Rajasthan Travels Guide

Rajput clans emerged and held their sway over different parts of from about 700 AD. Before that, 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 and most of northern India during 750-1000 AD. Between 1000-1200 AD, witnessed the struggle for supremacy between Chalukyas, Parmars and Chauhans.

Around 1200 AD a part of 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 was Mewar.

Rajasthan had never been united politically until its domination by Mughal Emperor - Akbar. Akbar created a unified province of . Mughal power started to decline after 1707. The political disintegration of was caused by the dismemberment of the Mughal Empire. The Marathas penetrated 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 , then called Rajputana.

The erstwhile Rajputana comprised 19 princely states and two chiefships of Lava and Kushalgarh and a British administered territory of Ajmer-Merwara. State was heterogeneous conglomeration of separate political entities with different administrative systems prevailing in different places. The present State of 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 . 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.

Rajasthan is the north-western region of India, and has remain independent from the great empires. Buddhism failed to make substantial inroad here; the Mauryan empire (321-184 BC), whose most renowned emperor, Ashoka, Converted to Buddhism in 261 BC, had minimal impact in , However, there are Buddhist caves and stupas (Buddhist Shrines) at Jhalawar, in Southern .

Ancient Hindu scriptural epics make reference to sites in present-day . The Holy Pilgrimage site of Pushkar is mentioned in both the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan :

Brij Festival : The Brij Festival takes place a few days before Holi, the festival of colours.

Desert Festival : Held in the months of January-February, the Desert Festival exudes a delightful spirit.

Gangaur Festival : The Gangaur Festival is the most important local festival of and is observed throughout the state.

Mewar Festival : The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur and has a unique charm about it.

Summer Festival : The Summer Festival is held every year in the month of Aashadh (June).

Teej Festival : Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of the monsoon month of Shravan (August).

Camel Festival : A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival is organised by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, in Bikaner every year.

Nagaur Fair : The quaint town of Nagaur, one of the most picturesque of Rajput townships, stirs to life during the Nagaur Fair.

Pushkar Fair : Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. to the north-west of Ajmer.

Ajmer Urs Fair : The lakeside city of Ajmer is located in central , and is held in great reverence by devotees of all communities

Tourist Attractions in Rajasthan :

Jaipur :
The capital of Rajasthan is around 258 km from Delhi and 232 km from Agra. The great warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II (1693-1743) laid the foundation of the city in 1627. He was one of the few kings of his time who had a scientific temper and was concerned about the welfare of his citizens. The city was well planned and had one of the best drinking water systems in the medieval world. Amer Fort, the Hawa Mahal and the royal observatory or Jantar Mantar are places worth visiting in Jaipur. The Gangaur and Teej festivals are colourfully celebrated in this city. Jaipur is also known for the fine handicraft, jewellery and textiles produced by skilled traditional craftsmen.

Jaisalmer :
Situated in the westernmost part of Rajasthan, in the heart of the great Thar Desert this city was founded by Bhatti Rajput Rawal Jaisal in 1156. The history of Jaisalmer also reveals the courage and determination of the Rajputs. The city used to be a major trade center as it was on the trade route from the West to India. The fort in Jaisalmer is called the Golden Fort because of the colour of the sandstone blocks of which it is made. The Fort, beautiful old havelis or mansions, the Jain temples and the sand dunes at Sam, where the sunset is spectacular, are all must-sees in Jaisalmer. The Desert Festival in winter is a popular tourist attraction.

Ajmer :
Located 130 km southwest of Jaipur, this city is famous as a place of pilgrimage. It houses the Dargah or tomb of the popular 13th-century, Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world throng Ajmer to attend the death anniversary of the great saint every year. The city also boasts of a number of monuments belonging to the Mughal era. The city is also known for its traditional handicrafts. It is flanked by the Ana Sagar Lake on one side and barren hills of the Aravali range on the other side.

Jodhpur :
Situated in the heart of Rajasthan this desert city is the capital of the Rathore clan. The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort set on a high hill overlooks the city. The grand Umaid Bhavan Palace and the Jaswant Thada are sights worth seeing on a tour of Jodhpur.

Bikaner :
Situated in the north of Rajasthan, Bikaner also has a glorious past with many tales of courage, endurance and valour. It was in 1488 that a Rathore Prince, Rao Bikaji (a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Rao Jodhaji), established his kingdom here. It has faced many foreign intrusions and fought a number of wars with the Mughals and the British. Sights to see include the Junagarh Fort, the Lalgarh Palace, the Kali temple, the Ganga Golden Jubilee museum and the Camel Research Farm. The camel festival held in the month of January is also an event worth witnessing.

Udaipur :
This city is named after Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodia dynasty. Legend has it that the Maharana was out hunting one day, when he met a holy man, meditating on a hill, overlooking Lake Pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and told him to built a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected. The Maharana followed his advice and Udaipur came into being. The most memorable parts of Udaipur are its lake palaces, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Overlooking the aquamarine waters of the Lake Pichola stands the shimmering granite and marble Lake Palace. Jag Niwas, the summer residence of the princes of Mewar, is today a magnificent luxury hotel. Jag Mandir, the other island palace, with a marble dome, is a marvel in red sandstone.

Pushkar Fair :
This holy town is set in a picturesque valley about 14 km from Ajmer. Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar forms a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair, held on the 11th day of the bright half of the moon around October/November. The devout believe that for five days in a year, all the gods revisit Pushkar and bless the worshippers. Pushkar Lake is also considered the most sacred lake in India. This accounts for the unbelievable number of devotees who flock to the lake to wash away their sins. The Brahma temple is the most important temple here and is, in fact, the only Brahma temple of India. The camel fair and its related events - races, sales and a camel beauty contest also attract large crowds.

Ranthambore Wildlife Reserve :
This famous wildlife reserve is situated near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota townships. It is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. The entire area has sprawling tracts of desert and semi-desert vegetation. Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park and was listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore Reserve. Visitors, who have come to this reserve to see tigers in the wild, include U.S. President Bill Clinton.