Of all the princely states of yore in India, Rajputana (the region around Jaipur) is undoubtedly the one with the most martial record. It was a state of warring factions locked in deadly warfare, thousands of royal ladies consigning themselves to flames preferring death to dishonour. In this land, towering forts were built not only for ostentation but also to intimidate the enemy. Stranger was the life of some of its warrior kings, who fought great battles on one hand and were great patrons of arts on the other.
Today, Jaipur is the personification of the old order influence the new. An inherent feel for colour and design percolated ever stratum of society, and jewellery, crafts and architecture became objects of delight equally between prince and peasant.
Of all the princely states of yore in India, Rajputana (the region around Jaipur) is undoubtedly the one with the most martial record. It was a state of warring factions locked in deadly warfare, thousands of royal ladies consigning themselves to flames preferring death to dishonour. In this land, towering forts were built not only for ostentation but also to intimidate the enemy. Stranger was the life of some of its warrior kings, who fought great battles on one hand and were great patrons of arts on the other.