Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan is one of the most vibrant and colorful cities of India. Famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes the city basks in the glory of a rich and eventful past. Jaipur is a planned city which is made all the more attractive by the pink wash that most buildings are periodically given. Besides, it remains the only city in the world that symbolises the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors. It is for these reasons that Jaipur has been included in the popular tourist "Golden Triangle" of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra.


If Taj Mahal is among the famous wonders of the world, then Jaipur "The pink city" too doesn't lag behind, showcasing Indian traditions and culture in vibrant colors. Take a trip to Jaipur and you will feel that the number of Wonders of the World should be increased to accommodate more.

History
Among all the states of erstwhile princely India, Rajputana is undoubtedly the one with the most martial record - warring factions locked in deadly warfare, thousands of royal ladies consigning themselves to flames preferring death to dishonor. In this land, towering forts were built as much for ostentation as for intimidating the enemy; and desperate battles were fought by rulers who were great patrons of the arts.



Jaipur, (City of Victory) was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Being a brainchild of the maharaja, he took special interest in the designing planning and execution works of Jaipur. The city has been divided into nine blocks of which two are kept for the City Palace Complex and other state buildings, whereas the other seven blocks were earmarked for the public. The city was encircled by the city wall, which opened at seven gates or darwazas. In 1728 maharaja jai Singh II built the remarkable observatory, which is still one of Jaipur's main attractions.

Places to see
Amber Fort
Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthan fort-palace. It was constructed by Man Singh I in 1592 and was completed by his descendant Jai Singh I. Its rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate refinement. Painted scenes of hunting and war adorn the walls with precious stones and mirrors set into the plaster. In the foreground is the Maota Lake with breathtaking reflections of the magnificent Amber Fort-Palace.

City Palace
in the heart of the city is situated the City Palace, a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The place is now a museum except for one section where the erstwhile royal family still lives. The city palace has an exclusive part devoted to the arms and ammunitions used by the royal family in the past.

Hawa Mahal
The Hawa Mahal which mean "palace of the winds" is an important landmark of the city of Jaipur, the pink city of India. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, this remarkable structure adjoins the outside of the City Palace wall. Sawai Pratap Singh was a great devotee of Lord Krishna and he dedicated this mahal to the Lord, its intricate exterior wall looks like a mukut (crown), which adorns Lord Krishna's head .

Central Museum
A mixture of pillars, arches, and courtyards adorns the Central Museum or Albert Hall which is located in the Ram Niwas Garden with murals. The building was constructed under the guidance of a British Army officer, Lt. Swinton Jocob. Maharaja Ram Singh, the then king of Jaipur wanted this building to be the town hall, but his successor Madho Singh had different plans. He decided to convert the building to an art museum for the city of Jaipur.

There is an interesting display of rural life in Rajasthan in this museum. The museum houses a vast collection of metalwork, jewelry, textile, and ivory carving. There are specimens of embossed, hammered, and chiseled brassware. There is also a good collection of pottery objects in addition to the sculpture and paintings in the museum.