Jaipur Architecture

Jaipur city was founded on 18 November, 1727, by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The king had profound knowledge of Vastu Shastra and astrology. He planned the whole layout of the city by referring the ancient Indian books on Architecture. He even discussed the entire plan with Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, the chief Bengali architect. They planned the city by considering all the principles of Vastu Shastra, Astronomy, Ptolemy, Euclid and architecture and architect knowledge. The aspects such as water, transportation, security, etc were given high importance while planning the city’s architecture.

The architecture of the city has its own unique and distinct features. It includes every single aspects and principles of Vastu Shastra and astronomy so that the city may flourish with prosperously and peacefully. The town is built in the eight- part form “Mandala” also known as “Pithapada”. It is divided in nine blocks (symbolizing the nine planets in astrology), out of which seven are allotted to the public while two consist the state buildings and palaces. The commercial shops are laid out in the multiples of nine (27). Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was very kneen on security aspect of the city, he built a twenty feet high and nine – inch thick wall with seven gateways protected the city from the invasion of enemies. The streets were broadly laid out into six sectors of 111ft, which is a holy number according to the Hinduism. Every street’s and market’s directions are from East to West and North to South. Entrance gate of Jaipur have a certain height, direction, location, etc are all according to the Indian Vastu Shastra principles.

There are three gates facing East, West and north: Eastern gate is known as Suraj (Sun)Pol or Galta Gate, Western gate is known as Chand (Moon)Pol and the Northern gate is known as Dhruv Pol or Zorawar Singh Gate. Northern gate faces towards the ancestral capital of Amber. Other gates facing to South are Gangpol, Krishna Pol (originally known as Ajmeri Gate), Ghat gate (originally known as Ram Pol) and Sanganeri Gate (originally known as Shiv Pol). Jaipur has the remarkable architecture amongst the other pre- modern Indian cities.

Why Jaipur is called Pink City?

Jaipur city holds a very rich heritage culture, traditions, fairs and festivals of Royal Rajputanas of Rajasthan. This city is very attractive, pleasing and have distinctive features than any other city in the world which captivates every heart and spellbound every person. Jaipur city is widely known as the “Pink City” of India, which is also the capital of India i.e. of - Rajasthan. It is named as “Pink City” because the city’s important and earlier most buildings or structures were constructed with the sandstones which are Pink in color. These sandstones are found abundantly in Rajasthan.

This city has its own history of being called as “Pink City”. During the reign of Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur, the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria visited to Jaipur in 1876, while they were on a tour of India. The color Pink signifies the color of warm and delightful hospitality, therefore, Maharaja ordered to pave the whole city with Pink Bajri or fine gravel in the honor of welcoming the guests. It is also believed that Maharaja Ram Singh was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and the color Pink or Terrcotta is the favourite color of Lord. Thus, he painted the entire city with pink color.

The tradition then followed sincerely by the government and local residents till now, to intact the heritage Pink color of this city. Jaipur city painted with Pink color spells a magical charisma. Everyone who has visited the city can substantiate the fact that all the major buildings and structures of Jaipur are pink in color. It is the perfect blend of Rajasthani and Rajputanas customs and traditions. This city makes everyone fall in love with its beauty and extravagant traditional touch. 

Home of the Rajasthan Royals

Jaipur (also known as “Pink City”) is the capital of Rajasthan state and is one of the most culturally rich heritage cities of Northern India. Jaipur was the first planned city of India. The name of the city “Jaipur" served as two- in- one compliments for the city as “Jai” means Victory (in hindi) and it was named after its first ruler. Jaipur is home of the Rajasthan Royals as the city was ruled by several Rajput rulers. The foundation stone of Jaipur was led on 18 November, 1727 by Maharaj Sawai Jai Singh II, after whom the city was named.

 Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was a Kachhwaha Rajput, who was only 11 years old when he came into the power after the demise of his father Maharaja Bhishan Singh. Initially, Jai Singh’s capital was Amber, which is located at a distance of only 11kms from Jaipur. The need to shift his capital arose due to the increase in population and shortage of water supply. The king took keen interest in the designing of the Jaipur city and gave great importance to the security aspect of this city. While preparing layout for the city, he took references from several Indian books on architecture and architect and even sought the advice from Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, the chief architect from Bengal.  Vidhyadhar Bahttacharya than developed the plan and discussed it with King Jai Singh after following the principals of Vastu Shastra, Ptolemy, Euclid, Astronomy and the science of Indian architecture (Shilpa Shastra).

 It took about 4 years to build the precisely planned city’s important Palaces, Market areas, Roads, Parks, Canal system and the Square. The city was divided in the nine blocks, two of among them consisted State Buildings, while the others were allotted to the public and for the security aspect, the city was encircled by the huge defensive and fortification walls which were opened only with the seven strong gates. Maharaja Jai Singh made sure that the architecture of Jaipur should depict the traditional Rajput Architectural design and all the buildings were built with the special sandstone, which is found in abundance in Rajasthan.

The color of the sandstones which were used for the construction of all the buildings was pink. This is one of the reasons why Jaipur is known as “Pink City”. Besides, pink color has its own history. In 1853, when the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria visited Jaipur, Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur painted the whole city in pink color to welcome and honor the guests as pink color denotes the color of hospitality.

The city is renowned for its bounteous charm, vibrancy and it is amongst the most beautiful cities of Northern India which captivates the hearts of visitors by its beauty. Today, Jaipur city is the most popular tourist destinations in India. The Amber Fort, City Palace, Jaigarh Fort, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Govind Dev Ji Temple, Birla Mandir, Jal Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Raj Mandir Cinema Hall and many more magnificent places which keep alive the glorious  past of Jaipur. People come from all over the world to admire the tales of valour and visit the astonishing beauty of the majestic Forts and Havelis, the serene landscapes, the beautiful temples and the cultural heritage of Jaipur.