The City of Sawai Jaipur

About the Book The present volume is from the pen of Late Shri Gopal Narain Bahura who had an intimate knowledge of the history of the Kachhwaha ruling family of Amber - Jaipur. The Kachhwaha established their power in Amber in the 11th Century and since then they continued to rule in Amber - Jaipur down to our own times with great distinction. The names of Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh were known throughout India from Afghanistan to Bengal and from Kashmir to the down south. The Kachhwaha rulers were as much known for their qualities as generals, administrators and diplomats as for their devotion to their religion and patronage to Sanskrit learning and literature, sciences and fine arts. They played an important part in the preservation of Hindu Religion and culture and there is strong reason to believe that they greatly influenced Akbar's liberal policies and outlook.

In the City of Sawai Jaipur, Shri Gopal Narain Bahura has given a vivid description of the 280 years old Jaipur city and the important buildings of tourist attraction and along with it the buildings and the development that has taken place after independence. All efforts have been made to make the book informative for the foreign and the. domestic tourists.

Introduction Jai Singh who afterwards came to be known as Sawai Jai Singh, also as Astronomer Prince and a master builder was born on 3rd November 1689 A.D.He succeeded his father Bishan Singh to the throne of Jaipur on 25th January 1700A.D .. He as a Young man of thirteen years very successfully conducted the campaign of Khelna and had shown the traits of his genius and intelligence before Aurangzeb who styled him as Sawai.

After the death of Aurangzeb on 21st February 1707 A, D. Jai Singh had realized that the Mughal dynasty was getting weak and also was not that friendly as in the past. The unscrupulous princes had already shown their character when they took away Amber from him. On the other hand the Marathas had become powerful and had fought battles against the Mughal in Malawi on the periphery of Rajasthan in 1715 A.D. Sensing the danger of the infiltration of the Marathas into Rajasthan, and the importance of keeping them away he had invited the leading rulers of Rajasthan and Conference was held in 1734 A.D. Hurda to decide the solidarity among them to keep the Marathas away. A few years earlier to it the idea came to his mind of founding a new and bigger city to the south of Amber. Sawai Jai Singh had obtained the plans of the famous cities built at that time in Europe. The book is known as the Atlas and is kept in the library of the City Palace.

The Horoscope of Sawai Jaipur The City of Jaipur was founded on 18" Novembar, 1727 A.D.Paush Krishna 1st Saturday 1784 V.S. Time l2.00 Noon by Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur, On February 18,1733 A.D. Sawai Jai Singh requested the Emperor Muhammad Shah, that the new city should now be known as Sawai Jaipur. The request was accepted and to this effect order was issued by Parwana dated 18 April 1733. The city since when till the reign of Sawai Man Singh II in the official records were known as Sawai Jaipur.

When the title of Sawai was conferred by the Emperor on Jai Singh II a quarter was added to . the flag also. The only city in India built on a . regular and scientific town-planning with roads intersecting each other at right angles forming . wards, which are again divided into smaller blocks by streets and lanes; the wider streets . being alternated by the narrower ones has produced a pattern of its own kind not only in India but even outside.

The city is almost a square but for the north-west comer which is occupied by the Amber hills and the square is divided into nine Niches or the nine treasures belonging to the . .. God Kuvera, Dhanpati or the Lord of Wealth.

There being no room for the ninth Nindhi in the square owing to the intrusion of the hill, the ninth Nidhi is placed for conventional reasons outside the square towards the east in continuation of the three Nidhis arranged in the south of the square.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages