City and capital of the north-west state, Rajasthan, about 240km (150 miles) south-west of Delhi. It was founded in 1728 by Maharaja Jai Singh II who ordered it to be painted in pink, the colour which his astrologers declared auspicious for him. It is one of the most beautiful cities in India.

One frontage of the royal palace is renowned for its many stone filigree windows from which the palace got the name the “Palace of the Winds” (Hawa Mahal). It is now the symbol of the modern state. Inside the city walls are numerous other magnificent buildings, including the finest of Maharaja Jai Singh’s open-air observatories. Outside the walls are the spacious government headquarters and…

City and capital of the north-west state, Rajasthan, about 240km (150 miles) south-west of Delhi. It was founded in 1728 by Maharaja Jai Singh II who ordered it to be painted in pink, the colour which his astrologers declared auspicious for him. It is one of the most beautiful cities in India.

One frontage of the royal palace is renowned for its many stone filigree windows from which the palace got the name the “Palace of the Winds” (Hawa Mahal). It is now the symbol of the modern state. Inside the city walls are numerous other magnificent buildings, including the finest of Maharaja Jai Singh’s open-air observatories. Outside the walls are the spacious government headquarters and modern suburbs. Jaipur is noted for its carpets, jewelry and paintings, including some exquisite miniature work.