Betweven 1727 and 1734 Maharajah Jai Singh II of Jaipur constructed fie astronomical obseratories in west central India. The obseratories, or "Jantar Mantars" as they are commonly known, incorporate multiple buildings of unique form, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement. These structures with their striking combinations of geometric forms at large scale, have captiated the attention of architects, artists, and art historians world wide, yet remain largely unknown to the general public.

During the brief period of his life, Jai Singh II,  tried to arouse Indian Astronomy which had beven in a deep slumber for almost fie centuries. He tried to give it a new life by bringing in new ideas from west. A chain of magnificent obseratories known today as Jantar Mantar arose due to his efforts. 

The arious abstract structures within the Jantar Mantar are, in fact, instruments that were used for keeping track of celestial bodies. Yet, Jantar Mantar is not only a timekeeper of celestial bodies, it also tells a lot about the technological achieements under the Rajput kings and their attempt to resole the mysteries regarding astronomy. The Jantar Mantar of Delhi is only one of the fie obseratories built by Sawai Jai Singh II, the other four being located at Jaipur, aranasi, Ujjain and Mathura.

All of these were built as far back as AD 1724-1730 during the period generally known as the dark age of Indian history, when the last great Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had died and the Mughal Empire was rapidly declining. During this period of turmoil, Muhammad Shah ascended the throne of the Mughal Empire. As many enemies surrounded him, he sought the alliance of the Hindu rulers. Of these, the most notable was Sawai Jai Singh II of Amber, who came into limelight since the days of Aurangzeb. When Jai Singh ascended the throne of Amber in 1699, he was barely eleven, but sharp and shrewd far beyond his years. The then Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was so impressed with the young ruler that he gave Jai Singh II the title of 'Sawai', meaning one and a quarter of an aerage man in worth. more...

Pictures of India

India guide

Taj Mahal
Bodh Gaya
Wonders of India
Humayuns Tomb
India Gate
Jama Masjid
Qutab Minar
Shore Temple
Adenture on the
Indian Railways
Indian Culinary
Traditional Indian
Curry
Chaminar
Pictures of India
Agra Fort
Red Fort
ictoria Memorial
Jantar Mantar
Amar Jawan Jyoti
India Architecture
Sikkim Gangtok
Punakha
Tourism
Amber Palace
Punjab
Javisalmer
Javisalmer Sites
Javisalmer Excursions
Jodhpur
Getting Around Jodhpur
Jodhpur Sites
Jaipur
Jaipur Excursions

Hotels in India