Download About Rajasthan

Mother India, the vast Subcontinent constituting the world's largest democracy, an intriguingly complex religious and
cultural tapestry with her great mercantile classes, sprawling bureaucracies and exploding economy, remains one of
the most visually memorable and bewitching journeys ever.
Of all her states, Rajasthan is perhaps the most tribally diverse, artistically decorative, architecturally magnificent and
regal in India. It is impossible to experience and absorb in a single trip the magnitude of what India offers:
the incredible light, the austere and atmospheric landscapes of desert and ancient Aravali mountains, the romance of
Rajasthan’s heritage and chivalry, the hospitality and humour of the people whether from regal lineage or simple,
dignified desert-dwellers, and their arts and crafts.
Rajasthan
Area 342,236 km² (132,138 sq mi)
Capital Jaipur
Largest city Jaipur
Districts 32
Population approximately 58 million
Language(s) Hindi, Rajasthani
Gujarati is also spoken
Governor Shilendra Kumar Singh
Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje
Website: www.rajasthan.gov.in
Rājasthān is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. It encompasses most of the area of the large,
inhospitable Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert), which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its
border with Pakistan. The region borders Pakistan to the west, Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the
southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast and Punjab to the north. Rajasthan covers an area of 342,239
km² (132,139 mi²).
The state capital is Jaipur. Geographical features include the Thar Desert along north-western Rajasthan and the
termination of the Ghaggar River near the archeological ruins at Kalibanga, which are the oldest in the subcontinent
discovered so far.
One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu,
and its world-famous Dilwara Temples, a sacred pilgrimage for Jains. Eastern Rajasthan has two national tiger
reserves, Ranthambore and Sariska, as well as Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, famous for its bird life.
Rajasthan was formed on 30 March 1949, when all erstwhile princely states merged into India. The only difference
between erstwhile Rajputana and Rajasthan is that certain portions governed directly by the British Government, in
the former province of Ajmer-Merwara, were included. Portions lying geographically outside of Rajputana and
belonging to Tonk state were given to Madhya Pradesh.
History of Rajasthan
Rajasthan has a rich and colorful history making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Historical
traditions are that Rajputs, Nath, Jats, Bhils, Ahirs, Gujars, Meenas and some other tribes made a great contribution in
building the state of Rajasthan. All these tribes suffered great difficulties to protect their culture and the land.
Millionsof them were martyred for this land.
Rajasthan includes most of Rajputana, comprised of a number of Rajput kingdoms as well as Jat kingdoms and a
Muslim kingdom. The Jats were rulers in Bharatpur and Dholpur. Tonk was ruled by a Muslim Nawab. Jodhpur,
Bikaner, Udaipur, and Jaipur were some of the main Rajput states. Rajput families rose to prominence in the 6th
century CE. The Rajputs resisted the Muslim incursions into India, although a number of Rajput kingdoms eventually
became subservient to the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire during those empires' peak of expansion.
The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur was built by Rao Jodha in 1498.Mewar led others in resistance to Muslim rule: Rana
Sanga fought the Battle of Khanua against Babur, the founder of the Mughal empire; and Maharana Pratap Singh
resisted Akbar in Haldighati. Other rulers like Raja Maan Singh of Amber were trusted allies. As the Mughal Empire
weakened, the Rajputs reasserted their independence. With the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century,
Rajputana came under attack from the Marathas and Pindaris, and the Maratha general Scindia captured Ajmer. The
Rajput kings concluded treaties with the British in the early 19th century, accepting British sovereignty in return for
local autonomy. Following the Mughal tradition as well as its strategic location Ajmer became a province of British
India, while the autonomous Rajput states, the Muslim state [Tonk]), and the Jat states (Bharatpur and Dholpur) were
organized into the Rajputana Agency.
Rajasthan's formerly independent kingdoms created a rich architectural and cultural heritage, seen today in their
numerous forts and palaces ( Mahals and Havelis) which are enriched by features of Hindu, Muslim and Jain
architecture.
Religion
Hinduism, the religion of most of the population, is generally practised through the worship of Brahma, Shiva,
Shakti, Vishnu, and other gods and goddesses. Nathdwara is an important religious centre for the Vallabhacharya sect
of Krishna followers. There are also followers of the Arya Samaj, a reforming sect of modern Hinduism, as well as
other forms of that religion.
Jainism is also important; it has not been the religion of the rulers of Rajasthan but has followers among the trading
class and the wealthy section of society. Mahavirji, Ranakpur, Dhulev, and Karera are the chief centres of Jain
pilgrimage.
The Dadupanthi forms another important religious sect the followers of Dadu (d. 1603), who preached the equality of
all men, strict vegetarianism, total abstinence from intoxicating liquor, and lifelong celibacy.
Islam, the religion of the State's second largest religious community, expanded in Rajasthan with the conquest of
Ajmer by Muslim invaders in the late twelfth century. Khwajah Muin-ud-Din Chishti, the Muslim missionary, had his
headquarters at Ajmer, and Muslim traders, craftsmen, and soldiers settled there. The State's population of Christians
and Sikhs is small.
A NOTE ABOUT INDIAN FOOD:
Many people only know Indian cuisine, incorrectly as (hot) curries, or by their experience of restaurant dishes that are
diluted, formulaic versions of North or South Indian cooking, and have rarely experienced or tasted the subtlety and
variety of Indian food that is determined by geography, religion and tradition.
The vast traditions of Indian cuisine has evolved over centuries and flourished under the many rulers that India had.
Chefs vied with one another to create exotic delicacies for their rajah's. The result is centuries of patronage to the art
of cooking and a large repertoire of delicious recipes
Geography
The Thar desert covers the western half of Rajasthan. The main geographic features of Rajasthan are the Thar Desert
and the Aravalli Range, which runs through the state from southwest to northeast, almost from one end to the other,
for more than 850 km. Mount Abu is at the southwestern end of the range, separated from the main ranges by the
West Banas River, although a series of broken ridges continues into Haryana in the direction of Delhi where it can be
seen as outcrops in the form of the Raisina Hill and the ridges farther north. 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. Most of the region is covered by the Thar Desert,
which extends into adjoining portions of Pakistan. The Aravalli Range intercepts the moisture-giving southwest
monsoon winds off the Arabian Sea, leaving the northwestern region in a rain shadow. The Thar Desert is thinly
populated; 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 receives less than 400 mm of rain in an
average year. Summer temperatures can exceed 45°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. This river is
saline in the lower reaches and remains potable only up to Balotara in Barmer district. 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 and is seen as a remnant of the primitive Saraswati River.
Culture
Rajasthan is culturally rich and has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life. There
is rich and varied folk culture from villages which is both fascinating and mesmerizing. Highly cultivated classical
music and dance with its own distinct style is part of the cultural tradition of Rajasthan. The music is of
uncomplicated innocence and songs depict day-to-day relationships and chores, more often focused around fetching
water from wells or ponds.
The Ghoomar dance from Udaipur and Kalbeliya dance of Jaisalmer have gained international recognition. Folk
music is a vital part of Rajasthani culture. Kathputali, Bhopa, Chang, Teratali, Ghindar, Kachchhighori, Tejaji etc. are
the examples of the traditional Rajasthani culture. Folk songs are commonly ballads which relate heroic deeds and
love stories; and religious or devotional songs known as bhajans and banis (often accompanied by musical
instruments like dholak, sitar, sarangi etc.) are also sung.