What am I looking at?
Jaipur district is a district in the state of Rajasthan in Northern India.
The quick answer
Jaipur district is a district in the state of Rajasthan in Northern India. The city of Jaipur, which is Rajasthan's capital and the largest city, is the district headquarters. It is the tenth most populous district in India (out of 780).
How it came to be
The district derives its name from its administrative headquarters, the city of Jaipur. The city was established in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1693–1744), the ruler of Amber, and named in his honour. In Sanskrit, the suffix "pur" or "pura" is commonly used to denote a city or town. Thus, the name "Jaipur" translates to "The City of Jai," commemorating its founder, Jai Singh II.
The detail most people miss
The district is located between 26°23' and 27°51' north latitude, and 74°55' and 76°50' east longitude. It covers an area of 11,143 square kilometres (4,302 sq mi), accounting for approximately 3.26% of the state's total area, and ranks 9th in size among the districts of the state. The district stretches about 180 kilometres (110 mi) from east to west, while its north to south length is approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi). It shares its northern boundary with the Sikar district and the state of Haryana. Towards the south, the district is bordered by Tonk district. On the eastern side, it is surrounded by Alwar, Dausa, and Sawai Madhopur districts, while to the west, it is flanked by Nagaur and Ajmer districts.
Why it still matters
The district is located on the eastern border of the Thar Desert and is largely covered with a thick layer of soil and alluvial deposits. The district is surrounded by the Aravali mountain range on three sides. Towards the north and east, the region is bordered by hill ranges and several isolated peaks, which rise about 200 metres (660 ft) above the surrounding plains. These hills form a part of the Aravali mountain range. At different locations within the district, these ranges are known by various local names. The hills originate from the area around Sambhar Lake and continue into Jhunjhunu district. In Jaipur tehsil, these are commonly called Puranaghat and Nahargarh. In the tehsils of Kotputli, Bairath, and Jamwa Ramgarh, the hills are referred to by names such as Ada Doongar, Chapa, Khan Rahori, Khan Dogota, Jaroonda, Khan Raipur, and Khan Badri. Additionally, the Torawati hills are situated to the west of the Sabi and Banganga rivers.
