Jantar mantar the observatory of Jaipur city is world famous for its sundials. This is the second observatory built by Raja Jai Singh to learn the movement of stars. Especially it has two sundials and other instruments as well to make the horoscope. The observatory has been built to learn the direction, altitude and declination of the stars and the eclipse of the sun and moon. The mathematical and astronomical knowledge of Jai singh II give way to built five observatories in India.
Jantar Mantar the observatory of Jaipur is the largest observatory among five observatory in India. These all, built by Raja Jai singh in different parts of India, under the commission of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. Who wished to know the movement of stars and thereby taking the military exercises against the possible attack of Nadir Shah of Iran.
Role of Astronomy in the Administration of Mughals
There are not very much examples but few that show the astronomical understanding of Mughal Emperors. The Mughal Empire came into existence after the first battle of Panipat in 1526. Babur from Kabul attacked the Ibrahim Lodi and became the Emperor of India. He was well versed and highly literate person, and loved reading prose and poetry. He started a tradition of autobiography by writing his own book as Baburnama. which other Emperors of Mughal Empire followed.
But his son Humayun who became the second Mughal emperor of India was a lover of astronomy and astrology. He used to learn and do his many works according to the movement of planets and stars. It is said that his court was held and the clothes color was also related to the days of the week, to work accordingly as the astrologers suggested. But unfortunately this did not help him. When Sher Shah Suri attacked him and forced him to spent many years in exile.
When there was an eminent danger of attack from Persia (Iran) and rebellion from the different regions of India. Muhammad Shah ordered the Rajput King Sawai Jai Singh II, to make an astronomical device to calculate the movements of planets. The King of Amer and Jaipur was a brave General of Army and a great scholar of mathematics and astronomy.
The first Jantar Mantar the observatory built in Delhi
Raja Jai singh II started building an astronomical observatory in Delhi in 1721. After the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, allotted him the task of re-examining the calendar and astronomical records. Completed after three years in 1724 with lots of research and calculation. It has many instruments, that built to calculate the local time and the astrological movements.
The major instruments here is Samrat yantra that means the king instrument of all other instruments. The task of this instrument is to know the actual time of the local time. It has the shape which like the axis of the earth. Which obstruct the sunlight and the shadow that fall on it display the local time. Other instruments here are Ram yantra, Jaya parkash yantra, and Mishra yantra. The others are Disha yantra, Chakra yantra, Rashiwalya yantra etc.
Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is the largest Observatory
Among the total five of the observatory built for the astronomical movement. The Jantar mantar of Jaipur has two sundials or Samrat yantra. One of the Sundial is 27 meter high with a 27 degree angle of the Earth axis. This is the world highest sundial. In the Guinese book of world records it records the Jantar Mantar
It has a laghu Samrat yantra or Small sundial to tell the local time of Jaipur. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is a world heritage site by UNESCO. After the construction of the new capital city of Jaipur in 1727. The Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II shifted his capital from the Amer fort city to Jaipur. Amer fort is a World heritage site by UNESCO.
The construction of the Jantar Mantar the observatory of Jaipur probably started with the construction of Jaipur city. The completion year is 1728. But the construction of many instruments kept on until 1738. The shifting of observation of Jai singh II from Jantar Mantar of Delhi to Jaipur remain until his death in 1743.
King Jai singh built three more observatories on different locations of India. These are the observatory of Ujaain, Mathura and Varanasi to calculate the time differences and accuracy of astronomical movement.
The instruments in the observatory of Jaipur
There are a total of 19 instruments in Jantar mantar of Jaipur. Each instrument is for different purposes and meticulously calculated. The present standard time zone of India is from the Allahabad city of Uttar Pardesh, which is now also known as Parayagraj. The sundial shadow fall on the marks on the marble plate. It shows the time of Jaipur city and each day, the local guides write the difference of time on a board. As you add with the local time to get the Indian standard time, which is really entertaining and knowledgeable.
The major instruments here is Samrat yantra that means the king instrument of all other instruments. The other instruments here Ram yantra. The divine God of Hindu religion is Ram and the yantra signify the instrument. While Disha signify the direction and chakra represents the revolving of earth to the sun. Rashiwalya means astronmical condition of of someone according to the birth, place and time. The Jaya Parkash Yantra means Light instrument with the prefix Jaya represent the name of Sawai Jay Singh II. The mishra means the mix of many different instruments at one place which is little bit complex to understand.
While in Jaipur there are many other attractions including the Jantar Mantar the observatory. These are Amer Fort with Elephant ride, once the capital of Kachhwaha Rajput clans and a UNESCO world heritage site . Here at Amer you can enjoy a royal entry on Elephant. The hawa Mahal or wind palace in the Jawahari Market of Jaipur. it is the landmark of Jaipur city. With Jantar mantar You can also enjoy the beauty of city palace or Chandra Mahal adjacent to it.
How to reach Jaipur of Rajasthan
how to reach Jaipur the famous city and capital of India. This is the largest city of Rajasthan according to its area that is around 204 km. From Delhi to Jaipur one can opt for Road transport. Or Air transport or Rail transport. With a distance of 260 km from Delhi, one can enjoy the different landscape during the travel by road.
Take a tourist vehicle and reach Jaipur in 5-6 hours by taking a tea break on midway. The Rail that connect the Jaipur from Delhi are many in different categories and routes. The Ajmer Shatabadi is one among the fastest train that connect Delhi to Jaipur.
Also there are Maharaja and Delux train services especially run for the tourists to explore many destinations. Many flights are also available depending upon the time and Airlines one can chose. The road transport is recommended as travelling without exploring the land is less meaningful.