Jantar Mantar was built by the ruler of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.
Jantar Mantar of Delhi is very much in discussion. Jantar Mantar is now known more as a place of protest, but its real identity is much bigger than this. This is an old astronomical observatory. Here, time, position of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars were measured through large instruments made of stone, lime and bricks. Five such observatories were built in the country.
Come, let us know under the pretext of protest by the Cockroach Janata Party, where else in the country apart from Delhi, these observatories were built? Who got it made and why? What is their importance today?
Who built Jantar Mantar?
These observatories were built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amer and Jaipur. He was not just a ruler. He had a keen interest in mathematics, astrology and astronomy. There were many errors in the tables prevalent at that time for astronomical calculations. There used to be differences in the time, position of planets and calculations of the calendar. This created confusion regarding the dates of festivals, eclipses and auspicious times.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.
Sawai Jai Singh II tried to make these calculations more accurate. Instead of small metal instruments, he made huge permanent instruments. These instruments were kept under the open sky. Their design was such that the Sun’s shadow, angle and position of celestial bodies could be seen and measured. The word Jantar Mantar also refers to this work. It is believed to be made of yantra and mantra. Yantra i.e. equipment. Mantra is taken to mean calculation or thought. In simple language, Jantar Mantar is a complex of instruments for astronomical calculations.
Where in the country were Jantar Mantar built?
Sawai Jai Singh II chose five cities for their construction. Each of these cities had its own geographical, political or scientific importance.
1- Jantar Mantar of Delhi
Jantar Mantar of Delhi was built around 1724. It was located in the capital. Therefore the calculations here also had administrative and political importance. Major instruments like Samrat Yantra, Jaiprakash Yantra, Ram Yantra and Mishra Yantra were made here. Samrat Yantra is a huge sundial. Local time was determined by seeing its shadow. The position of celestial bodies was studied using the Jaiprakash instrument. Ram Yantra helped in measuring direction and height.
Delhi Jantar Mantar.
Today, Jantar Mantar of Delhi is a protected historical monument and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The city has changed a lot around it. Yet this complex is a reminder of India’s scientific heritage. It has also developed a distinct modern identity. Jantar Mantar Marg and the surrounding area are known for democratic protests.
2- Jantar Mantar of Jaipur
Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is the largest and best preserved. It was constructed between 1728 and 1734. This is considered to be the grandest example of the scientific vision of Sawai Jai Singh II. Many big astronomical instruments are present here. Among these, Samrat Yantra is the most famous. It is counted among the largest stone sundials in the world. It was helpful in telling time as well as calculating the position of the Sun and other astronomical angles. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is not just a monument.
Jantar Mantar of Jaipur.
It is a confluence of architecture, mathematics and astronomy. Considering its global importance, it has got the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is a center of attraction for tourists, students, researchers and history lovers.
3- Jantar Mantar of Ujjain
Ujjain has been a major center of Indian astronomy since ancient times. Ujjain was considered to have a special place in Indian time calculation and longitude determination. This was the reason why Sawai Jai Singh II built an observatory here also. Jantar Mantar of Ujjain is also called Observatory. The positions of the Sun, Moon and planets were observed with the instruments made here. It was also used in determining time. Today the observatory of Ujjain exists in a preserved form. People coming here can see the old instruments. This place tells how much importance astronomy had in the Indian knowledge tradition.
Jantar Mantar of Ujjain is also called Observatory.
4- Jantar Mantar of Varanasi
Jantar Mantar of Varanasi is located in the Man Mandir area near the banks of Ganga. It was constructed in the 1730s. This observatory was built on the roof of a palace and its surrounding areas. Varanasi was a big center of religion, education and learning at that time. Here the calendar, movement of planets and calculation of time had special importance.
Jantar Mantar of Varanasi.
Jantar Mantar helped in making this work more organized. Today the observatory of Varanasi exists, but its condition does not look as grand and open as the observatory of Jaipur. It is limited in its historical setting. Nevertheless, this is an important evidence of India’s old scientific tradition.
5- Jantar Mantar of Mathura
Sawai Jai Singh II had also built Jantar Mantar in Mathura. It was included in the five observatories, but it was destroyed over time. Today, no clear remains of its original instruments and premises are found. Jantar Mantar of Mathura reminds us of how important it is to save heritage. If there is no maintenance, even great signs of science and history may disappear.
Why is Jantar Mantar important?
Jantar Mantar is a strong evidence of India’s scientific thinking. This shows that even about three hundred years ago, serious efforts were being made to understand astronomical events. At that time there were neither computers, nor satellites, nor modern telescopes. Still, big and useful instruments were made with the help of mathematics and geometry. These observatories were used to know the time, measure the positions of the planets, improve almanacs and prepare astronomical tables.
He was also important in the study of events like solar eclipse and lunar eclipse. They also have a cultural significance. In Indian society, time, seasons, farming, festivals and religious dates were deeply related to astronomical calculations, hence Jantar Mantar were not just buildings of science. He was also associated with society and way of life.
What is their need in today’s times?
Today there are watches, mobiles and GPS to know the time. There are satellites and powerful telescopes for planetary information, so the practical use of Jantar Mantar is not the same as before. But their historical and educational importance is very great. These monuments tell the new generation that science is not only the gift of the modern era. India has a rich tradition of mathematics, architecture and astronomy. Jantar Mantar is a living document of that tradition. The disappearance of Mathura is also a warning. It is necessary to keep the observatories of Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain and Varanasi safe. These should not only be seen as tourist destinations but also as scientific heritage.
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