Jaipur

Why visit Jaipur

Jaipur packs a great deal of Rajasthan's history into a compact area. Amber Fort, in the hills to the north, was the seat of the Kachhwaha rulers before the move to the plain, and it is one of the six Hill Forts of Rajasthan on UNESCO's World Heritage List. In the old city below, UNESCO singles out the City Palace, the Govind Dev temple, the Hawa Mahal and the Jantar Mantar as examples of the craftsmanship of Jaipur's early years.

Crafts are still part of everyday life. Jaipur joined UNESCO's Creative Cities Network for crafts and folk art in 2015, and the city is known for its coloured gems. The bazaars of the walled city, and the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing in Amber, are good places to see block-printed textiles, jewellery and other local work.

The walled old city

Sawai Jai Singh II moved his capital from Amber because of a growing population and a shortage of water. Instead of clinging to a hillside like earlier capitals, the new city was laid out on the plain in a grid that UNESCO describes as an interpretation of Vedic architectural principles. The terracotta pink of its façades gives Jaipur its nickname.

• Hawa Mahal — built in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh, a five-storey screen of small latticed windows from which the women of the royal household could watch street life unseen. It is best seen from across the road, and you can also climb to the top for the view.
• City Palace — begun by Sawai Jai Singh II and extended by later rulers. Part of it is still home to the former royal family, while the Mubarak Mahal houses a museum of royal costumes and textiles.
• Jantar Mantar — the largest of the observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh II, and a World Heritage Site since 2010. UNESCO describes a set of some twenty main fixed instruments for observing the sky with the naked eye.
• Albert Hall — the museum in Ram Niwas Garden, whose foundation stone was laid by the Prince of Wales in 1876. Its collections range from metalwork and carpets to miniature paintings from several Rajasthani schools.

Forts on the hills

The Aravalli ridges north of the city are lined with fortifications. Amber Fort is the one most visitors see. Nahargarh Fort, built in 1734 on a ridge directly above the city, is known for its views over Jaipur — especially after dark, when the city lights come on. Jaigarh Fort, built by Sawai Jai Singh II in the early 18th century near Amber, displays the Jaiban cannon.

How long to spend in Jaipur

Two full days cover the main sights at a comfortable pace: one for Amber and the hill forts, one for the old city. A third day leaves room for the bazaars, a museum or a slower start. For the most comfortable weather, see when to visit Rajasthan. Jaipur is also the usual starting point for the Royal Rajasthan route west to Jodhpur and Udaipur.