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Jaipur Nama: Tales From The Pink City
Jaipur Nama is the story of one of India's most fascinating cities, as seen through the eyes of both its residents and its visitors, who witnessed and recorded different moments in Jaipur's history between the 18th and 20th centuries.
The triumph, follies and foibles of its rulers, the passions and drama of palace intrigues, the splendor of royal rites and entertainments, and the bustle and energy of tis bazaars and ateliers, all come to life through the vivid and detailed accounts of chroniclers as diverse as an Austrian Jesuit, a French naturalist, a court priest, a city merchant and a pilgrim from Banaras. Many of these accounts are here translated into English for the first time. Each reflects a different aspect of Jaipur, together creating a captivating, kaleidoscopic portrait of the Pink City.
Linking these narratives are the observations, experiences and perceptions of the author, Giles Tillotson, who skillfully weaves the past into the present as he writes about the personalities who shaped the character of the city, the wonders of its architectures, and the development of its superb arts and crafts.
Entertaining as well as scholarly, Jaipur Nama will appeal to a wide readership. For those who know Jaipur or plan to go there, this book will sharpen and enrich their experience of the city, while armchair travelers will find it a delightfully witty and knowledgeable companion.
The triumph, follies and foibles of its rulers, the passions and drama of palace intrigues, the splendor of royal rites and entertainments, and the bustle and energy of tis bazaars and ateliers, all come to life through the vivid and detailed accounts of chroniclers as diverse as an Austrian Jesuit, a French naturalist, a court priest, a city merchant and a pilgrim from Banaras. Many of these accounts are here translated into English for the first time. Each reflects a different aspect of Jaipur, together creating a captivating, kaleidoscopic portrait of the Pink City.
Linking these narratives are the observations, experiences and perceptions of the author, Giles Tillotson, who skillfully weaves the past into the present as he writes about the personalities who shaped the character of the city, the wonders of its architectures, and the development of its superb arts and crafts.
Entertaining as well as scholarly, Jaipur Nama will appeal to a wide readership. For those who know Jaipur or plan to go there, this book will sharpen and enrich their experience of the city, while armchair travelers will find it a delightfully witty and knowledgeable companion.
280 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2007
About the author
Giles Tillotson
24 books9 followersGiles Tillotson is a writer and lecturer on Indian architecture, art and history. A prolific author, he also works in museum and academic management, in higher education and research, in publishing and in travel.
With family roots in Dorset in the UK, he was educated at Trinity College Cambridge, where he read Philosophy, History of Art and Oriental Studies. On completing his PhD, he was elected a Research Fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge (1986-90). He then taught for fourteen years at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where he became Reader in History of Art, and Chair of Art & Archaeology. He is also a Fellow (and former Director) of the Royal Asiatic Society, London.
His areas of special expertise include: the history and architecture of the Rajput courts of Rajasthan, and of the Mughal cities of Delhi and Agra; Indian architecture in the period of British rule and after Independence; and landscape painting in India. He first visited India in 1979 and returned frequently before settling in the country in 2004. He now lives in Gurgaon near Delhi. He is married to the architect and designer Vibhuti Sachdev.
In recent years he has given lectures and informal talks to individual travellers and to visiting groups from institutions including the Guggenheim Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale alumni, Yale School of Architecture, Princeton University, YPO and CEO.
With family roots in Dorset in the UK, he was educated at Trinity College Cambridge, where he read Philosophy, History of Art and Oriental Studies. On completing his PhD, he was elected a Research Fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge (1986-90). He then taught for fourteen years at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where he became Reader in History of Art, and Chair of Art & Archaeology. He is also a Fellow (and former Director) of the Royal Asiatic Society, London.
His areas of special expertise include: the history and architecture of the Rajput courts of Rajasthan, and of the Mughal cities of Delhi and Agra; Indian architecture in the period of British rule and after Independence; and landscape painting in India. He first visited India in 1979 and returned frequently before settling in the country in 2004. He now lives in Gurgaon near Delhi. He is married to the architect and designer Vibhuti Sachdev.
In recent years he has given lectures and informal talks to individual travellers and to visiting groups from institutions including the Guggenheim Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale alumni, Yale School of Architecture, Princeton University, YPO and CEO.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 12, 2024
From 1708-1949
Rich on kings political history less on the flavours of the city and palaces architecture.
Not what i was looking for.
So, simply visit jaipur and its highest jewel - Amer Fort(get a guide)and get Immersed in the grandeur of it, a fortress that stands as a testament to the opulence and resilience of Rajasthan. Feel and see through the lens of kings, queens, and their subjects centuries ago.
Rich on kings political history less on the flavours of the city and palaces architecture.
Not what i was looking for.
So, simply visit jaipur and its highest jewel - Amer Fort(get a guide)and get Immersed in the grandeur of it, a fortress that stands as a testament to the opulence and resilience of Rajasthan. Feel and see through the lens of kings, queens, and their subjects centuries ago.
April 11, 2022
Not as helpful as I’d hoped for my travels, a bit too dense on history of kings, less on the flavor of the city, but glad to have read nonetheless.
January 5, 2010
A pretty good political history of the rajas of Jaipur, from 18th c to Independence, mostly as seen through the eyes of European travelers passing through.
KEY THEMES:
a) Jaipur has always been traditional and modern at the same time. (Probably positioning itself as a "traditional Hindu kingdom" as against the Mughals and the British simultaneously had something to do with it).
b) Tillotson reminisces about the 'good ol' days'.
c) Tillotson really likes art and architecture, man oh man.
KEY THEMES:
a) Jaipur has always been traditional and modern at the same time. (Probably positioning itself as a "traditional Hindu kingdom" as against the Mughals and the British simultaneously had something to do with it).
b) Tillotson reminisces about the 'good ol' days'.
c) Tillotson really likes art and architecture, man oh man.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews