About Rajasthan

Rajasthan Tourism

History Of Rajasthan

Rajasthan as its name suggest "raja+sthan" means land of kings known as "Rajputana" before Indipendence of India(1947), is spread in 342,239 Sq.Km area is the largest state in India in terms of Area i.e 10.4% of its total Area.Rajasthan is located in the western side of India along with pakistan border.The Rajasthan is famous for Aravali Pravat mala(series of mountains) and its Thar Marusthal(desert).

The Rajasthan state is formed on 30 march 1949 when Rajputana-the name adopted by the Britsh Raj for its dependencies in the region-was merged into the Domanion of India.Its capital and largest city is Jaipur,i.e capital city of Rajasthan.Modern Rajasthan includes most of Rajputana, which comprises the erstwhile 19 princely states, two chiefships and the British district of Ajmer-Merwara. Marwar (Jodhpur), Bikaner, Mewar (Udaipur), Alwar and Dhundhar (Jaipur) were some of the main Rajput princely states. Bharatpur and Dholpur were Jat princely states whereas Tonk was princely state under a Muslim Nawab. Rajput families rose to prominence in the 6th century CE. The Rajputs put up a valiant resistance to the Islamic invasions and protected this land with their warfare and chivalry for more than 500 years. They also resisted Mughal incursions into India and thus contributed to their slower-than-anticipated access to the Indian Subcontinent. Later the Mughals, through a combination of treachery and skilled warfare, were able to get a firm grip on northern India, including Rajasthan. Mewar led other kingdoms in its resistance to outside rule. Most notably Rana Sanga fought the Battle of Khanua against Babur, the founder of the Mughal empire.

Maharana Pratap of Mewar resisted Akbar in the famous Battle of Haldighati (1576) and later operated from hilly areas of his kingdom. Bhils were Maharana's main allies during these wars. Most of these attacks were repulsed even though the Mughal forces outnumbered Mewar Rajputs in all the wars fought between them. The Haldighati war was fought between 10,000 Mewaris and a 100,000-strong Mughal force (including many Rajputs like Kachwahas from Dhundhar).

Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, the Hindu Emperor, also known as Hemu in the history of India was born in the village of Machheri in Alwar District in 1501. He won 22 battles against Afghans, from Punjab to Bengal and defeated Akbar's forces twice at Agra and Delhi in 1556, before acceeding to the throne of Delhi and establishing 'Hindu Raj' in North India, albeit for a short duration, from Purana Quila in Delhi. He was killed in the Second Battle of Panipat.)

The Boundaries of Rajasthan State are covered by Gujarat in southeast,Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast,and Punjab to the north.Its features include the ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization at Kalibanga,the Dilwara jain Temples of mount Abu in eastern Rajasthan,the kevladevi national park in Bharatpur famous for its birds varieties.Rajasthan is also great place for tiger lovers the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Ranthambore National park is famous for Tigers, and its natural vegetations.

Peoples and Tradition of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is famous for its Tradition,traditionally the Rajputs,Rajpurohits,Charans,Jats,Yadavs,Bishnois,gurjars,meenas and bhils and other tribal castes made a great contribution in building the state of Rajasthan.All these tribes suffered great difficulties in protecting their culture and land.

The Rajputs claim to be descendent of the Kshatriyas of the vedic period of India. Their ancestry has been divided into two main branches, the Suryavansa (race of he sun) and Induvansa (race of the moon). The former claim their descent from Lord Rama and the latter from Lord Krishna. A third branch was added later, the Agnikula or those that descended from the sacrificial fire.

Dynasties like the Sisodias of Mewar, the Kachhwahas of Ambar, the Rathores of Marwar, the Haddas of Jhalawar, Kota and Bundi, the Bhatis of Jaisalmer, the Shekhawats of Shekhawati and the Chauhans of Ajmer form part of the Rajput clan.

During the ancient period of India history the Rajputs maintained their independent status. Even the great emperors of the Mauryan period did not interfere in Rajput affairs. The Rajput came into greater prominence in the political life of India during the period of decline and disintegration of the Gupta empire.

Around 12th century Ad the Rajputs occupied vast territories including present day Jaipur, Ranthambore, Mewar, part of Bundi, Ajmer, Kishangarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and even, at one time, Delhi. The Branches of the Chauhans ruled territories known as Ananta (in present day Shekhawati) and Saptasatabhumi.

These Rajput kingdoms come into conflict with Muslim invaders at different stages of their evolution some of them lost their independence while others held against the enemies. The Muslim invaders as also those who established their rule in India realized that the Rajputs, universally known for their valour, courage and martial spirit would not easily be subdued by military might alone.

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