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Rajasthan
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Rajasthan Information
Rajasthan Information
Situated on the western part of India,
Rajasthan has a mystical and timeless appeal that is the envy of the modern
world. Several Rajput dynasties have left their impression on the landscape,
creating what today must rank as one of the most stunning sightseeing destinations
of the world. Here history legends, myth and folklore all combine together to
make Rajasthan a place, which defies description.
It can be said with absolute certainty that Rajasthan is the most alluring and
exotic among the Indian states. Predominantly a desert state, the terrain springs
a lot of surprises. From Semi-tropical greenery of Ranthambore to the sandcastle
city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan is more than a destination; it is a state of mind.
HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN :
Rajasthan
occupies a place of pride in the history of India since the pre-historic period.
The area where the state is presently located is home to some of the famous
Indus Valley sites, notable among the being Kali Bangan. Many others are waiting
to be discovered.
That Rajasthan formed part the Great Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC, is
attested by the presence of the Rock Edict of Asoka at Bairat, forty-two miles
northeast of Jaipur.
However Rajasthan come to the center stage of history in the seventh century
AD. The turbulent history of Rajasthan, characterized by supremacy among the
different Rajput clans, courtly intrigues and inter-state warfare, begins
in the sixth and seventh centuries AD, to which is ascribed the origin of
the Rajputs.
Noted for their chivalry, these Rajput clans fought among themselves. Their
heroics found fullest expression in the famous battles such as Battles of
Tarain. The First Battle of Tarain witnessed a fierce battle between the Chauhans,
the ruling power of Delhi and Ajmer, and the army of Muhammad Ghori. Muhammad
Ghori has to acquiesce in to the chivalry of the Rajputs. However, the Second
Battle proved to be a nemesis of the Chauhan power and as a result Muslim
rule was started in India.
Though the Muslim power took control of almost whole of India at some time
or another, Rajputana (former name of Rajasthan) offered stiff resistance
to the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Power all throughout the period. Some
of the enlightened Mughals such as Akbar adopted a policy of reconciliation
towards the Rajputs, which found expression the marriage alliances between
the Mughlas and the Rajputs. Akbar himself married Rani Jodha Bai, a princess
from the Kuchwaha family of Amber. Man Singh, one of the greatest generals
of the medieval period entered the court of Akbar and held in high esteem.
Rajasthan had never been a political entity until its subjugation by the
Mughal Emperor - Akbar. However as said earlier Akbar was wise enough to understand
the amicable relations with the Rajputs. He never interfered with the internal
affairs of the ruling states. But with the decline of the Mughal Empire, the
disintegration of Rajasthan was also a forgone conclusion. The decline of
the Mughlas paved the way for a resurgent Marathas. They occupied Ajmer in
1755.
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.
At the time of independence the erstwhile province of Rajputana comprised 19
princely states and all of these merged to form the present state of Rajasthan.
