Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and one of northern India's most distinctive historic cities, widely known as the Pink City for the salmon-coloured buildings of its walled old town. It was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and laid out on a grid plan, with broad avenues, bazaars and nine rectangular sectors.

The old city contains some of Rajasthan's most famous landmarks, including the Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just outside the centre, hilltop forts such as Amber Fort, Nahargarh and Jaigarh overlook the surrounding Aravalli landscape and reflect the region's Rajput heritage.

Beyond the historic core, neighbourhoods range from the busy bazaars of Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar to modern commercial areas such as C-Scheme, Malviya Nagar and Vaishali Nagar, which offer hotels, restaurants, malls and craft markets.

Jaipur is also an important business centre for gems and jewellery, textiles, handicrafts and IT services, and it hosts events such as the Jaipur Literature Festival. Its food scene combines Rajasthani specialities, street snacks and contemporary dining, while its forts, palaces and craft traditions draw leisure travellers throughout the year.

For both leisure and business visitors, Jaipur combines accessible history, a strong hospitality sector and growing modern infrastructure, making it a natural base for exploring Rajasthan's cultural and commercial life.