ANCHOR NEWS: MAHARAJA SAWAI JAI SINGH II WAS THE FOUNDER OF MODERN JAIPUR: HINGLAJ DAN RATNOO

(BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF JAIPUR’S FOUNDER MAHARAJA SAWAI JAI SINGH II CELEBRATED AT CITY PALACE)

TTT NEWS NETWORK

JAIPUR | 3 NOVEMBER  2025
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh (MSMS) II Museum organized a seminar and poetry recital on Monday at Sarvato Bhadra Chowk in City Palace. Scholars illuminated the contributions and personality of the great Maharaja, while poets from Rajasthan enriched the atmosphere with their verses in Dhundhari.

The event began with garlanding and offering floral tributes to the portrait of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Tourists visiting the City Palace also paid their respects by offering flowers at the portrait.

Opening Address:

The program commenced with a welcome speech by Mrs. Rama Datt, Executive Trustee of the MSMS II Museum. She urged everyone to draw inspiration from Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II’s life, noting that he was a pioneer of our rich cultural heritage and a social reformer who took steps to abolish several social evils.

Key Addresses by Scholars:

• Rajendra Singh Khangarot, former principal and senior litterateur, described Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as a multidimensional personality— a skilled warrior, architect, astrologer, thinker, and philosopher. He emphasized the need to take Jaipur beyond its walled city identity to an international platform through international collaborative research, suggesting the establishment of an International Research Centerin City Palace dedicated to the Maharaja.
• Jitendra Singh Shekhawat, senior writer and journalist, stated that Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II played a major role in driving out the Mughals from Indiaby uniting all Hindu rulers. He remarked, “Instead of Akbar being called ‘the Great,’ it is Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II who truly deserves that title.”
• Raghvendra Singh Manoharhighlighted that despite difficult circumstances, the Maharaja not only safeguarded Jaipur but also played a vital role in its expansion. He organized Ashwamedha Yajnasand was an exceptionally gifted individual who achieved excellence in every field of life.
• Govind Shankar Sharma, senior scholar, discussed the historical text “Vachan Praman”, considered one of the most authentic works from Jai Singh’s era. The book provides detailed insights into social reforms, royal traditions, and customs such as marriage ceremonies. Sharma also mentioned that the Maharaja personally conducted marriages of brides from various communities, promoting social harmony.
• Speaking on the occasion of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh’s birth anniversary, Hinglaj Dan Ratnoosaid that Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was the founder of modern Jaipur and a man of multifaceted personality. Referring to a couplet from Dingal literature —
  “Bhag bada to Ram bhaj, bakhat bada kachhu dey,
  Akal badi upkar kar, deh dharyan phal aih” —
  Ratnu said that the Maharaja was a true guardian of the people’s welfare.

Cultural & Organizational Highlights:

Ramu Ramdev, OSD (Art & Culture) and program coordinator at City Palace, spoke about the life of the great Maharaja, noting that he assumed the throne at a very young age and went on to establish a city that is now renowned across the world. The program was conducted by Shobha Chander.

To promote the Dhundhari language, the poetry recital featured prominent Rajasthani poets including Kalyan Singh Shekhawat, Shobha Chander, Vinay Sharma, Prahlad Chanchal, Bhagwan Sahay Pareek, Ved Prakash Dadhich (Jaipur), Hinglaj Dan Ratnoo (Bikaner), and Rao Shivraj Pal (Karauli). Through their poems, the poets beautifully depicted the traditions, culture, and history of Jaipur, leaving the audience deeply moved.