The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is not only the gateway to the state, it is also the most natural place to begin a discovery of Rajasthan’s multifaceted attractions. For visitors unfamiliar with its history, a little explanation may be necessary, since it will aid their understanding of one of the most fascinating cities of India.
As a city, Jaipur is fairly young, less than three centuries old. It was laid out by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of the Kachchawaha dynasty from Amber which, less than 10 km away, was the former capital of the state. Markets and residential areas have bridged this gap so that, for all practical purposes, Jaipur includes Amber within its sway.
Like most Rajput kings, the Kachchawahas claim descent from the noble line of Shri Rama, the prince-hero whose exploits are the subject of the great Hindu epic, the Rama-yana. If one were to zip through history to arrive in the 10th century, it would bring us face to face with Dhola Rai whose throne at Narwar (close to Gwalior, in Madhya Pradesh) was usurped by his uncle. However, the royal prince was welcomed as a bridegroom into the feudal principality of Dausa, close to Amber, and he soon made himself at home, even claiming the right to rule. His son, who accepted the hospitality of the Mina tribesmen of Amber, betrayed it similarly and established the foundations of a dynasty that was to become renowned for its power and wealth. In more recent times, the Jaipuris, as they were called, came to represent the glamorous face of princely India, and were the cynosure of the media in Western society. |
