**Where is the Jandar Mantar Observatory Located?**
VerifiedExplanation:
The Jantar Mantar Observatory is located in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, India. This magnificent astronomical observatory was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II between 1728 and 1734 AD, making it one of the most important scientific monuments in India.
Jaipur's Jantar Mantar is the largest and best-preserved of the five astronomical observatories built by Jai Singh II. The other four observatories are located in Delhi, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura. However, the Jaipur observatory stands out due to its exceptional size and the remarkable state of preservation of its instruments.
The observatory houses a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments that were designed to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye. These instruments are built from local stone and marble, and each serves a specific purpose in astronomical calculations. The most famous instrument is the Samrat Yantra, which is essentially a giant sundial that can measure time accurate to within two seconds.
In recognition of its historical and scientific importance, the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. This recognition highlights its outstanding universal value as a testament to the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period.
Today, visitors from around the world come to Jaipur to witness this remarkable fusion of astronomy, astrology, and architecture. The observatory continues to serve as an important educational site, helping students and researchers understand ancient Indian astronomical practices and their relevance to modern science. The instruments are still functional and continue to provide accurate astronomical data, demonstrating the advanced scientific knowledge of 18th-century India.
