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Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, showcases an excellent blend of tradition, culture and modern attitude. Despite having evolved into a city that is the heart of modern commercial activity in the region, Jaipur still holds a magical old world enamour; an aroma of glory and romance.

Jaipur is known for its outstanding architecture and town planning as it is for its lively spirit of the people who inhabit it. The city presents a unique synthesis of culture that has to be tried in order to be appreciated.

≫ First planned City : Designed by a brilliant architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya from Bengal, Jaipur is the first planned city. He planned it in accordance with ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra (Vaastu). Jaipur was planned in a restrained system with wide straight boulevard, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main roads, all arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (chokdis). To protect the city from invading armies and wild animals the city was surrounded by walls having seven gates.

≫ Street Craft : Measured as a marvel of town planning, Jaipur drew merchants and craftsmen to its streets and rewarded them with colonies earmarked for them. Traditional crafts like jewellery, metal work, enamelling, tie and dye, pottery, leather work, stone carving and miniature painting, patronised by the rulers in the 18th century, continue to thrive in this day and age.

≫ City Palace : The City Palace of Jaipur is exquisite blend of Traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. Initially the work on the fort was started by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Kacchwaha clan of Rajput, and later on addition was made to the Palace complex by his successors. The complex is a home to several ornamented building like Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace museums.

≫ Hawa Mahal : Built in 1799 by Rajput Sawai Pratap Singh,this five story building is a major tourist spot and an important landmark in Jaipur. The building is an astonishing example of Rajput artistryas it overlooks the old city. The building was built to allow royal ladies to look at the processions and the city from the Zenana Women Quarters. This mahal enabled them to climb on the top and get the good view of the city. It is part of the City Palace complex and has a small archaeological museum on the same site.

from http://www.delhiagrajaipur.com/jaipur/jaipur-information.html