Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is a complete all season’s destination created in pink stone. Jaipur derives its name from Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a prince, a soldier, and an astronomer, who built the city in 1727 in accordance with Shilpa Shastra, the ancient Hindu tradition on architecture. Being the seeker of knowledge, he had already acquired some rare books, maps and scientific instruments brought from abroad. Through his contacts with Surat, he heard of the Jesuits of Portugal some of whom were very learned and knowledgeable in the very subjects in which he was interested. The Jesuits heard of his need and did not want to neglect the possibilities of evangelizing a new mission and so started negotiations.

Fr. Emmanuel de Figuredo, the Jesuit superior of the Mughal mission was approached by messengers of Jai Singh. The Maharaja requested that the missionaries be sent immediately. Fr. Figuredo considered the matter so important that he himself went to Portugal in order to purchase books on astronomy and other rare books. He arrived at Jaipur in 1728. With him came a medical man, who was also an expert in astronomy. This man, Pedro D’ Silva became a leading figure in the future of Jaipur mission. A few years later Fr. Figuredo left Jaipur for good but Pedro D’ Silva decided to stay on. With him were some other Jesuits.

In his quest for more knowledge on astronomy, Maharaja Jai Singh wrote to Rome seeking further mission. This time Rome sent two Bavarian Fathers, Stroli and Gabelsperger, who arrived in Jaipur on March 4, 1740. Despite the Raja’s care and concern Gabelsperger died in 1741 and was buried in Agra. Stroli and Pedro D’ Silva continued to work for Maharaja. Sawai Jai Singh passed away in 1743.

The first catholic family that resided at Jaipur was that of Pedro D’ Silva and another family is of the Alexanders. The first Baptism recorded in Rajasthan is that of Theresa aged 2 years and 5 days, on 5th January 1790. The first marriage recorded in Jaipur was that of Anna and Francis Xavier, the son of Peter D’ Silva, on 23rd February 1783.

Following the tradition of their great ancestor Sawai Jai Singh, the Maharajas of Jaipur seem to have been fair and generous in their treatment of Christians. The Catholic Church must acknowledge the generosity of the State- the gift of the land and the generous contribution for the construction of Sacred Hearts Church at Ghat Gate in 1871.

The Church at Ghat Gate received a significant visitor in the person Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Prince and heir to the throne of Austria. On his visit to Jaipur he insisted on attending Sunday Mass. The Maharaja sent workers to repair, whitewash and repaint the Church. The Archduke was received at the Church by the Prefect Apostolic, Very Rev Fr. Bertram. The Duke donated Rs. 200 for the mission.

It was only in 1883 that Fr. Conrad O.F.M. Cap. can be said to be the first resident priest of Jaipur. In 1890 Rajputana and Malwa Missions were created separating them from Agra Diocese and in 1891 this new mission was made into an Apostolic Prefecture, appointing Fr. Bertram OFM Cap., as the first Prefect of the new Prefecture. To start with they had five priests and five stations namely Bandikui, Nasirabad, Jaipur, Neemuch and Mhow.

In 1913 the Apostolic Prefect, Rt. Rev. Fortunatus Henry Caumont OFM Cap, was appointed the first Bishop of Ajmer. In 1931 Bishop Pius and in 1939 Bishop Guido were appointed Bishops. In 1949 the Diocese was handed over to the Diocesan clergy and Most Rev. Leo D' Mello was appointed the first Indian Bishop. In 1955 the name of the Diocese was changed to Diocese of Ajmer-Jaipur. Most Rev. Ignatius Menezes was appointed Bishop of Ajmer - Jaipur in 1979.

By the Apostolic Constitution "Evangelium Studium" (Devotion for the Gospel) of July 20, 2005, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, erected the new diocese of Jaipur, consisting of 12 civil districts of Rajasthan, namely Alwar, Bikaner, Churu, Dausa, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Nagaur, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, and Sri Ganganagar. The diocese of Jaipur was erected with the territory carved out from the diocese of Ajmer-Jaipur, making it a suffragan of the Province of Agra Archdiocese. On the same day, by another Papal Bull, the Holy Father Benedict XVI appointed Most Rev. Oswald Lewis, Coadjutor Bishop of Meerut as the First Bishop of the Diocese of Jaipur.

The Installation ceremony was held in Jaipur on August 28th, 2005. The Apostolic Nuncio, His Grace Pedro Lopez Quintana installed Most Rev. Oswald Lewis as the first Bishop of Jaipur diocese. The diocese has expanded its mission and opened new Parishes, mission stations and schools in places like: Lalarpura, Phulera, Madrampura Sawai Madhapur, Bagrana, Mahua, Hindaun City, Kuchaman City, Nevta, Choumu and Makrana.

On 22nd April, 2023 His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Very Rev. Msgr. Joseph Kallarackal (59) as the Bishop of Jaipur and accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Oswald Lewis (79) Bishop of Jaipur from the pastoral care of the diocese. This appointment was made public on Saturday, 22nd April,2023.

Msgr. Joseph Kallarackal was born on 10 December 1964 at Anavilasam, in the Eparchy of Kanjirapally, Kerala, and was ordained priest on 2 January 1997 for the Diocese of Ajmer. From 1989 to 1997 he studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, in the Diocese of Allahabad. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Allahabad University, Allahabad; he has a Master of Arts in Political Science from MDS University, Ajmer; he also obtained a Bachelor of Education from Ponda, GVMS, Goa.

After his ordination, from 1997 to 2000, he was Vice-Rector of St. Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Ajmer. From 2000 to 2003 he was Parish Priest and Manager, St. Anselm’s School, Nagaur. From 2003 to 2004 he did his studies for B.Ed. in Goa; from 2004 to 2007 he was Dean and Parish Priest at St. Teresa’s Church, Jodphur; from 2007 to 2013 he was the Rector of the Minor Seminary, Ajmer; from 2013 to 2015 he was Parish Priest, Principal and Manager at St. Paul’s School, Falna; from 2015 to 2016 he was Parish Priest, Principal and Manager, at St. Paul’s School, Pali. From 2016 to 2021 he was Rector of St. Theresa‘s Minor Seminary, Ajmer. From 2021 he is Dean and Parish Priest, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Ajmer.

On 16th July, 2023 Rev. Msgr. Joseph Kallarackal was solemnly ordained as Bishop of Jaipur. The diocese of Jaipur was blessed to have His Excellency Most. Rev. Leopoldo Girelli and several Archbishops, Bishops, Fathers, Sisters, and Lay people from three dioceses.