History

Jaipur is always associated with the architectural as well as administrative brilliance of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who succeeded his father Maharaja Bishan Singh, at the age of 11. It was after him that the city was christened. He belonged to the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, who traced their lineage from Lord Rama. They were always known to be great warriors and also for creating strategic alliances with large empires. This made them owners of a vast empire, that touched the boundaries of Mewar (Udaipur)and Warwar (Jodhpur). They administered their empire from the majestic Amber Fort, which stands 11 km from Jaipur.

It was due to enhanced population pressure, security reasons as well as water scarcity, that Maharaja Jai Singh II thought of establishing a new capital. It was after rigorous research and planning that he created the first planned city of northern India, called Jaipur, in 1727. For this he consulted a Brahmin scholar Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, who guided him in creating the layout plans of the city, following the principles of the Indian architectural style called 'Shilp Shastra'. In four years, the masterpiece was created, showcasing amazingly symmetric blocks fitted with palaces and villages and interspersed with well-laid out lanes and systematically aligned shops. Huge fortification walls around the city added to its security aspect.

When Jai Singh was born, an astrologer had told his parents that he would be a great achiever in his life. At a tender age of 15, Mughal emperor Jahangir bestowed him with the title of Sawai or 'one and a quarter' for being an extraordinary lad. This title was proudly carried by his descendants too.

Though the Kachhwahas always maintained good relations with the Mughal rulers, knowing that it would benefit them, but after Aurangzeb's demise, Jai Singh favored Azam Shah to succeed to the Mughal throne, which made Bahadur Shah angry. He ordered Jai Singh's younger brother Vijay, to succeed to the throne, but Jai Singh not just managed to return back to the throne but also developed his kingdom into a rich and prosperous one.

After Maharaja Jai Singh's death, there were disputes between his sons that ultimately welcomed invasions from the nearby kingdoms. Though the kingdom always had good relations with the Britishers too, but the latter started exercising excessive control and domination. During the rule of Maharaja Ram Singh, the city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, in the year 1876. He also added a lake in the city, to solve the problem of water scarcity.

In the 19th century, the city started expanding outside the actual city walls, disturbing the careful planning of the old city. In 1922, Jaipur's last king, Maharaja Man Singh II, succeeded Maharaja Madho Singh II. Post independence, the princely state was merged with the kingdoms of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner to form Greater Rajasthan Union and its ruler, Man Singh was honored with the title of Rajpramukh meaning 'head of the state'. Later, in 1949, Jaipur was made the capital of Rajasthan.