Introduction
Of all the princely states of yore in India, Rajputana (the region around Jaipur) is undoubtedly the one with the most martial record. It was a state of 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 not only for ostentation but also to intimidate the enemy. Stranger was the life of some of its warrior kings, who fought great battles on one hand and were great patrons of arts on the other.

Today, Jaipur is the personification of the old order influence the new. An inherent feel for color and design percolated ever stratum of society, and jewelry, crafts and architecture became objects of delight equally between prince and peasant.

JAIPUR - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Altitude 431 meters above sea level Area 200.4 sq. km Population 2,324,319 (2001) Language Hindi, Rajasthani, English Telephone Code 0141

JAIPUR - CLIMATE AND LOCATION
Climate
Climate of Jaipur is extreme with hot and humid summers and chilly winters. Maximum temperature during the summers (from April to July) reaches a high of around 45ºC. On the other hand winters have sunny and pleasant days and bitterly cold nights. Temperature can touch a low of around 5ºC, mostly during the nights. Major problems in the winter are fog that envelops the city in the evening. If you are planning to visit Jaipur in summers, bring with you light cotton clothes. Light woolen clothes during would do the needful in the winters. Monsoon starts in the third week of July, but the state does not experience much of rainy days.

Location
Jaipur is located in the Northern India at a distance of around 258 km from Delhi. The city would have been the part of Thar Desert, but for the Aravalli Hills that provides it with much needed security from one side. Most of the major tourist destinations in North India like Delhi, Agra, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer are fairly distanced with the city and connected by road, rail, and flights.

JAIPUR - HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Jaipur was the first city in India that was planned according to the grid pattern. Its founder Sawai Jai Singh (1699 - 1744) consulted several books on architecture and architects before designing this city. In the aftermath of his fights with Marathas and buying of peace from aged Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Jai Singh was able to concentrate on his scientific and cultural interests and Jaipur had to be different to mark the stamp of his brilliancy. Jai Singh was a lover of mathematics and science and he consulted a Brahmin scholar, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya of Bengal to help him design the city architecture. He went through the ancient Indian literature on astronomy, books of Ptolemy and Euclid, and information provided by his emissaries to Samarkand who observed the observatory of Mirza Beg.

Construction of the city started in 1727 and the major palaces, roads, and square took 4 years to complete. Architecture of the town was much advanced to its time and it was no doubt the best in Indian subcontinent. Pink, the sign of welcome was used to paint the buildings in Jaipur in 1853 to honor of the visiting Prince of Wells and is still used.

JAIPUR - SIGHTSEEING
Tourist attractions in Jaipur are mainly centered in the Old City and City Palace area. City Palace is a beautiful blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Albert Hall or Central Museum has a large collection of woodwork, jewelry, costumes, brassware, and pottery. Jantar Mantar in the City Palace area is a working observatory and showcases the scientific brilliance of Sawai Jai Singh - the founder of Jaipur. Built for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being see, Hawa Mahal is or Palace of Winds is the most famed landmark of Jaipur. The city has its share of forts also, some of them on the outskirts of Jaipur. Nahargarh Fort is a good example of Fort/Palaces of Rajasthan. Apart from these there are many more attractions like Birla Mandir and Sisodia Rani ka Bagh that completes a visit to this great city.

Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is located in the Tripolia Bazaar to the west of GPO. Built to let the ladies of royal harem watch the royal possessions, Hawa Mahal is not a palace as the name suggests. Hawa Mahal is the part of the east wall of the City Palace complex. Most well known of Jaipur's buildings, you can have the best views of this great building from the street outside.

The City Palace
A major part of the City Palace has been converted in a museum. Remaining part of the palace is still being used by the royal family of Jaipur as residence. The palace is built in the fortified campus style and covers almost seventh part of Jaipur. There are different sections of the museum dedicated to subjects like arms and ammunition, textile and costume, and art gallery.

Some important palaces in this complex include the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Diwan-I-Aam, and Diwan-I-Khas.

Jantar Mantar
Translated into 'Instruments of Measuring the Harmony of the Heavens', Jantar Mantar was built by Sawai Jai Singh between 1728 and 1734. Jantar Mantar is a grand celebration of astronomical science and each instrument here serves a particular function and gives an accurate reading. Major Yantras or instruments that you can watch moving clockwise are: 1. Small 'Samrat' 2. 'Dhruva' 3. 'Narivalya' 4. The Observer's Seat 5. Small 'Kranti' 6. 'Raj' 7. 'Unnathamsa' 8. 'Disha' 9. 'Dakshina' 10. Large 'Samrat' 11. 'Rashivalayas' 12. 'Jai Prakash' 13. Small 'Ram' 14. Large 'Ram Yantra' 15. 'Diganta' 16. Large 'Kranti'

Nahargarh
Most of the fort is now in the ruins but it is a pleasant attraction in terms of stunning views you get from here of the countryside. There are few visitors here and solitude inside the ramparts of the fort makes the fort worthy of a good visit. The fort is lit beautifully in the night and dominates the skyline by the day.

Central Museum
Earlier known as Albert Hall, this building was built to welcome Prince of Welcome during his visit to India in 1853. The building is located in sprawling Ram Niwas Garden and houses precious collections of metalware, miniature portraits, and other pieces of art.

JAIPUR - EXCURSIONS
Amber Fort
Amber is located around 11 km north of Jaipur and was ancient capital of Kachchwaha Rajputs. It was Sawai Jai Singh who changed the capital of this warring clan to Jaipur after an interrupted run for around 700 years. The site is one of the most popular in India during the tourist season and elephant rides from the base of the fort to the hilltop. There are excellent views from the hilltop of the countryside and Maota Lake below. You can also boat on the lake for fixed amount of money. Some of the better-known buildings inside the fort are Raj Mahal, Suraj Pol, Singh Pol, Shila Mata temple, Diwan-I-Aam, Ganesh Pol, Jai Mandir, Shish Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Sohag Mandir, and Palace of Man Singh I.

Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort or the Victory Fort is another fort palace of Jaipur located not far from the Nahargarh Fort. Main attraction inside the fort complex is the series of water reservoirs built to store and supply clean water to Jaipur City. Jaivan was the largest hand operated canon in the world and weighs 50 tones. The fort is almost intact as the enemies could never capture it and most of the parts are open for public viewing.

Gaitor
Situated just 8 km away from Jaipur, Gaitor has the marble and sandstone chhattris of the rulers of Jaipur. These chhattris were built by Jai Singh II and set in landscaped gardens.

Sisodia Rani ka Bagh
Sisodia Rani ka Bagh is located 8 km east of Jaipur on the Jaipur - Agra road. This garden palace was built for the second wife of Jai Singh and has attractive tiered gardens with mountains, watercourses, and pavilions with murals.

Sanganer
Sanganer is located 11 km southeast of Jaipur and serves as the airport for the city. The small town of Sanganer located near the airport is famed for its block-printings and papermaking craft traditions.

JAIPUR - TRANSPORTATION
By Air
Sanganer Airport at a distance of around 11 km from the city center is the main air gateway to Jaipur. There are direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and some other cities from Jaipur.

By Rail
From Delhi, there are many trains that connect Jaipur and other cities in Rajasthan; foremost among them is the Palace on Wheels. Other important trains include, Shatabdi Express and Pink City Express both from Delhi.

By Road
From Delhi, there is a direct and well-maintained road to Jaipur. City is connected to most of the tourist destinations in Rajasthan as well as Agra. Jaipur is part of the Golden Travel Circuit of India that includes Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Most of the tours are conducted either through the buses or trains.

Local Transport
Taxis and autos are the most convenient ways of moving inside the city as well as to reach some of the excursions located in the proximity. To move inside the city, you can also look for cycle rickshaws, which are easily available and much cheaper than other transportation modes.