The Pink City

Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, India

February , 12, 2019 -

“There is a Rajasthani proverb that asks, ‘Je na dekhyo Jaipario, To kal men akar kya kario?’ (“What have I accomplished in my life, if I have not seen Jaipur?”).” - Fodor’s Essential India “Imodium is a GREAT drug” - Glenn Dobbs

In 1876 Queen Victoria was 57 years old and was barely 5 feet tall. Dressed perpetually in black since the death of her husband Albert 15 years earlier she almost never traveled. But she was also Empress of India and the British had suppressed a revolt here a few years earlier. Parliament felt it would be helpful if her ‘subjects’ of the Empire’s biggest prize could see her

She took with her Edward Albert, the Prince of Wales, who was 35 at the time. Victoria secretly blamed Edward for the death of her beloved Albert. Edward was a well known philanderer and Albert was traveling to confront him about his behavior when he became ill. Albert died of Typhoid Fever.

Part of the Queen’s itinerary would bring her here to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The local Maharaja (Rajput King - See earlier post) wanted her to feel welcome. So pink is the color of hospitality in India and he ordered every building painted pink.

When the Prince saw it he reportedly was delighted and exclaimed , “Look Ma ma, a pink city!” Jaipur has been the ‘Pink City’ ever since.

The picture above is the Hawa Mahal. It was a palace for noble ladies so they could look out on everyday life without being observed.

I think the color is more salmon than pink but who am I to argue with the Prince of Wales? I suppose “The Salmon City” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.

Another one of Colleen's requests for a selfie. I love how casual she acts here. As if to say, "Again? Oh all right."

This is an astronomical observatory set up by one of the Raj rulers who was fascinated with the subject -