What Is India News Service
Saturday, April 14, 2007

The Indian Analyst

  Editorials

  Inscriptions

  Opinions

  University Research

  Arts, Culture, Heritage

  Democracy

  Economy

  Environment

  Government

  Neighbors

  Organizations 

  Personalities

  Places

  Relations

  Religions

  Security

  States

  Terrorism

  More Topics

  Archives

  Links

  Search

  About Us

  Feedback

  Guestbook

General Information

Rajasthan is a vibrant, exotic state where tradition and royal glory meet in a riot of colors against the vast backdrop of sand and desert. It has an unusual diversity in its entire forms- people, customs, culture, costumes, music, manners, dialects, cuisine and physiography. The land is endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palace havelis, rich culture and heritage, beauty and natural resources. It is a land rich in music, Dance, Art & Craft and Adventure, a land that never ceases to intrigue & enchant.  There is a haunting air of romance, about the state, which is palpable in its every nook and corner. This abode of kings is one of the most exotic locales for tourist world over.  The state has not only survived in all its ethnicity but owes its charisma and color to its enduring traditional way of life.

It is one of the 26 states that, along with seven union territories, form the republic of India.  So rich is the history of the land that every roadside village has its own tales of valor and sacrifice, the winds sing them and the sands shift to spread them.  Rajasthan is Spicy, but then, what is life after all without little bit of spice, Rajasthan provides abundant scope to explore it.

The panoramic outlook of the state is simply mesmerizing, with lofty hills of Aravali's - one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world and the golden sand dunes of the Great Indian Desert - the only desert of the sub-continent. No other region in the country is a conglomeration of so many paradoxes. It is a land of superlatives, everything over here is breathtakingly beautiful, impressive and fascinating! The state is well connected with other parts of the country and can be easily approached from Delhi and Bombay.  Fast trains, direct bus and air connections make travel easy and comfortable.

A visit to this wonderland will leave a lasting spell on your mind. In fact, one visit is not enough to capture the real essence of this magical land. You will, we assure you, keep coming back for more.

Location

Located in northwest India, Rajasthan is bounded north by Punjab, northeast by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, east by Madhya Pradesh, south by Gujarat and west by Pakistan. Rajasthan is the largest State of the Indian union in terms of its size.of its size.

Geography

The main geographic feature of Rajasthan is the Aravalli Range, which runs through the state from southwest to northeast, almost from end to end. Mount Abu is at the southwestern end of the range, and the northeastern end lies near Khetri in the Shekhawati region, although a series of broken ridges continues into Haryana in the direction of Delhi. About three-fifths of Rajasthan lies northwest of the Aravallis, leaving two-fifths on the east and south.

The northwestern portion of Rajasthan is generally sandy and dry, and most of the region is covered by the Thar Desert, which extends into adjoining portions of Pakistan. The Aravalli Ranges intercept the moisture-giving southwest monsoon winds off the Arabian Sea, leaving the northwestern region in a rain shadow. The Thar Desert is thinly populated, and the town of Bikaner is the largest city in the desert. The Northwestern thorn scrub forests lie in a band around the Thar Desert, between the desert and the Aravallis. This region recieves less than 750 mm of rain in an average year, and summer temperatures can exceed 45º C in the summer months, and drop below freezing in the winter. The Godwar, Marwar, and Shekhawati regions lie in the thorn scrub forest zone, along with the city of Jodhpur. The Luni River and its tributaries are the major river system of Godwar and Marwar Regions, draining the western slopes of the Aravallis and emptying southwest into the great Rann of Kutch wetland in neighboring Gujarat. The Ghaggar River, which originates in Haryana, is an intermittent stream that disappears into the sands of the Thar Desert in the northern corner of the state.

The Aravalli Range and the lands to the east and southeast of the range are generally more fertile and better watered. This region is home to the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion, with tropical dry broadleaf forests that include teak, Acacia, and other trees. The hilly Vagad region lies in southernmost Rajasthan, on the border with Gujarat. With the exception of Mount Abu, Vagad is the wettest region in Rajasthan, and the most heavily forested. North of Vagad lies the Mewar region, home to the cities of Udaipur and Chittaurgarh. The Hadoti region lies to the southeast, on the border with Madhya Pradesh. North of Hadoti and Mewar is the Dhundhar region, home to the state capital of Jaipur. Mewat, the easternmost region of Rajasthan, borders Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan is drained by the Banas and Chambal rivers, tributaries of the Ganges.

History

Rajasthan was previously known as Rajputana, the land of Rajputs whose history goes back to the pre-historic times. The Indus Valley Civilization also flourished here and many ruins of Harappan age have been located in the State. The legendary heroes of medieval ages like Rana Sanga and Maharana Pratap always inspire us with feelings of patriotism but during the 19th century, all Rajput States accepted the suzerainty of the British. 

Ancient Period, upto 1200 AD

Rajput clans emerged and held their sway over different parts of Rajasthan from about 700 AD.  Before that, Rajasthan was a part of several republics.  It was a part of the Mauryan Empire.  Other major republics that dominated this region include the Malavas, Arjunyas, Yaudhyas, Kushans, Saka Satraps, Guptas and Hunas.

The Rajput clans ascendancy in Indian history was during the period from the eighth to the twelfth century AD.  The Pratihars ruled Rajasthan and most of northern India during 750-1000 AD.  Between 1000-1200 AD, Rajasthan witnessed the struggle for supremacy between Chalukyas, Parmars and Chauhans.

Medieval Period, 1201 - 1707

Around 1200 AD a part of Rajasthan came under Muslim rulers.  The principal centers of their powers were Nagaur and Ajmer.  Ranthanbhor was also under their suzerainty.  At the beginning of the 13th century AD, the most prominent and powerful state of Rajasthan was Mewar.

Modern Period, 1707 - 1947

Rajasthan had never been united politically until its domination by Mughal Emperor - Akbar.  Akbar created a unified province of Rajasthan.  Mughal power started to decline after 1707.  The political disintegration of Rajasthan was caused by the dismemberment of the Mughal Empire.  The Marathas penetrated Rajasthan upon the decline of the Mughal Empire.  In 1755 they occupied Ajmer.  The beginning of the 19th Century was marked by the onslaught of the Pindaris.

In 1817-18 the British Government concluded treaties of alliance with almost all the states of Rajputana.  Thus began the British rule over Rajasthan, then called Rajputana.

Post Independence

The erstwhile Rajputana comprised 19 princely states and two chiefships of Lava and Kushalgarh and a British administered territory of Ajmer-Merwara.  Rajasthan State was heterogeneous conglomeration of separate political entities with different administrative systems prevailing in different places.  The present State of Rajasthan was formed after a long process of integration which began on March 17, 1948 and ended on November 1, 1956. Before integration it was called Rajputana; after integration it came to be known as Rajasthan. At present there are 32 districts (including the new district of Karauli), 105 sub-divisions, 241 tehsils, 37889 inhabited villages and 222 towns in the State.

References:

Manorama Year Book 2007

http://www.rajasthan.gov.in/

Home Page