Jaipur
Jaipur, the largest city in the state of Rajasthan and also the capital, is called the 'pink city' because of the characteristic colour of its buildings. These were originally painted in this colour to imitate the red sandstone architecture of the Mughal cities. Mughal architecture is an architectural style developed by the Mughals during the 16th century, an amalgam of Islamic, Persian, and Indian architecture. The current red colour is due to the renovation of the paintings of the buildings undertaken on the occasion of a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876.
Jaipur is a very picturesque city with splendid palaces, forts and historical monuments.
The Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal), built of red and pink sandstone, stands on the edge of Jaipur's City Palace and extends to the royal harem. Its unique five-storey façade resembles the honeycomb of a beehive with its multiple balconies decorated with intricate latticework.
The City Palace, which includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces.
Part of the Chandra Mahal Palace is dedicated to a museum, but most of it remains a royal residence.
Amber Fort, the fort that dominates Jaipur from the top of a hill. This superb and sumptuous palace complex built of red sandstones and marble is set on four levels, each with its own enclosure and entrance gate. It consists of the Diwan-i-Aam or 'Public Audience Hall', the Diwan-i-Khas or 'Private Audience Hall', the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) or Jai Mandir and the Sukh Niwas where the coolness is artificially maintained by air blown over a waterfall inside the palace.
The Gem Palace has been one of India's oldest jewellery houses for over one hundred and sixty years. Jewellers to the Stars and Maharajas, members of the Kasliwal family have maintained an enduring and relevant position in the jewellery trade since the 1700s.
Jaipur is also the gemstone capital of the world. For example, 80% of the raw emeralds are polished here. It is not only a huge market; it also has cutting and manufacturing workshops. It was the maharajas who first brought gems to Jaipur for their own use in the 18th century. Today, sales of jewellery and gems exceed 30 billion euros per year.
Star sapphire
Emeralds
