of palaces, known as Madhavendra Bhawan, were built, with suites for the queens and the king. The architecture of the fort is a blend of Indo-European style and includes several beautiful buildings such as temples dedicated to the royal gods. The fort is also known for its fine frescoes. Today, Nahargarh Fort is a popular tourist destination, where visitors can enjoy a fantastic view of Jaipur. You can also experience the Jaipur Wax Museum, which displays lifelike wax figures of prominent personalities from history, film, sports and literature.