JAIPUR: In the age of millennial pink, there’s perhaps no city more Instagram-friendly than Jaipur. But besides its cool hue, vibrant culture and lavish palaces, few know that it is also one of the first planned cities in India.

The credit for that goes to Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, and a relatively unknown

. Back in the 1700s, Amber, the then capital, was hit by a water shortage. Jai Singh II decided to build another capital 12 km away, and put quite some thought into it. He studied the city planning of several European cities to come up with a blueprint that keeps trade, commerce and topography in mind.

As chief architect, he roped in Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, then a junior auditor at Amber state, who designed and built the city on the concepts of 'shilp shastra’ and 'vastu shastra’.

The

is roughly divided into nine rectangular sectors with straight roads intersecting only at right angles. A massive wall encircles the city and nine city gates provide access from various directions. The city took four years to build and was completed in 1727.

Neekee Chaturvedi, associate professor of history, says the Walled City, popularly called Parkota, is quite unique. “The city is a confluence of the ancient Indian tradition of Vastu, medieval Mughal luxury and distinct idiom of Rajput chivalry. This creates a unique identity.”

Shaista Mahajabeen, a poet based in the walled city, is hopeful that city’s ethos which was neglected and under-rated will be highlighted now that it has world heritage status. “The heart and soul of Jaipur lies in its Walled City. Those living outside or settled in newly developed areas are unaware of the ethos of Jaipur. At least, they will now be introduced to the composite culture of the Parkota — our fairs, festivals, social relations, arts and culture,” said Mahajabeen.