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City Palace
City Palace, Jaipur, India.
Jaipur, the land of Rajahs, Rajputs, and the capital of a relatively new kingdom, is a colorful city that has been under siege many times throughout its history and took on some of the most brutal attacks. This included invasions from the Pathans, the Mughals, the Marathas and even the British and the French. Ironically, a relative peace was brought to this war-torn city via a rare treaty in which it would function as a Princely State during the British Raj. The then Rajah opened his arms to the British by saying, “Having learnt a good deal about the uprightness and amiable qualities of the Governor-General and other English men, I am anxious to open friendly relations with them.” The Rajahs remained loyal to the British, so much so that when the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria visited Jaipur in 1876 on a tour, the entire city was painted pink. Even today, the city is characteristically pink and is called the Pink City. The affluence of this small Princely State is hinted at by the presence of two huge sterling silver water vessels used by the Rajah to carry holy Ganges River water from Banaras when he travelled to England. The sufferings of the Rajputs, however, due to the affluence of a few, the number of wars and invasions, as well as the droughts and famine they have lived through are largely forgotten by history. Instead, now they are known for their bravery, colorful photogenic turbans, and best of all their folksy desert music.
Today Jaipur, as a part of the golden triangle, is a most important tourist destination in India and is the gateway to one of the most photogenic states in India – Rajasthan.
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City Palace
City Palace, Jaipur, India.
Jaipur, the land of Rajahs, Rajputs, and the capital of a relatively new kingdom, is a colorful city that has been under siege many times throughout its history and took on some of the most brutal attacks. This included invasions from the Pathans, the Mughals, the Marathas and even the British and the French. Ironically, a relative peace was brought to this war-torn city via a rare treaty in which it would function as a Princely State during the British Raj. The then Rajah opened his arms to the British by saying, “Having learnt a good deal about the uprightness and amiable qualities of the Governor-General and other English men, I am anxious to open friendly relations with them.” The Rajahs remained loyal to the British, so much so that when the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria visited Jaipur in 1876 on a tour, the entire city was painted pink. Even today, the city is characteristically pink and is called the Pink City. The affluence of this small Princely State is hinted at by the presence of two huge sterling silver water vessels used by the Rajah to carry holy Ganges River water from Banaras when he travelled to England. The sufferings of the Rajputs, however, due to the affluence of a few, the number of wars and invasions, as well as the droughts and famine they have lived through are largely forgotten by history. Instead, now they are known for their bravery, colorful photogenic turbans, and best of all their folksy desert music.
Today Jaipur, as a part of the golden triangle, is a most important tourist destination in India and is the gateway to one of the most photogenic states in India – Rajasthan.
Please follow me on My Website | Facebook | Google+ | tumblr |