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 The
Inner City takes one to the historical inner city as also the
main shopping centres. The best way is to walk or on a cycle
or cycle rickshaw. The old city has a wall around it and at
intervals there are gates with the main ones being Chandpol,
Ajmeri and Sanganeri. One comes to an important intersection
called Panch Batti which is roughly within 4 kilometers of
most hotels in the city. From this intersection, one also gets
a view of the statue of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singhand adjacent
to this is one of the major cinema halls of the city, Raj
Mandir. From M.I. Road, there is a lane to the north and one
enters the walled city through this lane. Once inside, go
towards Khajanae Walon Ka Rasta. Where you can see Jaipur's
marble craftmenship and exquisite marble sculptures, you can
purchase one for your collection. The Khajane Walon Ka Rasta
meets another road which is Chandpol Bazar with the entrance
being Vhandpol. At the intersection of Chandpol Bazar and
Kishanpol Bazarlies Choti Chaupar where villagers from around
Jaipur come to sell and trade their produce. Kishanpol Bazr is
known for its textiles and tie dye cloth and you can see the
artisans engaged in their work here, producing two forms of
the tie- die, bandhani and loharia. After crosssing Choti
chaupar, one enters Tripolia Bazr. Here you see a number of
shops selling domestic kitchen utensils, trinkets, textiles
and goods made of iron. A by lane to the right will take you
to Maniharon ka Rasta. Here you can meet the lac bangle makers
and even buy their wares at bargain prices. To the north of
the bazar is the Swargasuli or the Isar Lat (a minaret which
pierces the heaven) and it is the highest structure in Jaipur.
The minaret was got built by Sawai Ishwari Singh as a victory
tower. Lacking the Military accumen and courage of his warrior
ather, Ishwari Singh took his life rather than confront the
advancing Maratha army. His ignonimous end was overshadowed by
the sacrifice of his 21 wives and concubines, who performed
Jauhar by immolating themselve supon his funeral pyre.
 A small distance towards the west from the minaret is Tripolia
Gate, a gate with three arches from which the bazar got its
name. This is the main entrance to the City Palace and Jantar
Mantar, but only the Maharaja's family is permitted entrance
via its portals. The public entrance is via Atishpol or Stable
Gate, to the left. You can visit the City Palace complex, the
Jantar Mantar and to the north of the City Palace is the
Govindji Temple which has gardens around it. An image of Lord
Govinda was installed here by Jai Singh as a patron deity of
his family. Come out of the complex through the Jalebi Chowk
and Sireh Deori Gate. The your right is the Hawa Mahal. The
bazar here is known as the Siredeori Bazaar, also known as the
Hawa Mahal Bazaar. Few yards from here is a large square known
as Bari Chaupar.
 Further south from the Bari Chaupar is Johari Bazar. Johari
bazaar and the small lanes which dissect it are where you will
find Jaipur's jewelers and gold and silversmiths. Of
particular interest are the artisans doing enameling, or
meenakari. This highly glazed and intricate work in shades of
ruby, bottle green and royal blue is a speciality of Jaipur.
On Johari Bazzar you can also find cotton merchants
interspersed with the uniform shop fronts are the grand
havelis or homes of Jaipur's wealthy merchants. Look out on
your right for the famous Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (LNB) for
namkeens, sweets and paneer ghewar. If you turn right before
exiting the Sanganeri ate you will reach Bapu Bazaar and
farther west, Nehru Bazaar which extends between Chaura Rasta
and Kishanpol Bazaar on the inside of the southern wall.
Brightly coloured fabric, shoes of camel skin, trinkets and
aromatic perfumes make this bazaar a favourite destination of
Jaipur's women. At the end of Nehru Bazaar to your left is the
Ajmeri Gate. Come out of Ajmeri Gate and the road is you see
is the M.I. Road. Turn right from here and walk down straight
and you are back to Panch Batti crossing - from where you
started. |
