Jaipur, also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state and the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, Jaipur was the first planned city in India and unlike many other India cities, the walled city has broad, straight streets and is remarkable among pre-modern Indian cities for the width and regularity of its streets. The sandstone buildings of the city were originally in a variety of colours but were painted pink, a traditional colour of welcome, for the visit of Prince Albert in 1853 and retain their colour today.
The walled city is laid out into six quarters separated by broad streets, with the urban quarters further divided by networks of gridded streets. Five quarters wrap around the east, south, and west sides of a central palace quarter, with a sixth quarter immediately to the east. The Palace quarter encloses a sprawling palace complex, now the palace museum and this district also contains Sawai Jai Singh's observatory Jantar Mantar and the beautiful Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. Jaipur also serves as a base for visiting Amber Fort which lies just 9km from the centre of the city.
With its vibrant and colourful atmosphere, fine heritage hotels, fascinating museums and palaces and easily navigable city centre, Jaipur is a must see for any visitor
