Jaipur

Jaipur (jī´pŏŏr), former native state, W India. It is now part of Rajasthan state. The region of Jaipur is semiarid and mostly level, with scattered rocky hills. Despite light rainfall, fair crops of corn, millet, and cotton are raised. Marble, copper, beryllium, and other minerals are mined, and cotton, woolen cloth, and metal products are manufactured. Jaipur was founded in the 12th cent. by the Kachwaha clan of the Rajputs. It became (c.1550) a feudatory of the Mughal empire. In 1818, Great Britain exacted a treaty providing for an annual tribute. Jaipur, city (1991 pop. 1,518,235), capital of Rajasthan, was founded in 1728. Known as the pink city from the color of its houses, it is a transportation junction and a commercial center. It is enclosed by a crenellated wall 20 ft (6 m) high. An unusual feature for an Indian city of this size are the wide, regular streets. The grounds of the former maharaja's palace occupy one seventh of the municipal area. Among Jaipur's famed art products are jewelry, enamels, and muslins. Its industries include metalworking, engineering, and manufactures in beer, glass, carpets, hosiery, shoes, blankets, and chemicals. Rajasthan Univ. is there. Jaipur has a large banking business. The deserted city of Amber, which was the capital of Jaipur state until 1728, is 5 mi (8 km) from Jaipur. The palace there is a fine example of Rajput architecture.

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Publication information: Article title: Jaipur. Encyclopedia title: The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. © 2012 The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. Used with the permission of Columbia University Press. All Rights Reserved. Publisher: The Columbia University Press. Place of publication: Not available. Publication year: 2013.

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