Rājasthān (राजस्थान, ) 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
SutlejThe Sutlej River is the longest of the five rivers that flow through the historic crossroad region of Punjab in northern India and Pakistan...
-Indus river valley along its border with Pakistan. The state borders
PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
to the west,
GujaratGujarat is the westernmost state in India. It is home to the Gujarati speaking people of India. The state encompasses major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization such as Lothal and Dholavira. Gujarat played an important role in the economic history of India throughout the history of India...
to the southwest,
Madhya PradeshMadhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh was originally the largest state in India until November 1, 2000 when the state of Chhattisgarh was carved out...
to the southeast,
Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh , [often referred to as U.P.] is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 190 million people,...
and
HaryanaHaryana is a state in northern India. It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south. Eastern border to Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh is defined by river Yamuna. Haryana also surrounds Delhi on three sides, forming the northern, western and...
to the northeast and Punjab to the north. Rajasthan covers an area of 132,150
sq miThe square mile is an imperial and US unit of measure for an area equal to the area of a square of one statute mile.
or 342,269 km².
The state capital is
JaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. Jaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur...
. Geographical features include the
Thar DesertThe Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large, arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. With an area of more than 200,000 km2., it is world's 7th largest desert and also Asia's 3rd largest desert...
along north-western Rajasthan and the termination of the Ghaggar River near the archaeological ruins at Kalibanga, which are the oldest in the subcontinent discovered so far.
One of the world's oldest
mountain rangeA mountain range is a chain of mountains bordered by highlands or separated from other mountains by passes or valleys. Individual mountains within the same mountain range do not necessarily have the same geology, though they often do; they may be a mix of different orogeny, for example volcanoes,...
s, the
Aravalli RangeThe Aravalli Range literally meaning 'line of peaks' , is a range of mountains in western India running approximately 800 km from northeast to southwest across states of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat. -Features:...
, cradles the only
hill stationHill station is a term used for a town usually at somewhat higher elevations. The term was used in colonial Asia , where towns have been founded by European colonial rulers up where temperatures are cooler, as refuges from the summer heat...
of Rajasthan,
Mount AbuMount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state in western India. It is located in Sirohi district. Mount Abu is 58 km from Palanpur. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar, at 1722...
, and its world-famous
Dilwara TemplesThe Jain Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½ kilometers from Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station. These temples built by Chalukya between the 11th and 13th centuries AD are world famous for their stunning use of marble. The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred...
, a sacred pilgrimage for
JainsJainism is an ancient dharmic religion from India that prescribes a path of non-violence for all forms of living beings in this world. Its philosophy and practice relies mainly on self-effort in progressing the soul on the spiritual ladder to divine consciousness...
. Eastern Rajasthan has two national tiger reserves,
RanthamboreRanthambore National Park is one of the largest and most famous national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 130 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport...
and Sariska, as well as
Keoladeo National ParkThe Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that sees thousands of rare and highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane come here during the winter season. Over 230 species of...
near
BharatpurBharatpur is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. Located in Mewat region, Bharatpur was once an impregnable, well-fortified city, and the capital of a kingdom ruled by Jat maharajas. The trio of Bharatpur, Deeg and Dholpur has played an important...
, once famous for its bird life.
Rajasthan was formed on 30 March 1949, when all erstwhile princely states ruled by Rajputs, known as
RajputanaRājputāna, also called Rājwār, was the pre-1949 name of the present-day Indian state of Rājasthān, the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area....
, merged into the
Dominion of IndiaThe Union of India, sometimes also known as the Dominion of India, was an independent state congruent to modern-day India that existed between 15 August, 1947 and 26 January, 1950...
. The only difference between erstwhile Rajputana and Rajasthan is that certain portions of what had been British India, in the former province of
Ajmer-MerwaraAjmer-Merwara is a former province of British India in the historical Ajmer region. The territory of the province was ceded to the British by Daulat Rao Sindhia by a treaty on June 25, 1818....
, were included. Portions lying geographically outside of Rajputana such as the Sumel-Tappa area were given to Madhya Pradesh.
History
The
Indus Valley CivilizationThe Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age civilization which centred mostly in the western part of the Indian Subcontinent and flourished around the Indus river basin....
, one of the world's first and oldest civilizations, was located in part of what is now Rajasthan.
KalibanganKalibangān is a town located at on the left or southern banks of the Ghaggar , identified by some scholars with Saraswati River in Tehsil Pilibangān, between Suratgarh and Hanumāngarh in Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan, India 205 km. from Bikaner...
in
Hanumangarh districtHanumangarh District is a district of Rajasthan state of western India. The town of Hanumangarh is the district headquarters.-District Profile:...
, Rajasthan was a major provincial capital of the Indus Valley Civilization. Traditionally the
RajputA Rajput is a member of one of the major Hindu Kshatriya groups of India. They enjoy a reputation as formidable soldiers and it is common to find many of them serving in the Indian Armed Forces. The British Government also accepted them and recruited them heavily into their armies...
s,
YadavYadav or Jhadhav is an Indian caste that claims descent from Yadu. Yadavas have been mentioned as one of the panchjanya tribes in ancient Vedic texts. In Indian history, particularly with reference to the Vedic Period, the Yadavs had a glorious past and Yadavs were known for their bravery and...
s,
JatsThe Jatt people or Jat are an ethnic group native mainly to the Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan belt of northern India, including a large international immigrant diaspora...
,
BhilBhils are a tribal people of Central India. They speak Bhil languages, a group of Indic languages.Bhils are a scheduled tribe in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan in western and central India, as well as in Tripura in far-eastern India, on the border...
s,
GujarGujar may refer to:*Gujjar, an ethnic group of Pakistan and India.*Gujar, Nepal, a town in Nepal.* Gujar Khan , nephew of Ataga Khan, fought against Akbar's army - Battle of Tukaroi....
s,
MeenasMeenas, Meena or Mina is a caste and community mainly found in Rajasthan, India. The name Mina is derived from Meen, meaning 'fish' in Sanskrit, and the Minas claim descent from the Matsya Avatar, or fish incarnation, of Vishnu....
and 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. Millions of them were martyred for this land. ‘The Hinduan Suraj’ title to Udaipur was only due to Sisodia Rajputs. Gujars had been exterminated in
BhinmalBhinmal , also known as Shrimal, is a town in the Jalore District of Rajasthan, India. It is 72 km south of Jalore town. The name Bhinmal is derived from the word Shrimal...
and Ajmer areas fighting with the invaders. Bhils once ruled Kota and Bundi. Bargujars were sardars in Alwar, Jodhpur and Ajmer areas. Bargujars and Meenas were ruler of
DhundharDhundhar is an historical region of Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the districts of Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, and Tonk and the northern part of Karauli District...
region,
BundiBundi is a city and a municipality of approximately 88,000 inhabitants in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan state in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris...
.
The earlier contributions of warriors and protectors of the land — Bargujars, Jats, Bhils, Gujars and Meenas — were neglected and lost in history.
Rajasthan means the
Land of the Kings. Modern Rajasthan includes most of
RajputanaRājputāna, also called Rājwār, was the pre-1949 name of the present-day Indian state of Rājasthān, the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area....
, which comprises mainly the erstwhile
RajputA Rajput is a member of one of the major Hindu Kshatriya groups of India. They enjoy a reputation as formidable soldiers and it is common to find many of them serving in the Indian Armed Forces. The British Government also accepted them and recruited them heavily into their armies...
kingdoms as well as two Jat kingdoms and a
Muslim:A Muslim , , is an adherent of the religion of Islam. The feminine form is Muslimah . Literally, the word means "one who submits ". Muslim is the participle of the same verb of which Islam is the infinitive. Muslims believe that there is only one God, translated in Arabic as Allah...
kingdom.
JodhpurJodhpur , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, it was the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar...
,
BikanerBikaner is a District in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in northern India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins...
, Udaipur, and
JaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. Jaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur...
were some of the main
RajputA Rajput is a member of one of the major Hindu Kshatriya groups of India. They enjoy a reputation as formidable soldiers and it is common to find many of them serving in the Indian Armed Forces. The British Government also accepted them and recruited them heavily into their armies...
states. The Jats were rulers in
BharatpurBharatpur is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. Located in Mewat region, Bharatpur was once an impregnable, well-fortified city, and the capital of a kingdom ruled by Jat maharajas. The trio of Bharatpur, Deeg and Dholpur has played an important...
and
DholpurDholpur is a city in eastern most parts of the Rajasthan state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dholpur District.Dhaulpur was a part of Bharatpur district....
.
TonkTonk may refer to:* Tonk District, a district in Rajasthan state in western India** Tonk, India, a town in the Tonk district**Tonk , a Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency of Rajasthan...
was ruled by a
Muslim:A Muslim , , is an adherent of the religion of Islam. The feminine form is Muslimah . Literally, the word means "one who submits ". Muslim is the participle of the same verb of which Islam is the infinitive. Muslims believe that there is only one God, translated in Arabic as Allah...
NawabA Nawab or Nawaab was originally the subedar or viceroy of a subah or region of the Mughal empire. It became a high title for Muslim nobles.-History:...
.Rajput families rose to prominence in the 6th century CE. The Rajputs put a very valiant resistance to the Islamic invasions and protected this land with their warfare and chivalry for more than 500 years.They also resisted
MughalThe Mughal Empire was an Islamic and Persianate imperial power of the Indian subcontinent which began in 1526, invaded and ruled most of Hindustan by the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and ended in the mid-19th century...
incursions into India, but contributed to the slower than anticipated access to the
Indian SubcontinentThe Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent and other terms, is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate south of the Himalayas, forming a peninsula which extends southward into the Indian Ocean...
. Later The Mughals ,with a technique based on the combination of treachery and skilled warfare were able to set firm grip on northern India. The fighter spirit and valour of Rajputs impressed the Mughals to such an extent that they started treating their Rajput aides as the backbone of their Kingdom.Even after defeating, the Mughals took Rajput valour and value in highest esteem.
MewarMewar is a region of south-central Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the present-day districts of Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand and Udaipur. The region was for centuries a Rajput kingdom that later became a princely state under the British...
led others in resistance to Muslim rule:
Rana SangaMaharana Sangram Singh was the ruler of Mewar state, a region lying within the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan, between 1509 and 1527...
fought the Battle of Khanua against
BaburZahir ud-din Muhammad Jalal ud-din Babur was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of India. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father, and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his...
, the founder of the Mughal empire; and Maharana Pratap Singh resisted Akbar in Haldighati, the Bhils were Rana's main allies. Most of these attacks were evenly met as the Mughals outnumbered Rajputs in great numbers in all the wars fought between them.The Haldighati war was fought between 10,000 Rajputs and 1,00,000 Mughal force. Over the years the Mughals began to have internal disputes which took their concentration away at times. They also had to fight off Pathan warriors from neighbouring Afganistan and the newer enemy, the
British EmpireThe British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom, that had originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height it was...
which consisted of large numbers of natives whilst engaging against various other regional powers such as the Persians. The
Mughal EmpireThe Mughal Empire was an Islamic and Persianate imperial power of the Indian subcontinent which began in 1526, invaded and ruled most of Hindustan by the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and ended in the mid-19th century...
eventually weakened to which several groups across their kingdom (including sikhs) saw opportunities to establish their power whilst the army was fighting somewhere else. The Rajputs saw this as an opportunity to reassert their independence. With the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century,
RajputanaRājputāna, also called Rājwār, was the pre-1949 name of the present-day Indian state of Rājasthān, the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area....
came under attack by the Marathas and Pindaris, and the Maratha general
ScindiaScindia, anglicized from Shinde, and also spelled as Sindhia, Sindia, is a Maratha family in India which included rulers of the Gwalior State in the 18th and 19th centuries, collaborators of the colonial British government during the 19th and the 20th centuries until India became independent, and...
captured Ajmer. The Rajput kings following a rapid defeat, 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
AjmerThis article is about a city in central Rajasthan, for the historical region, see Ajmer region.Ajmer , formerly written Ajmere, is a city in Ajmer District in India's Rajasthan state. Ajmer is a very beautiful city, surrounded by the spectacular Aravalli Mountains. Ajmer, also known as Ajaymeru,...
became a province of British India, while the autonomous Rajput states, the Muslim state
TonkTonk was a princely state of India which by treaty in 1817 accepted British suzerainty. Following the Partition of India in 1947, Tonk acceded to the newly independent Union of India.-History:...
, and the Jat states (Bharatpur and Dholpur) were organized into the
Rajputana AgencyRajputana Agency was a collection of native states in India , under the political charge of an agent to the Governor-General of India who resided at Mount Abu in the Aravalli Range. The total area of Rajputana was 127,541 square miles . It included 18 states and 2 estates or chiefships...
.
The
MarwarisMarwaris are the people from Rajasthan in India. Although Marwar refers to the region around Jodhpur, most marwari merchants are actually from Shekhawati. Though Marwari as a genre originated from a place name, the Marwari people have spread to many regions of India, and even to neighboring...
(people from
MarwarMarwar is a region of southwestern Rajasthan state in western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. In Rajasthani dialect "wad" means a particular area. The word Marwar is derived from Sanskrit word 'Maruwat'. English translation of the word is 'The region of death'. , Imperial Gazetteer of...
) and Rajasthan's formerly independent kingdoms created a rich architectural and cultural heritage, seen today in their numerous forts and palaces (
MahalMahal may refer to:* Mahal , a small town in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India* Mahal language, a language spoken by the people of Minicoy Island, India* Mahal , foreign volunteers in Israel* Mahal , in Arabi language...
s and
HaveliHaveli is the term used for a private mansions in India and Pakistan. The word haveli is derived from Persian meaning "an enclosed place".- Mughal Havelis :...
s) which are enriched by features of
Muslim:A Muslim , , is an adherent of the religion of Islam. The feminine form is Muslimah . Literally, the word means "one who submits ". Muslim is the participle of the same verb of which Islam is the infinitive. Muslims believe that there is only one God, translated in Arabic as Allah...
and Jain
architectureFor a topical guide to this subject, see Outline of architecture. Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures for human shelter or use....
. The development of the frescos in Rajasthan is linked with the history of the
MarwarisMarwaris are the people from Rajasthan in India. Although Marwar refers to the region around Jodhpur, most marwari merchants are actually from Shekhawati. Though Marwari as a genre originated from a place name, the Marwari people have spread to many regions of India, and even to neighboring...
, who have also played a crucial role in the economic development of the region. Most of the wealthiest families throughout Indian history have links to Marwar. These families include the legendary
BirlaBirla refers to either the members of the Birla family, or the organizations founded or run by them.* Birla family* Members of Birla family:** Ghanshyam Das Birla** Aditya Birla** Krishna Kumar Birla** Kumar Mangalam Birla** Basant Kumar Birla...
,
BhandariBhandari caste is among the sea-faring warrior castes of ancient & medieval India.They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India...
,
BajajBajaj may refer to:People* Jamnalal Bajaj, a prominent businessman from India* Rahul Bajaj, Indian billionaire and MP of Rajya SabhaCompanies* Bajaj Auto, a manufacturer of 2 and 3-wheelers in India, Indonesia and South America...
,
MittalMittal is a gotra in the Agrawal community in India that is often used as a family name. Mittal may refer to:*Arcelor Mittal — international steel company and more earn company**Mittal Steel Company - steel company now a part of Arcelor Mittal...
,
AgrawalAgrawals or Agarwals are a large and influential Hindu forward caste in India. Traditionally, the Agrawals have been a trading community in northern India, though in modern times they follow other professions as well....
and
KhandelwalKhandelwal is the name of three separate communities* Khandelwal Jain, a major Jain community, also known as Sarawagi .* Khandelwal Brahmin, a Brahmin community* Khandelwal Vaishya, a Vaishnav vaish trading community...
families.
Geography
The main geographic features of Rajasthan are the
Thar DesertThe Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large, arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. With an area of more than 200,000 km2., it is world's 7th largest desert and also Asia's 3rd largest desert...
and the
Aravalli RangeThe Aravalli Range literally meaning 'line of peaks' , is a range of mountains in western India running approximately 800 km from northeast to southwest across states of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat. -Features:...
, which runs through the state from southwest to northeast, almost from one end to the other, for more than 850 km.
Mount AbuMount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state in western India. It is located in Sirohi district. Mount Abu is 58 km from Palanpur. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar, at 1722...
is at the southwestern end of the range, separated from the main ranges by the
West Banas RiverThe West Banas is a river of western India. It originates the southern Aravalli Range, in Sirohi District of the state of Rajasthan. It flows south, draining the valley between Mount Abu on the west and the easterly ridge of the Aravallis on the east...
, although a series of broken ridges continues into
HaryanaHaryana is a state in northern India. It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south. Eastern border to Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh is defined by river Yamuna. Haryana also surrounds Delhi on three sides, forming the northern, western and...
in the direction of
DelhiDelhi, known locally as Dilli , and also by the official name National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest metropolis by population in India...
where it can be seen as outcrops in the form of the
Raisina HillRaisina Hill is a prime area in Edwin Lutyens' New Delhi, housing India's most important government buildings. The Rashtrapati Bhavan, India's Presidential palace, flanked by the Secretariat building housing the Indian Prime Minister's Office and several other important ministries...
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 DesertThe Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large, arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. With an area of more than 200,000 km2., it is world's 7th largest desert and also Asia's 3rd largest desert...
, which extends into adjoining portions of Pakistan. The Aravalli Range does not intercept the moisture-giving southwest
monsoonA pennis is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by seasonal changes in precipitation, but now is used to describe seasonal changes atmospheric circulation and precipitation The major monsoon systems of the world consist of the African and Asia-Australian monsoons...
winds off the
Arabian SeaThe Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui, the north-east point of Somalia, Socotra, Kanyakumari in India, and the western coast...
,as it lies in a direction parallel to that of the coming monsoon winds, leaving the northwestern region in a
rain shadowA rain shadow is an area of land that has suffered desertification from proximity to mountain ranges. The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems, casting a "shadow" of dryness behind them.-Description:...
. The Thar Desert is thinly populated; the town of
BikanerBikaner is a District in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in northern India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins...
is the largest city in the desert. The
Northwestern thorn scrub forestsThe Northwestern thorn scrub forests are a xeric shrubland ecoregion of Pakistan and northwestern India. The ecoregion encircles the Thar Desert and Indus Valley Desert ecoregions. It includes the western half of Gujarat , and extending through Rajasthan, where it is bounded on the southeast by the...
lie in a band around the Thar Desert, between the desert and the Aravallis. This region receives less than 400 mm of
rainRain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to other kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. On Earth, it is the condensation of atmospheric water vapor into drops heavy enough to fall, often making it to the surface...
in an average year. Summer temperatures can exceed 45 °C in the summer months and drop below freezing in the winter. The
GodwarGorwar or Godwad, is a region of Rajasthan state in India, which lies in the southwest Rajasthan and borders with the state of Gujarat.-Geography:...
,
MarwarMarwar is a region of southwestern Rajasthan state in western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. In Rajasthani dialect "wad" means a particular area. The word Marwar is derived from Sanskrit word 'Maruwat'. English translation of the word is 'The region of death'. , Imperial Gazetteer of...
, and
ShekhawatiShekhawati is a semi-arid historical region located in the northeast part of Rajasthan, India.It encompasses the administrative districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar. From the administrative and geographical point of view Shekhawati is limited to Jhunjhunu and Sikar districts only...
regions lie in the thorn scrub forest zone, along with the city of
JodhpurJodhpur , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, it was the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar...
. The
Luni RiverThe Luni is a river of western Rajasthan state, India. It originates in the Pushkar valley of the Aravalli Range, near Ajmer and ends in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, after travelling a distance of 530 km...
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 KutchThe Rann of Kutch is a seasonally marshy saline clay desert located in the Thar Desert biogeographic province in the state of Gujarat situated 8km away from village Kharaghoda located in the Surendranagar District of northwestern India and the Sind province of Pakistan. The name "Rann" comes from...
wetland in neighboring
GujaratGujarat is the westernmost state in India. It is home to the Gujarati speaking people of India. The state encompasses major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization such as Lothal and Dholavira. Gujarat played an important role in the economic history of India throughout the history of India...
. This river is saline in the lower reaches and remains potable only up to Balotara in Barmer district. The Ghaggar River, which originates in
HaryanaHaryana is a state in northern India. It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south. Eastern border to Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh is defined by river Yamuna. Haryana also surrounds Delhi on three sides, forming the northern, western and...
, 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
Saraswatiand often peacockIn the Vedic system Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. Saraswatī has been identified with the Vedic Saraswati River. She is considered as consort of Brahma...
river.
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
Kathiarbar-Gir dry deciduous forestsThe Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests are a tropical dry broadleaf forest ecoregion of western India.-Setting:The Kathiawar-Gir forests have a disjunct distribution. The main part of the ecoregion comprises the Aravalli Range and the eastern half of Rajasthan state, extending into eastern Gujarat...
ecoregion, with
tropical dry broadleaf forestsThe tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest biome, also known as tropical dry forest, is located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. Though these forests occur in climates that are warm year-round, and may receive several hundred centimeters of rain per year, they have long dry seasons...
that include
teakTeak , is a genus of tropical hardwood trees in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to the south and southeast of Asia, and is commonly found as a component of monsoon forest vegetation...
,
AcaciaAcacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in 1773. The plants tend to be thorny and pod-bearing, with sap and leaves typically bearing large amounts of tannins...
, and other trees. The hilly
VagadVagad is a region in southeastern Rajasthan state of western India. The major cities of the region are Dungarpur and Banswara, both princely states in 19th century....
region lies in southernmost Rajasthan, on the border with
GujaratGujarat is the westernmost state in India. It is home to the Gujarati speaking people of India. The state encompasses major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization such as Lothal and Dholavira. Gujarat played an important role in the economic history of India throughout the history of India...
. With the exception of Mount Abu, Vagad is the wettest region in Rajasthan, and the most heavily forested. North of Vagad lies the
MewarMewar is a region of south-central Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the present-day districts of Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand and Udaipur. The region was for centuries a Rajput kingdom that later became a princely state under the British...
region, home to the cities of Udaipur and Chittaurgarh. The
HadotiHadoti , is a region of Rajasthan state in western India...
region lies to the southeast, on the border with Madhya Pradesh. North of Hadoti and Mewar is the
DhundharDhundhar is an historical region of Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the districts of Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, and Tonk and the northern part of Karauli District...
region, home to the state capital of
JaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. Jaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur...
.
MewatMewat is also a historical region of Haryana and Rajasthan states in northwestern India. The loose boundaries of Mewat are not precisely determined but generally include Mewat District of Haryana and parts of Alwar, Bharatpur, and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan....
, the easternmost region of Rajasthan, borders
HaryanaHaryana is a state in northern India. It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south. Eastern border to Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh is defined by river Yamuna. Haryana also surrounds Delhi on three sides, forming the northern, western and...
and
Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh , [often referred to as U.P.] is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 190 million people,...
. Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan is drained by the
BanasThe Banas is a river of Rajasthan state in western India. It is a tributary of the Chambal River, which in turn flows into the Yamuna, a tributary of the Ganges. The Banas is approximately 512 kilometres in length....
and
ChambalThe Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh state ...
rivers, tributaries of the Ganges.
The Aravali Range runs across the state from the southwest peak
Guru ShikharGuru Shikhar, a peak at an altitude of 5,676 feet , is the highest point in Rajasthan. It is located at a distance of 15 km from Mount Abu. It has a commanding view of Abu and its surroundings....
(Mount Abu), which is 1,722 m in height, to
KhetriKhetri Nagar is a town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan in India. It is part of Shekhawati region. It is known for its Copper Project. Much of the township is government-owned since there is a public Limited company there. Khetri is actually two towns, the first "Khetri Town" was founded by Raja...
in the northeast. This divides the state into 60% in the northwest of the range and 40% in the southeast. The northwest tract is sandy and unproductive with little water but improves gradually from desert land in the far west and northwest to comparatively fertile and habitable land towards the east. The area includes the Thar Desert. The south-eastern area, higher in elevation (100 to 350 m above sea level) and more fertile, has a very diversified topography. in the south lies the hilly tract of
MewarMewar is a region of south-central Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the present-day districts of Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand and Udaipur. The region was for centuries a Rajput kingdom that later became a princely state under the British...
. In the southeast, a large area within the districts of
KotaKota District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city of Kota is the administrative headquarters of the district.The district is bounded on the north by Bundi District, on the east by Bara District, on the south by Jhalawar District, and on the west by Chittorgarh District...
and
BundiBundi is a city and a municipality of approximately 88,000 inhabitants in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan state in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris...
forms a tableland. To the northeast of these districts is a rugged region (badlands) following the line of the
Chambal RiverThe Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh state ...
. Farther north the country levels out; the flat plains of the northeastern
Bharatpur districtBharatpur District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Bharatpur is the district headquarters. The district has an area of 5,066 km²...
are part of an alluvial basin.
Economy
Rajasthan's economy is primarily agricultural and
pastoralPastoral, as an adjective, refers to the lifestyle of shepherds and pastoralists, moving livestock around larger areas of land according to seasons and availability of water and food. "Pastoral" also describes literature, art and music which depicts the life of shepherds, often in a highly...
.
WheatWheat is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Fertile Crescent region of the Near East. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
and
barleyBarley is a cereal grain derived from the annual grass Hordeum vulgare. It serves as a major animal feed crop, with smaller amounts used for malting and in health food. It is used in soups, stews and barley bread in various countries, such as Scotland and in Africa...
are cultivated over large areas, as are
pulsesFor other uses, see Pulse A pulse is an annual leguminous crop yielding from one to twelve grains or seeds of variable size, shape, and color within a pod. Pulses are used for food and animal feed. The term "pulse", as used by the Food and Agricultural Organization , is reserved for crops...
,
sugarcaneSugarcane, or sugar cane, is any of six to thirty-seven species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six meters tall...
, and oilseeds.
CottonCotton is a soft, staple fiber that grows in a form known as a boll around the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, India and Africa. The fiber most often is spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft,...
and
tobaccoTobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as an organic pesticide, and in the form of nicotine tartrate it is used in some medicines. In consumption it most commonly appears in the forms of smoking, chewing, snuffing, or...
are cash crops. Rajasthan is among the largest producers of edible oils in India and the second largest producer of oilseeds. Rajasthan is also the biggest
woolWool is a fibrous protein derived from the specialized skin cells called follicles. The wool is taken from animals in the Caprinae family, principally sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals including: goats, llamas, and rabbits may also be called wool...
-producing state in India and the main opium producer and consumer. There are mainly two crop seasons. The water for irrigation comes from wells and tanks. The
Indira Gandhi CanalThe Indira Gandhi Canal is one of the biggest canal projects in India.It starts from the Harike Barrage, a few kilometers below the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers in Punjab state...
irrigates northwestern Rajasthan.
The main industries are
mineralA mineral is a naturally occurring solid formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition, a highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. A rock, by comparison, is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids, and need not have a specific...
based, agriculture based, and textiles. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of
polyesterPolyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
fibre in India. The
Bhilwara DistrictBhilwara District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Bhilwara is the district headquarters.-Geography and Demographics:...
produces more cloth than
BhiwandiBhiwandi is a city, in the district of Thane, in the western state of Maharashtra, in India, located 50 km to the north-east of Mumbai and 15 km to the north-east of Thane city. The exact location of Bhiwandi is ....
,
MaharashtraMaharashtra is a state located on the western coast of India. Maharashtra is a part of Western India. It is India's third largest state by area and second largest by population....
. Several prominent chemical and engineering companies are located in the town of
KotaKota formerly known as Kotah, is a city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. Situated on the banks of Chambal River, the city is the trade centre for an area in which cotton, millet, wheat, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving,...
, in western Rajasthan. Rajasthan is pre-eminent in quarrying and
miningMining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, usually from an ore body, vein or seam. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock salt and potash...
in India. The state is the second largest source of
cementIn the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance which sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term "opus caementicium" to describe masonry which resembled concrete and was made from crushed...
in India. It has rich
saltA salt, in chemistry, is an ionic compound, and can result from the neutralization reaction of acids and bases. Salts are ionic compounds composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
deposits at
SambharSambhar is a city and a municipality in Jaipur district in the Indian state of Rajasthan.-Geography:Sambhar is located at . It has an average elevation of 367 metres...
,
copperCopper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29.It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is rather soft and malleable and a freshly-exposed surface has a pinkish or peachy color...
mines at
KhetriKhetri Nagar is a town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan in India. It is part of Shekhawati region. It is known for its Copper Project. Much of the township is government-owned since there is a public Limited company there. Khetri is actually two towns, the first "Khetri Town" was founded by Raja...
and
zincZinc , also known as spelter, is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
mines at Dariba, Zawar mines at Zawarmala for
zincZinc , also known as spelter, is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
, rampura aghucha (opencast) near
BhilwaraBhilwara is a city in Mewar region of Rajasthan, India, 600 km from Delhi. It is the administrative seat of Bhilwara District.- History :...
. Dimensional stone mining is also undertaken in Rajasthan: Jodhpur
sandstoneSandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains. Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any color, but the most common colors are tan, brown, yellow,...
is mostly used in monuments, important buildings, residential buildings, etc. This stone is termed "chittar patthar".
Rajasthan is now the preferred destination for IT companies and North India's largest integrated IT park is located in
JaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. Jaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur...
and is named as
Mahindra World CityMahindra World City - Corporate India's first operational Special Economic Zone and India's first Integrated Business City is promoted by the Mahindra Group and TIDCO...
JaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. Jaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur...
covering nearly of land. Some of the companies operating in Rajasthan include
InfosysInfosys Technologies Limited is a multinational information technology services company headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is one of India's largest IT companies with 103,905 professionals as of Jun 30, 2009...
,
GenpactGenpact , is a Business process outsourcing company in India. It was formerly a GE owned company called GE Capital International Services or GECIS. It operates from India, China, Guatemala, Hungary, México, Morocco, the Philippines, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, South Africa, and the...
, Wipro,
Truworth, Deutsche Bank, NEI, MICO, Honda Siel Cars, Coca Cola, Gillette etc.
Tourism
Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan. The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner & Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destination of many tourists, Indian and foreign. Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product. Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels. Tourism has increased employment in the hospitality sector.
Rajasthan is famous for the majestic forts, intricately carved temples and decorated
haveliHaveli is the term used for a private mansions in India and Pakistan. The word haveli is derived from Persian meaning "an enclosed place".- Mughal Havelis :...
s, which were built by Bargujar kings in previous ages, they were the soul of pre-Muslim era Rajasthan. Jantar Mantar,
Dilwara TemplesThe Jain Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½ kilometers from Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station. These temples built by Chalukya between the 11th and 13th centuries AD are world famous for their stunning use of marble. The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred...
,
Chittorgarh FortChittorgarh Fort is considered the largest fort in India and the best in the state of Rajasthan. The fort, plainly known as Chittor, was the capital of Mewar...
,
Lake PalaceLake Palace is a luxury hotel, of 83 rooms and suites featuring white marble walls, located on a natural foundation of rock on the Jag Niwas island in Lake Pichola, Udaipur, India....
, City Palaces,
JaisalmerJaisalmer ,,, nicknamed "The Golden City", is a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. Many of the houses and temples are finely sculptured...
Havelis are part of the true architectural heritage of India.
JaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. Jaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur...
, the Pink City, is noted for the ancient houses made of a type of sand stone dominated by a pink hue. At Ajmer, the white marble Bara-dari on the Anasagar lake is exquisite. Jain Temples dot Rajasthan from north to south and east to west.
Dilwara TemplesThe Jain Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½ kilometers from Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station. These temples built by Chalukya between the 11th and 13th centuries AD are world famous for their stunning use of marble. The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred...
of
Mount AbuMount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state in western India. It is located in Sirohi district. Mount Abu is 58 km from Palanpur. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar, at 1722...
,
Ranakpur TempleRanakpur is a village located in Desuri tehsil near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan in western India. It is located between Jodhpur and Udaipur, in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range...
dedicated to Lord Adinath near Udaipur, Jain temples in the fort complexes of Chittor,
JaisalmerJaisalmer ,,, nicknamed "The Golden City", is a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. Many of the houses and temples are finely sculptured...
and
KumbhalgarhKumbhalgarh is a Mewar fortress in the Rajsamand District of Rajasthan state in western India. Built during the course of the 15th century CE by Rana Kumbha , and enlarged through the 1800s, Kumbhalgarh is also a birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar...
, Lodarva Jain temples, Bhandasar Temple of
BikanerBikaner is a District in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in northern India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins...
are some of the best examples.
Rajasthan is often called a shopper's paradise. Rajasthan is famous for textiles, semi-precious stones and handicrafts. The attractive designs of jewellery and clothes are eye-catching and invite shoppers. Rajasthani furniture has intricate carvings and bright colours. Rajasthani handicrafts are in demand due to the intricate work on them. Above all, Rajasthan's shopping appeals to both tourists and people from other parts of
IndiaIndia, officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal...
due to its cheap prices for quality goods.
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 cultureFolk culture refers to the localized lifestyle of a culture. Historically, handed down through oral tradition, it demonstrates the "old ways" over novelty and relates to a sense of community. Folk culture is quite often imbued with a sense of place...
from villages which is often depicted symbolic of the state. Highly cultivated classical music and dance with its own distinct style is part of the cultural tradition of Rajasthan. The music is uncomplicated and songs depict day-to-day relationships and chores, more often focused around fetching water from wells or ponds.
The
GhoomarGhoomar is a traditional women's folk dance of Rajasthan, India which was developed by the Bhil tribe and was adopted by the Rajputs. It is performed by groups of women in swirling robes, and accompanied by men and women singing together....
dance from Udaipur and Kalbeliya dance of
JaisalmerJaisalmer ,,, nicknamed "The Golden City", is a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. Many of the houses and temples are finely sculptured...
have gained international recognition. Folk music is a vital part of Rajasthani culture. Kathputali,
BhopaThe Bhopas are the priest singers of the folk deities in Rajasthan state of India. They perform in front of a scroll, known as phad or par in Rajasthani that depicts the episodes of the narrative of the folk deity and functions as a portable temple...
,
ChangChang may refer to:sdChang * Chang , a Chinese surname* Chang , a Korean surname* Chang of Thailand* Ko Chang, the second-largest island of Thailand* Chang , a 1927 film...
, 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
dholakThe Dholak is a North Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese double-headed hand-drum. It may have traditional lacing or turnbuckle tensioning: in the former case rings are used for tuning, though the dholak is mainly a folk instrument, lacking the exact tuning of the tabla or the pakhawaj...
,
sitarThe sitar is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
,
sarangiThe Sārangī is a bowed, short-necked lute of the Indian subcontinent. It is an important bowed string instrument of India's Hindustani classical music tradition...
etc.) are also sung.
Rajasthan is known for its traditional, colorful art. The block prints, tie and dye prints, Bagaru prints, Sanganer prints,
ZariZari is a type of thread made of fine gold or silver wire used in traditional Indian and Pakistani garments. This thread is woven into fabrics, primarily made of silk to create intricate patterns. It is believed this tradition started during the Mughal era....
embroidery are major export products from Rajasthan. Handicraft items like wooden furniture and handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery are some of the things commonly found here. Rajasthan is a shoppers' paradise, with beautiful goods found at low prices. Reflecting the colorful Rajasthani culture, Rajasthani clothes have a lot of mirror-work and embroidery. A Rajasthani traditional dress for females comprises an ankle length skirt and a short top, also known as a
lehenga or a
chaniya choli. A piece of cloth is used to cover the head, both for protection from heat and maintenance of modesty. Rajasthani dresses are usually designed in bright colours like blue, yellow and orange.
The main religious festivals are
Eid-Arabic term:* Eid , an Arabic term meaning "festival" , and more specifically any of the following:** Eid ul-Fitr , which marks the end of the month of Ramadan...
Deepawali,
HoliHoli, also called the Festival of Colors, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Srilanka, and countries with large Hindu diaspora populations, such as Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, the UK, USA, Mauritius, and Fiji...
,
GangaurGangaur is a festival celebrated in the Indian state of Rajasthan.Gangaur is the colourful and the one of the most important festivals of people of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the state with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva during July-Aug...
,
TeejTeej is a fasting festival for Hindu women. It takes place in 3rd day of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapad or Bhado month of nepali calendar normly in the month of August or early September. It is celebrated for marital bliss, well-being of spouse and children and purification of own body and soul...
,
GogajiGogaji also known as Gugga is a folk deity of Rajasthan state in India. He is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. Hindus and Muslims alike honor him. He is also venerated as a saint and even as 'snake-god'. He is known as Goga among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslims. The Kaimkhani...
, Makar Sankranti and Janmashtami, as the main religion is
HinduismHinduism is the predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is often referred to as ', a Sanskrit phrase meaning "the eternal law", by its adherents. Generic "types" of Hinduism that attempt to accommodate a variety of complex views span folk and Vedic Hinduism to bhakti tradition, as...
. Rajasthan's
desert festivalDesert festival may refer to:* Burning Man in the United States* Dubai Desert Rock Festival in the United Arab Emirates* Festival in the Desert in Mali* International Festival of the Sahara in Tunisia...
is celebrated with great zest and zeal. This festival is held once a year during winters. Dressed in brilliantly hued costumes, the people of the desert dance and sing haunting ballads of valor, romance and tragedy. There are fairs with snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats and folk performers. Camels, of course, play a stellar role in this festival.
Government
The current government in Rajasthan is that of
Indian National CongressThe Indian National Congress is a major political party in India. Founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, Dinshaw Wacha, Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, Surendranath Banerjee, Monomohun Ghose, and William Wedderburn, the Indian National Congress became the leader of the Indian...
. The Chief Minister is
Ashok GehlotAshok Gehlot is a leader of Indian National Congress party and the present Chief Minister of the Indian state of Rajasthan. He earlier also served as chief minister of the state from 1998 to 2003. His current term began on December 13, 2008, following Congress's victory in the state elections...
.
Politics
Politics of Rajasthan is dominated by two parties
Bharatiya Janata PartyThe Bharatiya Janata Party , translation: Indian People's Party) is a major political party in India, founded in 1980. The party is a strong force in Hindu nationalism and advocates conservative social policies, self-reliance, free market economics, foreign policy driven by a nationalist agenda,...
(BJP) and
Indian National CongressThe Indian National Congress is a major political party in India. Founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, Dinshaw Wacha, Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, Surendranath Banerjee, Monomohun Ghose, and William Wedderburn, the Indian National Congress became the leader of the Indian...
.
Demographics
Rajasthan has a mainly Rajasthani population. Hindus account for 88.8% of the population. Muslims make up 8.5%, Sikhs 1.4% and
JainsJainism is an ancient dharmic religion from India that prescribes a path of non-violence for all forms of living beings in this world. Its philosophy and practice relies mainly on self-effort in progressing the soul on the spiritual ladder to divine consciousness...
1.2% of the population. The state of Rajasthan is also populated by
SindhisSindhis are a Sindhi speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from Sindh, a province of Pakistan. Today Sindhis that live in Pakistan belong to various religious denominations including Muslim, Zorastrian, Hindus and Christians...
, who came to Rajasthan from Sindh province (now in
PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
) during the India-Pakistan separation in 1947.
The mother tongue of the majority of people in Rajasthan is
RajasthaniRajasthani is a language or language cluster of the Indo-Aryan languages family. It is spoken by 36 million people in Rajasthan and other states of India and in some adjacent areas of Pakistan. The number of speakers may be up to 80 million worldwide...
. Rajasthani and
HindiStandard Hindi, also known as High Hindi, Nagari Hindi or Literary Hindi is a standardised register of Hindi. It is one of the 22 languages with official status in India, and is used, along with English, for administration of the central government.Standard Hindi is a sanskritised register derived...
are the most widely used languages in Rajasthan. After independence, Rajasthani was used as a medium of instruction, along with Hindi and English, in some schools. Some other languages used in Rajasthan are
GujaratiGujarati is an Indo-Aryan language, and part of the greater Indo-European language family...
,
SindhiSindhi is the language of the Sindh region of Pakistan. It is spoken by 24,410,910 people in Pakistan, and is also spoken in India by 2,535,485 speakers. It is the third most spoken language of Pakistan, and the official language of Sindh in Pakistan. It is also an official language of India...
and
PunjabiPunjabi or Panjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region ....
.
Flora and fauna
Though a large percentage of the total area is desert, and even though there is little forest cover, Rajasthan has a rich and varied flora and fauna. The natural vegetation is classed as Northern Desert Thorn Forest (Champion 1936). These occur in small clumps scattered in a more or less open forms. Density and size of patches increase from west to east following the increase in rainfall.
Some
wildlifeWildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals, and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
species, which are fast vanishing in other parts of
IndiaIndia, officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal...
, are found in the desert in large numbers such as the
Great Indian BustardThe Great Indian Bustard or Indian Bustard also known as Maldhok is a bustard found in India and eastern length of Pakistan. It is threatened by loss of its habitat, large expanses of grassland and low scrub....
(Ardeotis nigriceps), the
BlackbuckBlackbuck is a species of antelope found mainly in India, and also in some parts of Pakistan and Nepal. There are also introduced populations in various parts of the world including numerous ranches in Texas in the United States of America; free-ranging populations also exist in Argentina and in...
(Antilope cervicapra), the Indian Gazelle
(Gazella bennettii) and the
Indian Wild AssThe Indian wild ass also called khur, is a subspecies of the Onager native to Southern Asia.-Description:The Indian wild ass, as with most other Asian wild ass subspecies, is quite different from the African species. The coat is usually sandy, but varies from reddish grey, fawn, to pale chestnut...
.
The
Desert National ParkDesert National Park, Rajasthan, India, is situated in the west Indian state of Rajasthan near the town of Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km². The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert. Sand dunes form...
,
JaisalmerJaisalmer ,,, nicknamed "The Golden City", is a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. Many of the houses and temples are finely sculptured...
, spread over an area of 3162 km², is an excellent example of the
ecosystemAn ecosystem is a system of interdependent organisms which share the same habitat, in an area functioning together with all of the physical factors of the environment. Ecosystems can be permanent or temporary. Ecosystems usually form a number of food webs...
of the Thar Desert, and its diverse fauna. Great Indian Bustard, Blackbuck, chinkara, desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf, desert cat etc. can be easily seen here. Seashells and massive fossilized tree trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert. The region is a haven for
migratoryBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. These however are usually irregular or in only one direction and are termed variously as nomadism, invasions,...
and resident birds of the desert. One can see many
eagleEagles are large birds of prey which are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa...
s,
harriersA harrier is any of the several species of diurnal hawks forming the Circinae sub-family of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles or birds....
,
falconA falcon is any species of raptor in the genus Falco. The word comes from their Latin name falco, related to Latin falx because of the shape of these birds' wings.-Overview:...
s,
buzzardA buzzard is one of several large birds, but there are a number of meanings as detailed below.-Old World:In the Old World Buzzard can mean:* One of several medium-sized, wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings....
s,
kestrelThe name kestrel is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects. Other...
and
vultureVultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals. Vultures are found on every continent except Antarctica and Oceania....
s.
Short-toed EagleThe Short-toed Eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers.-Range and habitat:...
s
(Circaetus gallicus),
Tawny EagleThe Tawny Eagle is a large bird of prey. It is about 62—72 cm in length and has a wingspan of 165-185 cm and it weighs 1.6–-2.4 kg. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae...
s
(Aquila rapax), Spotted Eagles
(Aquila clanga),
Laggar FalconThe Laggar Falcon is a mid-sized bird of prey which occurs in the Indian subcontinent from extreme south-east Iran, south-east Afghanistan, Pakistan, through India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and north-west Myanmar....
s
(Falco jugger) and kestrels are the commonest of these.
The
Ranthambore National ParkRanthambore National Park is one of the largest and most famous national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 130 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport...
located in
Sawai MadhopurSawai Madhopur is a city and a municipality in Sawai Madhopur District in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is the administrative headquarters of Sawai Madhopur District....
, is one of the finest Tiger Reserves in the Country which became a part of
Project TigerProject Tiger is a wildlife conservation project initiated in India in 1972 to protect the Bengal Tigers.The project aims at tiger conservation in specially constituted tiger reserves representative of various biogeographical regions throughout India...
in 1973.
The
Sariska Tiger ReserveThe Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous national parks in India located in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan. This area was a hunting preserve of the erstwhile Alwar state and it was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. In 1978, it was given the status of a tiger reserve...
located in
AlwarAlwar is a city in the Rajasthan state of western India. It is the administrative headquarters of Alwar District, and was formerly the capital of the princely state of Alwar or Ulwar in British India. The city is located around 160 km south of Delhi, and around 150 km north of Jaipur...
district, 200 km from
DelhiDelhi, known locally as Dilli , and also by the official name National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest metropolis by population in India...
and 107 km from Jaipur
covers an area of approximately 800 km
2.The area was declared a National Park in 1979.
Tal Chhapar SanctuaryTal Chhapar Sanctuary is a sanctuary located in the Churu district of Northwestern Rajasthan in the Shekhawati region of India. It is 210 km from Jaipur and situated on road from Ratangarh to Sujangarh. The Tal Chappar sanctuary lies in the Sujangarh Tehsil of Churu District...
is a very small sanctuary in
SujangarhSujangarh is a town in Churu district located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan state in India. Sujangarh is situated on Jaipur - Bikaner Highway . It is 200 km away from the Jaipur, 150 km from Bikaner and 360 km from Delhi.It is known for its temples, havelis and 18th century forts...
,
Churu DistrictChuru is a district of Rajasthan state of western India. The town of Churu is the administrative headquarters of the district.Churu lies in the Jangladesh region of northern Rajasthan...
, 210 km from
JaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. Jaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur...
, in the
ShekhawatiShekhawati is a semi-arid historical region located in the northeast part of Rajasthan, India.It encompasses the administrative districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar. From the administrative and geographical point of view Shekhawati is limited to Jhunjhunu and Sikar districts only...
region. This sanctuary is home to a large population of graceful Blackbuck.
Desert FoxDesert Fox can have multiple meanings:*another name for the Fennec Fox*nickname for German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel*The Desert Fox, alternate title of The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel, a 1951 movie about Rommel...
and desert cat can also be spotted along with typical
avifaunaThe term avifauna can be used in one of two senses:* to mean "bird fauna" i.e. the bird species found in a particular geographic region...
such as
partridgePartridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East...
and sand grouse.
Wildlife
Rajasthan is also famous for National Parks and
WildlifeWildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals, and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
Sanctuaries. There are four national park and wildlife sanctuaries named the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary,
Ranthambore National ParkRanthambore National Park is one of the largest and most famous national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 130 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport...
, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and
Desert National ParkDesert National Park, Rajasthan, India, is situated in the west Indian state of Rajasthan near the town of Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km². The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert. Sand dunes form...
.
Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary both are known worldwide for their tiger population and considered by both wild lovers and photographers as the best places in India to spot tigers. Besides, it houses several small wildlife sanctuaries and eco-tourism parks . Prominent among them are Mount Abu Sanctuary, Bhensrod Garh Sanctuary,
Darrah SanctuaryDarrah National Park in Rajasthan, India is a national park established in 2004 consisting of three wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan - Darrah WLS, Chambal WLS and Jaswant Sagar WLS. The national park contains large tracts of forests formerly part of the Maharaja of Kota's hunting grounds...
, Jaisamand Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary, and Jawahar Sagar sanctuary etc.
Transport
Rajasthan is connected by many national highways. Most renowned being NH 8, which is India's first 4-8 lane highway. Rajasthan also has a good inter city surface transport system both in terms of railways and bus network. All important and tourist cities are connected by air, rail and road.
By Air: There are three main airports at Rajasthan- Jaipur airport, Udaipur airport and Jodhpur airport. These airports connect Rajasthan with the major cities of India such as Delhi and Mumbai.
By Rail: Rajasthan is well connected with the main cities of India by rail. Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur and Jodhpur are the main railway stations in Rajasthan.
By Road: Rajasthan is well connected to the main cities of the country by State and National Highways.
Districts
Rajasthan is divided into 33 districts and seven divisions:
- Ajmer Division: Ajmer
Ajmer District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city of Ajmer is the district headquarters.Ajmer District has an area of 8,481 km², and a population of 2,180,526...
, BhilwaraBhilwara District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Bhilwara is the district headquarters.-Geography and Demographics:...
, NagaurNagaur District is one of the 32 districts of the state of Rajasthan in western India.Area of the district is 17,718 km2. The city of Nagaur is the district headquarters.-Geography:...
, TonkTonk District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city of Tonk is the administrative headquarters of the district. The district is bounded on the north by Jaipur District, on the east by Sawai Madhopur District, on the southeast by Kota District, on the south by Bundi...
.
- Bharatpur Division: Bharatpur
Bharatpur District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Bharatpur is the district headquarters. The district has an area of 5,066 km²...
, DholpurDholpur District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Dholpur is the district headquarters.Dholpur District has an area of 3084 km². The Chambal River forms the southern boundary of the district, across which lies the state of Madhya Pradesh...
, KarauliKarauli District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Karauli is the district headquarters. The district of Karauli encompasses an area of 5530 km². It is bordered by Dholpur District to the east; by Bharatpur District to the north-east; by Dausa District to the...
, Sawai MadhopurSawai Madhopur District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. Sawai Madhopur is the chief town and district headquarters. The district has an area of 4500 km², and a population of 6676, with a population density of 248 persons per km²...
.
- Bikaner Division: Bikaner
Bikaner District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The historic city of Bikaner is the district headquarters.Bikaner is also Division with the four district: Bikaner, Churu, Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh-Geography:...
, ChuruChuru is a district of Rajasthan state of western India. The town of Churu is the administrative headquarters of the district.Churu lies in the Jangladesh region of northern Rajasthan...
, GanganagarGanganagar District is a northern most district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Sri Ganganagar is the district headquarter.-History:...
, HanumangarhHanumangarh District is a district of Rajasthan state of western India. The town of Hanumangarh is the district headquarters.-District Profile:...
.
- Jaipur Division: Jaipur
Jaipur District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city of Jaipur, which is Rajasthan's capital and largest city, is the district headquarters....
, AlwarAlwar District is a district in Rajasthan, a state in northern India, with capital in the city of Alwar.The district is bounded on the north by Haryana state, and on the east by Bharatpur, on the south by Dausa, and on the west by Jaipur districts....
, JhunjhunuJhunjhunu district or Jhunjhunun district is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Jhunjhunu is the district headquarters....
, SikarSikar District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Sikar is the district headquarters.-Location:The district is located in the north-eastern part of the state of Rajasthan. It is bounded on the north by Jhunjhunu District, in the north-west by Churu district, in...
, DausaDausa District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The city of Dausa is the district headquarters. Dausa District has a population of 1,316,790 , an area of 2950 km², and a population density of 384 persons per km² with 62.75 % literacy rate...
.
- Jodhpur Division: Barmer
Barmer is a district of Rajasthan state, India. Barmer is the district headquarters. Balotra, Guda Malani, Baytu, Siwana , Jasol and Chohatan are other major towns.-Geography:...
, JaisalmerJaisalmer District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The city of Jaisalmer is the administrative headquarters of the district.-Geography:It is the largest district of Rajasthan and third largest in the country in area....
, Jalore, Jodhpur DistrictJodhpur District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city of Jodhpur is the administrative headquarters of the district.-Geography:The district is located in the western Rajasthan of India...
, PaliPali District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Pali is the district headquarters.-History:...
, SirohiSirohi District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Sirohi is the district headquarters.-Demographics:The district had a population of 850,756 , with a population density of 166 persons per km²....
.
- Kota Division: Baran
Baran District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Baran is the district headquarters.The district has an area of 6955.4 km², and a population of 1,021,653 . It is bounded on the north and east by Madhya Pradesh state, on the south and southwest by Jhalawar...
, BundiBundi District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Bundi is the district headquarters. It has an area of 5,550 km² and a population of 9,610,269 . It is bordered to the north by Tonk District, to the west by Bhilwara District and to the southwest by Chittorgarh...
, JhalawarJhalawar district is one of the 33 districts of Rajasthan state in western India. The district is bounded on the northwest by Kota district, on the northeast by Baran district, on the east by Guna district of Madhya Pradesh state, on the south by Rajgarh and Shajapur districts of Madhya Pradesh...
, KotaKota District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city of Kota is the administrative headquarters of the district.The district is bounded on the north by Bundi District, on the east by Bara District, on the south by Jhalawar District, and on the west by Chittorgarh District...
.
- Udaipur Division: Banswara District
Banswara is a city in Banswara District in south Rajasthan in India. Banswara princely state was founded by Maharawal Jagmal Singh. It gets the name from dominance of "bans" or bamboo forests. It is also known as 'City of Hundred Islands', due to presence of numerous islands in the Mahi River,...
, Chittorgarh DistrictChittorgarh is a city and amunicipality in Rajasthan state of western India. It lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgharh District and a former capital of the Sisodia clans of Rajput and of Mewar.Fiercely independent, the fort of...
, Pratapgarh DistrictPratapgarh may refer to the following places in India:Cities and towns:* Pratapgarh, Rajasthan* Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh* Pratapgarh, TripuraDistricts:* Pratapgarh district * Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh...
, Dungarpur DistrictDungarpur is a city in the southernmost part of Rajasthan state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dungarpur District. The rail line between Udaipur and Himatnagar in Gujarat runs through the town, shortest distance to the National Highway 8 from Dungapur town is...
, UdaipurUdaipur District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The historic city of Udaipur is the administrative headquarters of the district....
, RajsamandRajsamand District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India.The town of Rajsamand is the district headquarters. The city and district are named for Rajsamand Lake, an artificial lake created in the 17th century by Rana Raj Singh of Mewar...
Statistics
- Population: 56.47 million (2001 Census, estimated at more than 58 million now)
- Cities and Towns: 222
- Major cities: Jaipur
Jaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. Jaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur...
, JodhpurJodhpur , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, it was the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar...
, Udaipur, KotaKota formerly known as Kotah, is a city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. Situated on the banks of Chambal River, the city is the trade centre for an area in which cotton, millet, wheat, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving,...
, AjmerThis article is about a city in central Rajasthan, for the historical region, see Ajmer region.Ajmer , formerly written Ajmere, is a city in Ajmer District in India's Rajasthan state. Ajmer is a very beautiful city, surrounded by the spectacular Aravalli Mountains. Ajmer, also known as Ajaymeru,...
, BikanerBikaner is a District in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in northern India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins...
, ChuruChuru is a town in the desert region of Rajasthan state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Churu District. It lies in the Thar Desert on the National Highway-65 connecting Pali to Ambala and is a junction station on the railway line to Bikaner...
, BharatpurBharatpur is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. Located in Mewat region, Bharatpur was once an impregnable, well-fortified city, and the capital of a kingdom ruled by Jat maharajas. The trio of Bharatpur, Deeg and Dholpur has played an important...
, BhilwaraBhilwara is a city in Mewar region of Rajasthan, India, 600 km from Delhi. It is the administrative seat of Bhilwara District.- History :...
, AlwarAlwar is a city in the Rajasthan state of western India. It is the administrative headquarters of Alwar District, and was formerly the capital of the princely state of Alwar or Ulwar in British India. The city is located around 160 km south of Delhi, and around 150 km north of Jaipur...
, Sri Ganganagar ,PaliPali is a town in Rajasthan state of western India. Located in the Marwar region, Pali is the administrative headquarters of Pali District. It is situated on the bank of the river Bandi and is 72 km south east of Jodhpur.-History:...
,MakranaMakrana is a town in the Nagaur district of Indian state of Rajasthan. Makrana is famous for the white marble mined from the mines around it. It is said that the Taj Mahal was built from Makrana marble. Makrana is a small town, but it has plenty of marble outcrops. Most of the residents in this...
, BundiBundi is a city and a municipality of approximately 88,000 inhabitants in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan state in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris...
,chittorgarhChittorgarh is a city and amunicipality in Rajasthan state of western India. It lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgharh District and a former capital of the Sisodia clans of Rajput and of Mewar.Fiercely independent, the fort of...
, DidwanaDidwana is a town in Nagaur district of Rajasthan in India. It lies in the Thar Desert. It was founded by Jats of Dudi clan. The town is considered more than 5,000 years old and is closely associated with conversion of Rajput clan into a businessmen clan by the blessings of Lord Mahesh and with...
, SujangarhSujangarh is a town in Churu district located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan state in India. Sujangarh is situated on Jaipur - Bikaner Highway . It is 200 km away from the Jaipur, 150 km from Bikaner and 360 km from Delhi.It is known for its temples, havelis and 18th century forts...
, NagaurNagaur is a city in the state of Rajasthan in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Nagaur District. The Nagaur city lies about midway between Jodhpur and Bikaner. It was founded by the Naga Kshatriyas. It is also known as the village "Khatwan"....
, SikarSikar is a District located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan state in India.This is second most developed District in rajasthan after Jaipur. It is the administrative headquarters of Sikar District. Sikar is situated midway between Bikaner and Agra on National Highway number 11. Sikar is a...
, BalotraBalotra is a town in Barmer District of Rajasthan state in India. It is about 100 km from Jodhpur. The first modern settlement was brought up by Vaala Ji Rajpurohit from whom the town derives its name from. His clan first established their residence in the Chhatrion ka Morcha locality of...
,Kuchaman
- Roads: 61,520 km. ( 2,846 km National Highway)
- National highways crossing Rajasthan: Delhi-Ahmedabad, Agra-Bikaner, Jaipur-Bhopal and Bhatinda-Kandla
- Climate: Generally dry with monsoon during July-August
- Districts: 33
- Languages: English and Hindi commonly used, as well as indigenous Rajasthani language
Rajasthani is a language or language cluster of the Indo-Aryan languages family. It is spoken by 36 million people in Rajasthan and other states of India and in some adjacent areas of Pakistan. The number of speakers may be up to 80 million worldwide...
s
- Literacy: 61.03%
External links