In the 1720’s, Maharaja Jai Singh II moved¬†the capital of Rajasthan¬†to Jaipur. ¬†He wanted to make sure however, that his new capital would have sufficient instruments to measure time and determine astrological signs. ¬†He sent his team of scientists and astronomers throughout Europe to learn how to improve the common sundial, and when they returned, the Jantar Mantar (translated to calculation instrument) was constructed. ¬†The observatory has withstood the test of time and is still so accurate that it is still used for teaching and making calculations.




