Jaipur (the pink city), the capital of Rajasthan is a walled city with 7 gates. It is surrounded by rugged hills with forts and palaces as adornment. The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1699-1744). He felt the need to shift his capital from Amber. The city of Jaipur was planned according to Shilpa Sastra and was built by a Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya. The city is laid out with 6 rectangular sections with broad roads and spacious bazaars. In 1863 AD, numerous pink sandstone forts arose to welcome Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria.

The city palace, a former royal residence is built in traditional Rajasthani and Moghul styles, with ornate gtes, arches, balconies and courtyards. The ground and first floors of the seven storey Chandra Mahal houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum with its rich collection of ornaments, arms, royal costumes, carpets, miniature paintings of both Rajasthani & Moghul styles, illustrated Persian and Arabic manuscripts, chariots, carraiges, royal howdahs (elephant seats) and other art objects. Adjoinging the palace is the beautiful Jal Niwas Gardens.