Jaipur - The Best Planned City

By Author: Nagma Biswas
Total Articles: 26
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The brain child of a genius of the yesteryears, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, Jaipur is still credited to be one of the best planned cities in the country. It was done under the guidance of Jai Singh who was able to render the city in 8 years. The painstaking town planning can still be seen here. An extremely intelligent ruler, Jai Singh's rule saw an expansion of Rajput power and increase in Rajput-Mughal alliance. It was Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb who gave the title of Sawai, meaning one-and-quarter, to Jai Singh. Initially Jai Singh had his capital in the hills of Amber. It was later that he moved out from there and established a new city in the dry lake valley below the hills. After India gained independence, Jaipur was made the capital of Rajputana.

Laid according to Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Indian treatise in architecture, Jaipur is planned flawlessly. The city is protected by high walls and was always tough to penetrate. Some astrological influences can also be seen here in the division of the city. The entire city has been divided into nine sectors called chokris like the nine zodiacs. Each of the division housed ...
... a specific caste who practiced their own skills. The markets in Jaipur still show some features of those days. You can still find people specializing in various arts and selling their art forms in specific streets.

Interestingly called the Pink City, the place has a distinct pink hue which is visible on the buildings and structures in the older side of Jaipur. The reason behind the hue is however not clear. There are many theories and legends related to it. Some attribute it to mythology and some to Jai Singh's fancies. The best believed version of the theory however states that the city has the color as pink is believed to be the color of hospitality. The city is painted pink every 10 years by the Municipal Corporation.

As always, the City Palace is the center of the city. Other sites around which the city is concentrated include the Amber Fort, the Samode Palace and the Jantar Mantar. However, these are not just the places to expect in Jaipur. It has a host of buildings, monuments, temples and other structures that are worth visiting. Don't try visiting all in a day as it can prove to be too hectic. Take some time in hand to explore Jaipur, it has a lot to show you. Apart from sight seeing, it is the markets and the shopping experience here that can fascinate you. The bazaar streets are full of regional crafts, gems, jewelry, brassware, pottery, embroidered materials, tie-and-dye fabrics, rugs, home furnishings and lots more.
Take some good time in hand to visit this place. It is a treasure of many things. Staying here can hardly be a problem as a large number of hotels have flooded the city. From heritage hotels to economical hotels, there is a wide range to choose from. For everything it has to offer, Jaipur is a place to visit at least once in a lifetime.

Nagma Biswas is an author writing about travel and tourism in India and abroad. To book Hotels in Indore visit Sarovar hotels.