ROAD TO JAIPUR A vital hub for commerce since the 18th century, Jaipur has blossomed into a majestic world-class destination on the top of everybody’s travel hotlist

A vital hub for commerce since the 18th century, Jaipur has blossomed into a majestic world-class destination topping everybody’s travel hotlist.

There is nothing quite like the moment a peacock fans its feathers. One hundred and fifty eyes in azure, emerald and teal all rising up in colourful and dramatic demonstration. It is intended to be a display of intimidation — however, it fails miserably. Still, we are enchanted, mesmerised and willing that the moment will last. If Jaipur, the capital of India’s north-western region of Rajasthan, were an animal, it would be a peacock with its feathers on full display. Known as the Pink City for its dusty citywide hue, this home to three million people some 270km from New Delhi has historically been a draw because of its gems, craft, textiles and monuments. But in the 21st century, Jaipur seems to have taken on, and revelled in, a strutting confidence, to become a boom town increasingly on the map of style-setting travellers. With new hotels and bars shaking up the historic scene a globally renowned literary festival shopping l “Jaipur is impossibly romantic,” says Fiona Caulfield, author of Love Jaipur, Rajasthan and an Australian who fell in love with India and this city 16 years ago. “The skyline is dotted with majestic palaces and forts, and within the pink walls of the old city are bazaars that surge with people enjoying the best shopping in India.” Founded in 1727, Jaipur was designed for commerce, and its early authorities lured the finest artisans in India (arguably the world’s best at the time) to set up shop. Many of their descendants remain and continue to practise time-honoured crafts such as stonemasonry, copper welding, textile design and ornate jewellery making. This bedrock of quality, skill and inimitable Indian style has also lured foreign and domestic designers to the city to collaborate with local artisans. It’s not too much of a stretch to declare that what Milan is to design and Paris is to couture, Jaipur is to craftsmanship. And the global desire for, and appreciation of, quality and true handiwork in the luxury fashion, interiors and jewellery industries means that more and more of us are discovering the many roads leading to it. ››