The city of victor, Jaipur, presides over the fascinating desert State of Rajasthan. Surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort, it is a city of beautiful palaces, mansion and gardens. The city was founded in 1727 AD by Maharaja Jai Singh who moved his capital from Amber to the city he built. Jai Singh’s various talents and interests are clearly exhibited in the city. The designing of the city was entrusted to a young Bengali architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya who laid the plains according to the Hindu treaties, the Shilp Shastra. Jaipur was built in the form of a rectangle, divided into blocks with raids and avenues running parallel to the side. In 1863,Jaipur dressed itself in pink to welcome Prince Albert, consort of queen Victoria. Since then the city has been known as ‘The Pink City’. Modern Jaipur, however, has surpassed its earlier limits and now extends very nearly to the doors of the ancient capital of Amber.
Besides being a fascinating city to explore. Jaipur is an excellent base from which to visit its enchanting surroundings: Ajmer and Pushkar, famous for the Dargah of Salim Chisti and the temple of Brahma respectively; Shekhwati, a region of fabulous frescoes and havelis; Bikaner and Jaisalmer, the desert cities whose colour and architecture defies their harsh surroundings; Jodhpur, the city of an impregnable fort; Sariska and Bharatpur, homes of a wealth of wildlife and birds; and scores of historical sites.