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RAKESH KUMAR
History of people who are courageous and courteous, and even as belligerent existing around them, the most incredible stories of romance and heroism originated on this land. History of Rajasthan tells about a certain enchantment that prevails through soil of Rajasthan and is radically distinctive from any other place on the globe. Everything about Rajasthan is exceptional - like breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and monuments, impressive and fascinating wildlife. The heritage of Rajasthan is packed with splendid history, magnificent art and colorful culture that goes centuries back.
The history of Rajasthan is nearly 5000 years old and the originating point of this vast land comes from the famous myth of Ramayana. It is supposed that Ram fired an arrow towards Lanka to blaze the island where his wife Sita was kidnapped and captivated. But the arrow, instead of reaching that land it moved towards sea, due to which water got evaporated and a dry land emerged which is now-a-day known as Rajasthan.
Rajasthan City Guide classifies history of Rajasthan into three different parts -
The historical era of Rajasthan goes back to 1300 AD. Rajasthan being division of the well-known Mauryan Empire was also a fraction of other empire like the Arjunyas, Hunas, Kushans, and Saka Satraps and so on. Archaeological findings have confirmed that Rajasthan was linked with the Harappan Civilization and the Indus Valley Civilization. The initial Rajput dynasty that comes in existence around 700 AD and since then Rajasthan was known as RAJPUTANA (Land of Rajputs).
Mid Era of Rajasthan saw internal conflicts within the Rajput clan and their struggle for domination among each other that ended in deterioration of the unity between them. In this era around 1200 AD, the major regions of Rajasthan such as Nagaur, Ajmer and Ranthambhore were taken by the Mughal great Mughal ruler- Akbar who took all authority in his hands from the Rajput rulers and forced his dominance either by making relations with them or by waging war against them. The most well-known Rajput warriors who symbolized the dynamism and valiance of the Rajput dynasty and whose tales of loyalty are still embossed in the heart of Rajasthan were Rana Uday Singh, his son Rana Pratap, Rana Kumbha, Bhappa Rawal, and Prithviraj Chauhan and others.
Modern Era of Rajasthan shows the termination of the Mughal’s around 1707, the rise of Maratha dominance in Northern India including Rajasthan and their rule over Ajmer in 1775. But, the Maratha superiority came to an end in late 17th century when the British colonial power took control over the state of Rajasthan. In 1817-18 the British determined coalition treaties with major number of states of Rajputana (currently known as Rajasthan). During Independence, the earlier Rajputana was consist nineteen significant states. And finally in 1956 the current dimensions of present day Rajasthan came into being.
Rajasthan covers 343,000 sq km and the most remarkable attribute of this land is its partition by the magnificent Aravalli range which moves from north-east to south-west for about 687 km. It symbolizes the strength of the state and splits it into two sections with totally diverse geographical characteristics.
North West of the Aravallis is magnificent Jodhpur, undiscovered Jaisalmer, beautiful Barmer and courteous Bikaner regions. It is the home of arid regions and the variable sad dunes of the great Thar desert. Covering an area of 196,150 Sq km, the foundation of Jodhpur fort “Mehrangarh” was laid by Rao Jodha in 1498. The hard solid earth here is layered by variable sand dunes and meagerly dotted with scrub and thorny babool. The level of water in this land is very low and has been for so many centuries. The Italian explorer Manucci, who once visited the land of Rajasthan in the 17th century, put his impression on record about the scarcity of water in some regions.
Then also, this land with its persistent covers of sand and arid desert is neither infertile nor isolated. Even, with the aridness scorching heat in the region, the colorless ambiance, the people here had filled their lives with spectacularly brilliant colors’. In fact, the colorfully dressed women against the barren milieus in one of the first and most long-lasting impressions that one may have to this state. Nothing really seems to faint their passion for living.
The inconsiderate dry climate has, however, enforced the people to develop a semi-nomadic way of life; when endurance becomes difficult these people move out with their cattle to more hospitable territories. Some utilize their expertise as folk performers to earn a livelihood. The nomads no doubt, leave their homes but carry the desert and its olden times in their hearts and follow each ritual conscientiously. They may travel far away from their soil but by no means move away from their customs and traditions. When the desert is a little friendlier it turns into a nurturing ground for camels, cows and buffaloes. Lack of vegetation has been remunerated by the abundance of minerals that are to be found in numerous parts of this enthralling region. The area on the other side of the Aravalli is a land prosperous is vegetation. Aravalli, or, a partition lying across, has a greater charisma here. This area is rich in scattered hillocks, deposits of silver, zinc and lead. There are also long, stretched and dense forests with lush green valleys of fertile fields. This area is irrigated by several rivers - the most imperative being the grand Chambal river which hurtles throughout the rocky landscapes of the Hadoti region.
Geologically, several areas in Rajasthan came into existence much earlier than the Himalayas as a result it was expected that culture came to Rajasthan much before it came to the rest of India. Findings at Kalibangan, in Ganganagar district, confirm that an entirely developed and structured society was in existence in that region much before the Harappan culture. Rajasthan holds a large number of other prehistoric sites and monuments on its glorious land.
Moreover, Rajasthan had a history of various kingdoms and wars between them for superiority. Only after the mid-sixth century, the valiant Rajputs, warriors par excellence, got the control of the region and wrote the most magnificent chapters of history with their blood and swords. Since, Rajasthan was segregated into kingdoms and the valiant Rajputs kept themselves busy with conflicts amongst the neighboring kingdoms or else they confronted the Turks, the powerful Sultans of Delhi lasted Sultanate and later the Great Mughals.
The clashes between the Rajputs and the Muslims sovereigns of Delhi lasted for almost 500 years. This phase saw the rise of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, Rana Pratap, Maharani Padmini - the good-looking queen of Rana Rattan Singh of Chittaur, Rana Sangha, and Man Singh of Ajmer, and many names which became sanctified in folk memory. It was a period of high level of loyalties better death before dishonor sort of feeling.
Rajputana Tours offers you to a splendid trip to all the major Tourist Places in Rajasthan and also providing you the best Rajasthan tour packages, so that you can understand about Rajasthan Culture and mesmerize the journey through Rajasthan.
