History of Jaipur

Jaipur, one of the most beautiful cities of India, ha a distinct history of its own. History of Jaipur provides one with complete information about the birth of the city and its emergence as one of the major commercial centers of the country.

The history of Jaipur dates back as early as the 18th century. The city was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, in the year 1727. The city actually takes its name from a princely state called Jaipur State that existed sometime during the twelfth century. This state was home to the Kachwaha Rajput clan. The state was found in the year 1097 by a man named Dulaha Raya, who came from Gwalior. They drove out the local Meenas and the Bargujar Rajput chiefs and settled over here. Their capital was at that time the city of Amber.

In the year 1727, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, a mathematician and astronomer, shifted the capital from Amber to Jaipur. Due to ever increasing population of his kingdom and the increasing scarcity of water, made him build this wonderful city. The city was designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, a Bengali architect and is an example of Indian architecture. In fact, history of Jaipur shows that it is one of the first planned cities of India. The city in ancient times experience extensive cultural developments. Large number of temples, parks an gardens were built to beautify the city.

Jaipur’s history is filled with tales of internal conflicts and warfare. The rulers of the state or rather city were constantly fighting battles with the Marathas, Jats, British, Pindaris and the other Rajput kings. However, in the year 1803, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh signed a treaty with the British. However later on this treaty was dissolved by Lord Cornwallis. In the year 1857, the Maharaja of Jaipur helped the British to suppress the sepoy mutiny in Gurgaon. When the Prince of Wales visited the city in the year 1876, it was painted pink, as a mark of its hospitality. In the year 1948, after India gained independence form the British, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II handed over the state of Jaipur to the Indian Government, and thereafter the city became the capital of Rajasthan.

The history of Jaipur is filled with tales of brave kings and traces the emergence of the city as one of the most important cities of India.