Context: The conservation and development of Jaipur's Walled City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019, will be funded with ₹100 crore. The initiative will focus on enhancing infrastructure while preserving the city's architectural heritage and vibrant culture.
Important monuments in Jaipur
- Known for its pink facade buildings, the Walled City's heritage status reflects its distinctive grid-based street layout with colonnades that form large public squares called chaupars.
- The city's urban planning integrates ancient Hindu, Mughal, and Western architectural influences.
- The Walled City is renowned for its landmarks, including the 400-year-old Man Sagar Lake, City Palace, Tripolia Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Sanganeri Gate, Zorawar Singh Gate, Jantar Mantar Observatory.
- It also features Maota Lake at the base of the historic Amber Palace, the Maharaja School of Arts & Crafts (now the Museum of Legacies) in Kishanpole Bazaar, and the Hawa Mahal, Jaipur’s most iconic landmark.
Man Sagar Lake
- Man Sagar Lake, an artificial reservoir, boasts a history of over 400 years.
- Constructed around 1610 by Raja Man Singh, the then ruler of Amer, the lake was created by damming the Dravyavati River.
- Its purpose was to enhance water supply and irrigation in the region.
- The lake is bordered by the Aravalli hills on the north, west, and east, while the southern side features densely populated plains.
- A key feature of Man Sagar Lake is the Jal Mahal, a palace situated in the lake's centre, offering a picturesque view.
City Palace
- The City Palace served as both a royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the Jaipur State
- Its construction began shortly after the city of Jaipur was founded under Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who relocated his court from Amber to Jaipur in 1727.
- The palace was completed in 1732 and continued to function as the ceremonial and administrative centre of the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1949, when Jaipur became part of the newly formed Indian state of Rajasthan.
- The palace’s design reflects a blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles.
Jantar Mantar observatory
- The Jantar Mantar is an exceptional collection of 19 astronomical instruments commissioned by Sawai Jai Singh II.
- Completed in 1734, this observatory is renowned for housing the world’s largest stone sundial and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Situated close to the City Palace and Hawa Mahal, the Jantar Mantar allows for the naked-eye observation of celestial positions
- It also follows three classical celestial coordinates to track the positions of heavenly bodies- namely the horizon-zenith local system, the equatorial system, and the ecliptic system.
- The main aim of Jai Singh II was to refine the ancient Islamic zij tables, to measure the exact hour continuously, and to define the calendar in a more precise manner. Therefore this observatory is an example of Ptolemaic positional astronomy which was an example to many civilizations.
Amber fort
History:
- The settlement was originally founded by Raja Alan Singh of the Chanda clan in 967 CE.
- The Amber Fort, as it stands today, was constructed over the remnants of this earlier structure during the reign of Raja Man Singh, a Kachwaha King of Amer.
- His descendant, Jai Singh I, further expanded the fort.
- The fort's significance continued until 1727 when the Kachwahas shifted their capital to Jaipur under the rule of Sawai Jai Singh II.
- Despite this transition, the Fort remained a prominent site and continued to be a symbol of Rajput grandeur.
Architectural features:
- The present structure showcases Rajput architecture with Mughal influences.
- Constructed from red sandstone and marble, the fort is renowned for its opulence and grandeur.
- The fort is divided into sections, each with its own gate and courtyard:
- Suraj Pol (Sun Gate): The primary entrance to the fort.
- Diwan-e-Am (Hall of Public Audience): Features a pillared hall and a two-tiered gateway known as Ganesh Pol.
- Dil-e-Aaram Garden: A Mughal-style-garden leading to the Diwan-e-Am, characterized by latticed galleries and double-rowed columns with elephant-shaped capitals.
- Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Private Audience): An exclusive area for private meetings.
- Within the fort, two prominent buildings are located opposite each other in a separate courtyard:
- Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace): Renowned for its intricate mirror work.
- Jai Mandir: A beautiful structure complementing the Sheesh Mahal, both forming part of the ‘Zenana’ (women’s quarters). This area was designed to ensure privacy for the kings and their queens.
- Religious significance:
- Near the Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to Shila Devi, a goddess from the Chaitanya cult, given to Raja Man Singh after his victory over the Raja of Jessore in 1604 (present-day Bangladesh).
- UNESCO recognition:
- In June 2013, the Amber Fort, along with five other forts in Rajasthan (Chittor Fort, Gagron Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Kumbhalgarh, and Ranthambore Fort), was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
- These forts were recognized for their exemplary Rajput military hill architecture and cultural significance.
Hawa Mahal
- The Hawa Mahal, or ‘Palace of Winds,’ is a distinctive palace.
- Built from red and pink sandstone, it is strategically located on the edge of the City Palace.
- This iconic structure, completed in 1799, is celebrated for its unique architectural features and its role as a symbol of Jaipur's rich heritage.
History:
- Constructed by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the Hawa Mahal was inspired by the Khetri Mahal's distinctive architecture.
Architectural feature:
- The Hawa Mahal was designed by the architect Lal Chand Ustad.
- Its façade, resembling a honeycomb, consists of 953 small windows, known as Jharokhas, adorned with intricate latticework.
- This lattice design served a dual purpose:
- allowing royal women to observe street life and festivals without being seen, and
- facilitating a natural cooling effect through the Venturi effect, making the interior more comfortable during the hot summer months.
- The palace's five-story exterior is a visual masterpiece, with each Jharokha showcasing delicate carvings.
- Its design reflects a fusion of Hindu Rajput and Islamic Mughal architectural styles.
- The Rajput influence is evident in the domed canopies, fluted pillars, and floral motifs;
- While the Mughal influence is visible in the stone inlay work and arches, reminiscent of the Panch Mahal at Fatehpur Sikri.