PINK CITY JAIPUR HISTORY
Discover the Rich History of Pink City Jaipur !!
PINK CITY JAIPUR HISTORY
The city of Jaipur was founded by the King of Amber, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II on 18 November 1727, who ruled from 1699 to 1743. He planned to shift his capital from Amber, 11 kilometers (7 mi) to Jaipur to accommodate the growing population and increasing scarcity of water. Jai Singh consulted several books on architecture and architects while planning the layout of Jaipur. Under the architectural guidance of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, Jaipur was planned based on the principles of Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra. The construction of the city began in 1726 and took four years to complete the major roads, offices, and palaces. The architecture of the city was heavily influenced by the 17th-century architectural renaissance during Mughal rule in Northern India. Hence much of it resembles architectural styles from around the Muslim world. The city was divided into nine blocks, two of which contained state buildings and palaces, with the remaining seven allotted to the public. Huge ramparts were built, pierced by seven fortified gates.
During the rule of Sawai Ram Singh I, the city was painted pink to welcome HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII, Emperor of India), in 1876. Many of the avenues remain painted in pink, giving Jaipur a distinctive appearance and the epithet Pink city. In the 19th century, the city grew rapidly and by 1900 it had a population of 160,000. The wide boulevards were paved and its chief industries were the working of metals and marble, fostered by a school of art founded in 1868. The city had three colleges, including a Sanskrit college (1865) and a girls’ school (1867) opened during the reign of Maharaja Ram Singh II. Large areas of the city including the airport were flooded in August 1981, resulting in the death of eight people and much damage to the city’s Dravyavati River. The floods were caused by three days of cloud bursts that produced more rain than the annual average.
Founded in AD 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City. With broad avenues and spacious gardens, the city is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthan jewelry, fabric, and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are a treasure trove for shoppers. Planned by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, Jaipur holds the distinction of being the first planned city in India. Renowned globally for its colored gems, the capital city of Rajasthan combines the allure of its ancient history with all the advantages of a metropolis. Jaipur rises majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh, and Garh Ganesh Temple. The bustling modern city is one of the three corners of the golden triangle that includes Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
HISTORY OF PINK CITY
The history of Jaipur began when the Jaipur Kingdom was formed after succeeding in the vibrant and prosperous kingdom of Amber. The colorful city was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II, also known as Sawai Jai Singh in 1727. No doubt that Jaipur is a well-designed city as its founder was a famed mathematician and astronomer. Vidyadhar Bhattacharya was a Brahmin Scholar from Bengal who aided Sawai Jai Singh in laying out the city’s architecture. Major places, roads, and squares took 4 years for their completion and each was constructed keeping in mind the techniques of Vastu Shastra. Jaipur might have struggled to be in power but it continued to be a princely state till 1948. The history of Jaipur speaks about the internal power struggles in Pink City. Though, it had lost against Marathas in the Battle of Patan fought in 1790, it had enough wealth to carry its patronage. After Sawai Jai Singh, came Ishwari Singh, followed by different rulers belonging to the Kachwaha dynasty. Jaipur became a part of the Indian Union on 7 April 1949. Presently, Sawai Padmanabh Singh and his Royal Family live in The City Palace of Jaipur.
In 1876, the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria were to pay a visit to India. Pink signifies hospitality, so to bring to life the essence of welcoming words, “Padharo Mahrey Desh”, Maharajah Ram Singh got the city drenched in this beautiful color. The color, Terracotta Pink adds seven stars to the pride of this majestic city. Even today if you visit Jaipur, you will find the historical gates and squares that have now turned into bazaars possessing the color of hospitality and have woven themselves into the history of Jaipur. Every wall you see in the city will make you wonder about the sumptuousness of Jaipur when it comes to architecture. Each Monument listed below has been successful in maintaining its vitality and uniqueness to date and contributes in a big way to the history of Jaipur. Due to its abundance in the proximity, pink and red sandstone was primarily used to construct the buildings. While this sandstone became the primary material of construction, another major event in the city’s history become the turning point in the city’s traditional acceptance of pink as the mainstay. History records that in 1876, the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria were touring India and they also visited Jaipur. It was Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur who thought that pink denoting the color of hospitality, it would be good to paint the entire city in its hues to welcome the royal guests.
In 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh did something that earned Jaipur its sobriquet. He painted the entire city pink, traditionally a color associated with hospitality, to welcome the prince of Wales (later king Edward VII) to the city. The city was attacked many times by neighboring warriors, the Marathas. But for most of its history, Jaipur stayed under the rule of Rajputs. It was one of the few parts of the country which never came under the rule of the British, who left India in 1947. The city is a muse for lay tourists, culture trippers, literary artists, history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and art and photography aficionados alike. It seems that people in Jaipur know well about preserving their historical ardor. So visit Jaipur for an overwhelming experience of its undaunted history and experience the history of Jaipur in all its splendor.