Hin: जयपुर jayapur
‘Jai Singh’s City’ [Jeypore] City/District, Capital, Rajasthan
From Skt/Hin: [Jai Singh II] jay/jaya, ‘victory’ and Skt: pura, ‘fort’, ‘city’.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. It is the largest city of India’s largest state, and was India’s first planned city. It was designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya using the vastu and shilpa sastras (ancient Hindu texts on architecture and design). It was built for Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Amer who wanted to move down into the plains, and is named after him. Building started in 1726 and was completed four years later. It comprised nine blocks and seven fortified gates, ramparts, roads, offices, palaces and official buildings.
Jaipur is the ‘Pink City’: every building in the walled city centre is a terracotta colour. When Prince Albert visited Jaipur in 1876 the Maharaja Ram Singh painted the whole city pink, the colour of hospitality and welcome. Residents are required to maintain this tradition -by law.
The modern Jaipur is a veritable Aladdin’s Cave (for tourists and others) of arts, antiques and handicrafts including gems, jewellery, textiles, block printing, bangles, miniatures, blue pottery, embroidery and leathercraft.
Tripolia Bazaar, Jaipur Hans A. Rosbach
