Jantar Mantar:
Jantar Mantar is one of the remarkable astronomical observatories constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur. It was built in 1734. In 1996, it was recognized as the 37th World Heritage Site in India and the only one in Andhra Pradesh. It is reminiscent of the ancient "Sila Vathi" (built in the 12th century BC) in Babylon, which was used as a meeting place (for astronomical observations).
A Fascinating Story Behind Jantar Mantar:
The story of Jantar Mantar begins in the royal courts of 18th-century India. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Jaipur, was not just a king but also a passionate scholar of astronomy and mathematics. Once, during a discussion in the Mughal court, Emperor Muhammad Shah expressed his frustration that the astrologers and scholars of the time could not accurately determine auspicious dates for important royal events. The traditional astronomical tables, known as "Zij," often gave inconsistent results, leading to confusion and debate among the royal advisors.
Jai Singh, who was present at the court, took this challenge personally. He realized that the small brass instruments then in use were not precise enough for accurate observations. Inspired by the emperor’s concerns and his own scientific curiosity, Jai Singh resolved to build a new set of observatories with much larger and more accurate stone instruments. He sent scholars across the world to collect ancient astronomical texts and studied the works of astronomers from Greece, Persia, and Arabia.
With the support of Emperor Muhammad Shah, Jai Singh began constructing observatories in five cities: Jaipur, Delhi, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura. Among these, the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur became the largest and most sophisticated. The instruments at Jantar Mantar were so large that astronomers could walk inside and use them with the naked eye, measuring the positions of stars, planets, and even the time of day with remarkable accuracy.
One of the most impressive instruments is the Samrat Yantra, a giant sundial that can measure time to within two seconds. The observatory became a center for astronomical research, attracting scholars from across India and beyond. Jai Singh’s efforts led to the creation of new, more accurate astronomical tables, known as the Zij-i Muhammad Shahi, which were used throughout India for nearly a century.
Jantar Mantar stands today not only as a symbol of India’s scientific heritage but also as a testament to the vision and determination of a king who dared to look to the stars and bring the mysteries of the heavens closer to earth.