Johari Bazaar
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The bustling Johari Bazaar in a July 2007 photograph. The beautiful haveli facades that once lined this street on both sides, are all but gone. The lampposts running through the center of the street adorn an image of the rising sun, a common symbol of the ruling dynasty. The original street was partially cobblestone and had broad sidewalks. The verandahs to shops were added later by Mirza Ismail, Diwan f Jaipur 1942-46. (click image to open large version) |
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A watercolor painting of Johari Bazaar by Shri Hamlet portrays an impressionistic view of the erstwhile havelis that lined the street on both sides (click image to open large version) |
| SOURCE: Interviews with Shri Vinod Joshi and the temple priest. |
Johari Bazaar was built along with the rest of the city around 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Originally, this main road connected the old city of Amber to the town of Sanganer, a major trading post. Hence, the gate at the entry of the bazaar was called the Sanganeri Gate.
From the outset, Jaipur had prospered quickly and become a major regional trading center. Jai Singh decided to build houses for all the important jagirdars of his state in the city, ordering them to send 10% of their income to Vidhyadhar annually. These jagirdars, business persons and government officials formed a large population of the city and there was thus a market for costlier luxuries. The term johari literally means jeweler and Johari Bazaar was and is home to jewelers, who likely served the needs of this affluent community.
The advent of the British brought about the influence of the western architecture. Maharaja Ram Singh the IInd modernized Jaipur adding gas lights throughout the city and its avenues. He also built the Ram Prakash Theatre which was based on the Victorian style of architecture (see later pages).
After independence, the Maharaja of Jaipur relinquished power to the government of India. The codes that regulated the building construction within the walled city, were effectively erased and the door to urban destruction opened. City residents, who had always relied on the Maharaja to provide order and civic services, were unprepared to take on the responsibility of maintaining their city, and it deteriorated steadily. Now, one can barely see remnants of the havelis of the jagirdars that at one time must have dotted the peripheries of Johari Bazaar.
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