Jaipur on its 289th Birthday: A Journey from the Walled City to the Mall City!
Happy Birthday Jaipur!
Jaipur – the city of pink streets has its 289th Foundation Day today on Nov 18, 2016, also celebrated as Jaipur Sthapna Diwas. It’s our city’s 289th birthday – a day to celebrate and cherish the dozens of stories associated with the city and a time to see how far the city has come in terms of changes, developing and growing Jaipur.
The specialties of our wonderful city
Anyone who visits Jaipur even for a day can tell that the people here are very proud of the city and so they should be. The Pink of our pink city Jaipur signifies both romance and thrill. The city has its past in the beautiful heritage and also a present in emerging as a smart hi-tech city. What’s special about this city is that the new, modern multi-storey buildings have their roots grounded in its rich history.
The new developed Mall City doesn’t cut off people from the ancient Walled City. It rather focuses on connecting the two sides with modern metropolitan facilities. Let’s walk through some stories of the Changing, Developing and Growing Jaipur city on its 289th Foundation Day!
Quick Facts
- Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II laid the foundations of the Jaipur city on November 18, 1727.
- The layout of the Jaipur city was developed under the architectural guidance of Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya.
- The foundation of city of Jaipur was laid in 9 squares. Two of them were assigned for the royal administration and palaces while the remaining 7 were assigned to the public.
- In 1876 the city was painted in pink hues to welcome the King of Wales, Albert Edward.
- Jaipur became the 10th most populated city in 2011.
Old Jaipur
Jaipur in its early days was very spacious and full of greenery. Bullock carts were used to collect wastes from the city, which was then dumped at some distance from the Ramganj Bazaar. The city was constructed with such great calculations that everything was under reach for the people of Jaipur. The close proximity of Jaipur bazaars to the households ensured that people can get everything they need in no time.
First colony of Jaipur in 1939
Most buildings were made of mud during Maharaja Man Singh’s time and were some 200 years old. But the range of the city was increasing with time so a new master plan of the city was made in 1935. They searched for new areas nearby the city and the closest area was developed as the very first colony of Jaipur – the New Colony in 1939. Post partition in 1947, the areas of Adarsh Nagar and Raja Park were developed.
Nawab Sahab ki Haveli
Nawab Sahab ki Haveli, the haveli from where Vidhyadhar watched the city he designed. Let’s tell you some entertaining facts about this haveli. The roof of this haveli offers an enchanting view of over 25 important heritage buildings of Jaipur. The roof has some mirrors fixed at specifically calculated angles, which allow you to experience beautiful panorama views of the city. These facts have been shared by Trilokidas Khandelwal, the owner of a major portion of this haveli.
- The 50 ft. high Nawab Sahab ki Haveli stands right in front of the huge Tripolia Gate, which has been the starting point for important royal processions like that of Teej and Gangaur over years.
- The Haveli allows you to see across several important landmarks of the city including Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh, seven-storey Sargasuli Tower ‘Isarlat’, the gate of Amer Fort, Birla Mandir, Sawai Mansingh Town Hall, Janani Dyodhi of City Palace, Jaigarh Fort and all the way from Albert Hall to the Ganesha Temple at Moti Dungri.
- The famous architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya got this haveli constructed as his residence during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th century. The construction started in 1727. The aim behind building it this way was to see the entire city from one place and also to let the Maharaja keep a watch over his city.
- Maharaja Jagat Singh’s love interest Rasakpur dreamt of residing in this haveli but her dream couldn’t come true as Jagat Singh got stuck in Jodhpur campaign and Rasakpur was captured in Nahargarh. Till date it’s not clear whether Rasakpur died or was captured and killed.
- During the reign of Maharaja Madho Singh, the haveli was given to Nawab Sir Faiz Ali Khan’s son Sir Faiyaz Ali Khan. Since then the haveli started being called as Nawab Sahab ki Haveli.
Ikke – the old means of transport
One of the earliest means of transport used in the city of Jaipur was Ikke, which used to have a horse and could accommodate 2-3 people. Getting Ikke was easy from the Chaupad. After these Tonga came into the scene, which allowed carrying 4 people at a time.
Barah Bhaiyon ka Chauraha
One circle at the Nahargarh road is known as Barah Bhaiyon ka Chauraha. Historian Raghunath Prasad Tiwari shares that this circle was once known for being the confluence of twelve religions. People belonging to 12 different religions, races and castes used to live here with so much harmony, peace and fraternity that this place got named as ‘Barah Bhaiyon ka Chauraha’.
Pink City Jaipur is just 5% Pink
Unquestionably the city of Jaipur is known worldwide for its pink shades but with time and growth of the city, the pink painted area of Jaipur has shrunk a lot. There was a time when the city had just 1.5 lakh people living here, which has now grown to over 10 lakh people. With the increasing numbers, the city has also spread a lot over these years such that the painted walled city of Jaipur is just 5% of the total region Jaipur covers today.
However efforts are being made to maintain the heritage and bring the pink colour of Jaipur to its new expansions as well. Thus, several park walls and roadways in the areas outside the walled city are also getting painted pink to leave an impression of the city’s heritage all across the city.
