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ISBN 81-82909-051-4 For Centuries, tales of the heoric Rajputs and their exploits have drawn curious travellers to the medieval townships of Rajasthan. The first in a series of seven volumes dedicated to the Rajput settlements sprawled across the Aravalli hills and the Thar Desert, "Priencly Terrain : Amber, Jaipur, and Shekhawati" focus on the Kachchwaha Rajput clans and their kingdome, Dhoondhar. Authored by various eminent scholars and architecs, the essays featured in this volume encompass the evaluation of the Kachchwaha architectural idiom, the creation of the capital at Jaipur and the impact that it in turn had on later architecture of the region. The First section of this book, "Before Jaipur", begins with the Ghat Ki Guni - located on the Jaipur-Agra Highway, this little known area served as the gateway to the Dhoondhar Empire. Also discussed is the foundation of the Doondhar Empire and their first capital at Amber. Replete with anecdots about the founders of the empire, their ambitions, achivements and contributions in thte Mughal era, this section provides a glimpse into early history of Kachchwaha rule. Echoing the shift of the Kachchwaha captal from Amber to jaipur, the secoond section moves from Aravallis to the plains at its base. Featured here are essays about the conception and design of Jaipur by the then rulers, Sawai Jai Singh II. In addition to its famed palaces and havelis, this 18 century capital is also distinguished by its esceptionally astute town planning. In the light of existent controversies regarding the influence of architectural treatise such as the Vasthushastra in the town`s design, this section reinterprets the genesis of Jaipur and charts its subsequent development. An article has also been devoted to Gaitor- a Memorial to the glory of the Kachchwaha rulers, the site is renown for its intricately carved chhatris, each of which is dedicated to a particular ruler. The final section examines the post Jaipur scenario a period when Jaipur had come to be landmark in town planning and a source of inspiration in the nearby towns ofo Shekhawati. Also included are essays analysing the continuing applicability of Jaipur`s plan form viz. its translation into contemporary settlement of Vidyadharnagar, and finally the pressing need for conservation efforts directed at historic settlements such as Amber and Jaipur. Together, the various essays presents a cohesive biopgraphy of the cites of the kachchwala - beginning with the origin and ending with their present avatars.
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