| CITIES IN INDIA >> JAIPUR |
About
jaipur |
Settled
in the rugged hills of the Aravallis, Jaipur
is the pristine jewel in the desert sands
of Rajasthan.
Jaipur is as remarkable for its marvellous
architecture and town planning as it is for
the lively spirit of the people who inhabit
it. The city presents a unique synthesis of
culture that has to be experienced in order
to be appreciated.
With its origin buried deep into the pages
of history, the city still exudes a magical
old world charm; an aroma of chivalry and
romance is evident, despit having evolved
into a city that is the hub of modern commercial
activity in the region. Tell-tale signs of
the glorious past and regal splendour of the
city lie strewn across with gay abandon.
The colourful and intricately carved monuments
are adequately matched by the lively spirit
of fanfare, festivity and celebration of the
people. Even today, one can find weather beaten
faces with huge coloufrul trurbans, fierce
moustaches and lips that spontaneouslya crease
into a heart warming smile.
A city like Jaipur, where modernity and tradition
live hand-in-hand, is truly rare. Perhaps
this is what makes it an attractive destination
for tourists who flock to Jaipur , year after
year.
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Ajmer
Fort |
At a short
distance of 11 kms . from Jaipur, the Amer
Fort complex stands amidst wooded hills overlooking
the Delhi-Jaipur highway, with its forbidding
ramparts reflected in the still waters of
the Maota Lake below.
One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture,
it was the ancient capital of the Kachhawah
rulers. The original palace was built by Raja
Man Singh and additions were made later by
Sawai Jai Singh.
Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the
"Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas
or the "Hall of Private Audience"
and the Sukh Niws where a cool breeze blows
across channels of water for the purpose of
air-conditioning.
Here are the private chambers of the queens
with windows having latticed screens so that
the ladies could watch the proceedings of
the royal court inprivacy. There is also the
Jai Mandir or the "Temple of Vicotry",
with its famed Sheesh Mahal, the scintillating
"Hall of Mirrors"
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Jaigarh
Fort |
Nahargarh Fort |
The western skyline is dominated
by the extensive walls, watch towers and gatewasys
of the Jaigarh Fort.
It is one of the few military structures of medieval
India preserved almost intact, containing palaces,
agrdens open and covered reservoirs, a granary,
an armoury, a well-planned cannon foundry, several
temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted acnnon-the
Jain Ban, the largest cannon in the world.
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Perched atop a pricturesque
hill, the Nahargarh Fort offers a breathtaking
view of the city below. Initially built by Sawai
Jain Singh in 1734 A.D. It was enlarged and
given its present shape by Sawai Madho Singh
in1885 A.D. Decorative motifs in some of the
rooms are delightful.
From the windows of the nine identical suites,
one gets a magnificent view of the city, complete
witht he geometrical layout. From Amer there
is a road to Nahargarh, which passes through
the hills |
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City
Palace |
The City Palce is an imposing
blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art
and architecture. The City Palace complex houses
several palatial structures. The first building
in it is Mubarak Mahal, built by Kaharaja Madho
Singh. It has a beautifully carved marble gate
with heavy brass doors on either side of this
gate. Beyond this gate lies the Diwan -e-Khas,
or the "Hall of Private Audience".
Across a paved square lies the Diwan-e-Aam,
or the "Hall of Public Audience".
To the north-west is the stately and graceful
seven storeyed Chandra Mahal, the residence
of the ex-ruler. Each storey has a distinctive
name and is a place of sheer beauty and luxury.
Paintings, floral decorations, mirror walls
and ceilings in the traditional style adorn
the palace.
The uppermost storey is called the Mukut Mahal.
Opposite the chandra Mahal lies the Baldal Mahal.
The Govind Devji temple stands inthe middle
of the Chandra Mahal and Badal Mahal.
A delightful system of fountains is placed in
the middle of the paved path between the Chandra
Mahal and the Badal Mahal. The palace has extensive
and sprawling gardens.
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Shopping
in Jaipur |
The builders of Jaipur
took special care to provide ample space and
facilities for the production and marketing
of hadicarfts which made the place famous throughout
India and abroad. An entire street and several
city sectors were earmarked for artisans and
traders. The mainmarkets are along Jauhari Bazar,
Bapu Bazar, Nehru Bazar, Chaura Rasta, Tripolia
Bazar and M.I. Raod.
Shops specialising in precious and semi precious
stones, ornaments and jewellery are to be found
on and along Jauhari Bazar. Jaipur enjoys a
high reputation for the manufacture of jewellery.
It is one of the most active jewel markets of
the world and is famous for precious and semi-precious
stones and also for the cutting, polishing and
setting of these stone, particularly that of
diamonds, topaz and emeralds.
Jaipur brass work is of immaculate quality.
The Jaipur brass worker is successful in infusing
life like charm into the dull metal. Two kinds
of work is done in Jaipur on brass viz. Lacquered
brass carved brass. Jaipur enamel or Minakari,
mostly done on gold and silver has always been
a class of its own. The Jaipur artist is renowned
not nonly for the purity of the colours, but
also for its evenness. Jaipur is also famous
for its textiles. Sanganeri and Bagru block
prints are the fashion designer's craze these
days. The Bandhej (tie and dye)print is very
typical of the region.
Near the Hawa Mahal are large number of shops
dealing in antiques and pseudo-antiques. Some
shops opposite Hawa Mahal stock the famous Jaipuri
quilts, weighing from a few hundred grams to
a kilogram.
The stone and marble carving industry is also
famous art of Jaipur. The stone used is either
procured from within Jaipur or from the marble
mines of makrana, the famous quarry that provided
all the marble stone for one of the wonders
of the world at Agra, the Taj Mahal. The carvings,
portraits and busts created in Jaipur are held
in high esteem everywhere. |
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