Jaipur gets its name from its founder maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1744),the great warrior and astronomer. He came to power at the age of 11 on the death of his father Bishan Singh. The maharaja was told that his son would achieve greatness and set out to ensure that Jai Singh had a good education. He was trained by the best teachers and scholars in art, science, philosophy and military affairs. His scholastic background matched his innate wits.

When Jai Singh was 15, emperor Aurangzeb summoned him to court. Jai Singh had contravened the agreement of not waging war against the Marathas in the Deccan. On meeting Jai, Aurangzab clasping his hand in greeting demanded an explanation. Jai Singh, then 15,replied that since the emperor had extended his hand, it implied that he would protect Jai Singh and his kingdom Impressed by his reply, Aurangzab conferred the title of Sawai meaning one and quarter, a title that all of Jai Singh’s descendants kept.

Jai Singh’s lineage can be traced back to the Kucchwaha Rajput clan who came to power in the 12th century. They built the magnificent Amber Fort and their might spread to the month east of present day Jaipur encompassing the kingdoms of Mewar (Udaipur) and Marwar (Jodhpur). At that time, the might of the Mughal empire was at its peak and recognizing it, the Kucchwahas aligned themselves with the Mughals. When Jai Singh came to power, there was a moment of disquiet when he supported Aurangzeb’s son. Azam Shah’s bid to the throne, Azam Shah lost the battle of succession to his brother Bahadur Shah who demanded Jai Singh's removal and the installation of Vijay Singh to the throne of Jaipur. Jai Singh, not one to take setbacks lying down, formed a formidable front against the Mughals by aligning himself with other Rajput states and reinstated himself.
After the dust had settled, peace reigned and the kingdom prospered and its borders expanded. However expansion meant that the limited sources of water proved inadequate for the city. which he named Jaipur, after himself. Much of the credit for Jaipur goes to Vidyadhar Bhattachary, chief architect from Bengal who with Jai Singh’s approval founded the city on strong scientific principles. Laid out according to the Shilpa Shastra, ancient architectural manuals, it remains one of India’s best planned cities.
After Jai Singh’s death in 1744,the obvious happened his sons squabbled for power and without monarch, the kingdom became open to invasion and neighboring Rajput states and the Marathas usurped large areas of territory.

Raj Mandir :-
Jaipur's Art Moderne Raj Mandir Cinema is a popular tourist attraction and India's best known cinema building. Designed by architect W M Namjoshi, it opened in 1976 and even if you aren't up for a Hindi film, it's well worth a visit in itself.

Raj Mandir
B-16, Bhagwan Das Rd C-Scheme,
Jaipur -302001
# 2379372

The exterior of the building is made up of various asymetrical shapes, zig-zags, curves and even stars set into the facade, all lit at night by concealed lighting. Inside, lighting changes colours, hidden behind and underneath a frond fern leaf-like plaster trough which has openings all over the ceiling and walls.