Photos from Jaipur

Jaipur, part of the afore-mentioned "Golden Triangle," is the capital city of the Indian state of Rajastan. Founded in 1727 by iSingh II, who previously ruled the city of Amber just outside, it was nicknamed "the Pink City" because it was painted pink for the arrival of a British prince, and because the stones from Rajastan's quarries have a natural reddish shade to them. Jai Singh also built Jantar Mantar, an astrological observatory. Rajastan remained fairly independent during the British Raj and the ruler was only stripped of his power after Indian Independence. The current Maharajah still lives in the city palace but has no actual political power.

The City Palace of Jaipur

Jantar Mantar, an astrological observatory built by Jai Singh II

The Pink City of Jaipur (General)

The Amber Fort just ouside Jaipur