5 Things To Know About Jaipur’s Founder – Sawai Jai Singh II on his 329th Birth Anniversary

Today is a big day for Jaipur as it’s the birth anniversary of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the man who is behind the construction of Jaipur city. On this auspicious day, let us surprise you with some interesting facts about the man who we owe our existence to 🙂

1. Founder of Jaipur
   Founded on 18 November 1726 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amer, the city of Jaipur has been named after him. Jaipur, known originally as Jainagara (in Sanskrit, as the ‘city of victory’ and later as the ‘pink city’ by the British by the early 20th century), the planned city, later became the capital as the Indian state of Rajasthan.

   

2. Shifting capital from Amer
   After having ruled Amer for 70 years (1688-1758), Maharaja Jai Singh II planned to shift his capital 11 km away to Jaipur to accommodate the growing population.

   

3. Title of ‘Sawai’
   He became ruler of Amber at the age of 11 after his father Maharaja Bishan Singh died on 31 December 1699. On 2 June 1723, the emperor further bestowed him the titles of Raj Rajeshvar, Shri Rajadhiraj and Maharaja Sawai.”Sawai” means one and a quarter times superior to his contemporaries, and this title was awarded to him due to his wits.

   

4. Jantar Mantar
   In 1719, he was witness to a noisy discussion in the court of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. The heated debate regarded how to make astronomical calculations to determine an auspicious date when the emperor could start a journey. This discussion led Jai Singh to think that the nation needed to be educated on the subject of astronomy. Due to his profound interest in mathematics, architecture and astronomy, in the midst of local wars, foreign invasions, and consequent turmoil, Sawai Jai Singh found time and energy to build five astronomical observatories, out of which only the one in Jaipur is operational – our very own Jantar Mantar.

   
   
   

5. Statue Circle
   The beautiful and historic landmark of Jaipur – Statue Circle is reminiscent of the rich history and architecture of Jaipur,and a tribute to the founder of Jaipur – Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.