HISTORY AND CULTURE OF RAJASTHAN

History andCulture of RajasthanTemples and Architecture of Rajasthan

• Revolt of 1857 of Rajasthan

• Paintings of Rajasthan

• Rajasthan: Language and Literature

• Integration of Rajasthan

• History and Battles of Rajasthan

• Forts of Rajasthan

• Rajasthan: Handicrafts

• Rajasthan: Folk Dances and Music

• Rajasthan: Worker and Peasant Movements

• PRE HISTORY of Rajasthan

• PRESS & MAGAZINES of Rajasthan

• Modern history of Rajasthan after Independence

• ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES of Rajasthan

• Important Tourist Places.

• Salient features of Architecture – Forts and Monuments

• Religion and Social Reformers

• Freedom Movement , Political Awakening and Integration

• RAJASTHAN ; HISTORY OF CHAUHAN

• Kachwa Rulers of Amer

• RAJASTHAN; HISTORY OF RATHORE

• Rajasthan : History of Mevar

• Major Landmarks in the History of Rajasthan, Major Dynasties, their Administrative and

Revenue System.Socio-cultural Issues.

• Religious Movements, Saints& Lok devtas of Rajasthan.

• Fairs, Festivals, Folk Music and Folk Dances.

• Rajsathani Culture, Traditions and Heritage.

• Rajasthani Languages & Literature

• Rajasthan Art and Handicraft

• Rajasthan Paintings

• Rathore of Marwad

• Rajasthan : History of Mevar

• Rajasthani Literature

• Rajasthani Languages

• Rajasthan : Pre Independence Kingdoms

• Rajasthan : Ancient Civilizations

• Folk music & Dance of Rajasthan

• Festivals of Rajasthan

• Fairs of Rajasthan

• Major Tribal Comunities of Rajasthan

• Unification of Rajasthan in seven stagesARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES of Rajasthan

• Modern history of Rajasthan after Independence

• PRESS & MAGAZINES of Rajasthan

• PRE HISTORY of Rajasthan

• Rajasthan: Worker and Peasant Movements

• Rajasthan: Folk Dances and Music

• Rajasthan: Handicrafts

• Forts of Rajasthan

• History and Battles of Rajasthan

• Integration of Rajasthan

• Rajasthan: Language and Literature

• Paintings of Rajasthan

• Revolt of 1857 of Rajasthan

• Temples and Architecture of Rajasthan

Temples and Architecture of Rajasthan1) The Rajasthan architecture is significantly depend on Rajput architecture school which was mixture

of mughal and Hindu structural design. Grand havelis, astonishing forts and elaborately carved

temples are the vital portion of architectural heritage of Rajasthan. Rajput’s carries the credit of

creative builders. Few of most striking and splendid forts along with palaces with parched Aravali land

clearly depicts history of Rajasthan’s celebrated heritage.

2) Rajasthan architecture arouses from Rajput School of Architecture, a perfect mixture of Hindu and

Mughal structural pattern. The state of Rajasthan hosts few of splendid palaces and forts of the whole

world. Ornamented havelis, elaborately carved temples and also magnificent forts are section of the

Rajasthan’s architectural heritage. The artistic builders of Rajput designed major architectural styles

which are located in cities like Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The most significant

architectural designs in Rajasthan include Jantar Mantar, Dilwara Temples, Lake Palace Hotel, City

Palaces, Chittorgarh Fort and Jaisalmer Havelis.

3) Rajasthan, one of the largest states of our country is well known for their historically important

monuments. The state of Rajasthan was the major regional capital of Indus Valley Civilization.

Conventionally Bhils, Rajputs, Yadavs, Jats, Gujjars and various other tribal people delivered

momentous contribution in constructing Rajasthan state. The state was earlier called as Rajputana

and served as princely state lawed by Rajputs. Present state of Rajasthan comprises number of Jat

kingdoms, Rajput kingdoms and also Mughal Kingdom. The palaces and forts present in Rajasthan

are decorated by Jain and Muslim architecture. Rajasthan’s structural design is generally secular with

great motivation from Mughals whereas the latest architecture carries the touch of European interiors.

4) The outstanding Rajput architecture present in Rajasthan lies in Deeg palace. Deeg palace is

encircled by large area of gardens based on garden architecture of Mughals. Jaipur palaces carry

strong Islam influence. Rajasthan palaces are designed in Islamic fashion and all the palaces were

declared Islamic names. One example is Hawa Mahal. This palace is constructed inside the

conventional mansion of Rajasthan but not similar to the residential portion of Mughal palaces. The

chambers meant for administrative, residential and court functions are constructed inside the multi-

storied barrier. Jantar Mandar present in Jaipur is a breathtaking architectural monument. The place

was constructed based on the essentials of natural sciences with unique architectural marvel which is

more than home in modern era. The northern border of Jaipur city carries Royal Tombs which also

includes Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. With a strong effect of Islamic influences several Rajputs

initiated the process of constructing tombs even though they belong to Hindu religion, they are known

as empty commemoratives. The tombs with the design of open umbrella are uniqueness of their

architecture.

5) The Ajmer city carries maximum influence of Islamic architecture. The significant monuments in

Ajmer city include Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti possessing various white marble

edifices placed around the two courtyards with a gigantic gate contributed by the Hyderabad Nizam, a

mosque donated by Shah Jahan along with Akbari mosque. One can witness Hindu architecture in

Pushkar in the form of various temples and Ghats. The magnificent temples arranged in a fashion with

a touch of Islamic architecture, are unique in their style.

6) At the time of British reign, Rajputs were highly inspired by British rulers and the effect was seen in

their architecture too. The buildings constructed by architects can be easily traced in the city of Jaipur.

One such example is the Ranbag Palace which was constructed in Indo-Saracenic fashion is running

as high class hotel now. Balsamad Lake Palace located at Jodhpur constructed during nineteenth

century serves as summer palace designed in European style carrying a mughal style garden in front

of man-made lake.

7) The Rajasthan architecture is an outstanding arrangement of colonial, Islamic and Hindu

architecture. Rajasthan stays as one among the major tourist spot in India carrying a lavish

architectural heritage.

Important Artifacts of Rajasthan Architecture

a) Haveli

Between the years of 1830 and 1930, well heeled Marwaris built gigantic buildings in Narwar and

Shekhawati region. The mansions are known as Havelis. These Havelis carry architecture of Mughal

in their style. The Shekhawati haveli consists of two courtyards. The outer courtyard meant for men

whereas inner courtyard was occupied by women. Havelis also carries marvelous and breath-taking

frescoes which are surrounded all sides with a single main gate. This barrier provides good security

and calm totally separated from the external environment.

b) Chhatri

Located in Rajasthan, the Chhatris are the elevated pavilions in dome shape and are the best

illustrations of the architecture of Rajasthan. The Chhatri stands as a symbol of honour and pride. The

Shekhawati area of Rajasthan holds chhatris in the place meant for cremation of distinguished and

wealthy personalities. Chhatris present in Shekhawati are generally simple structure with single dome

built inside four pillars of a mansion carrying several domes along with a basement containing various

rooms. There are various significant chhatris present in cities of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Haldighati, Udaipur,

Bikaner etc.

c) Jharokha

Jharokha is the form of overhanging enfolded balcony generally witnessed in temples, havelis and

palaces situated in Rajasthan. The Jharokha balcony is basically stone window. Jharokhas projects

from wall plane and are generally employed for additional architectural beauty to the mansions or for

any other specific reasons. During earlier days, women with purdah use to visualize outside events by

hiding themselves inside this dress. The overhanging balcony is a vital structure of Rajasthani

architecture fulfilling the duty as decoration instrument and also as a sight-seeing platform. There are

many Jharokhas carrying chhajjas with them.

d) Stepwell

Stepwell otherwise known as bawdi is nothing but a pond or well where water can be filled by climbing

downwards on a batch of steps. Bawdis are quite common in the western part of India particularly in

Gujarat and Rajasthan. These Stepwells date back to several hundreds of years. During olden days,

constructors made very deep trenches into our earth to get dependable groundwater all through the

year. The fences of the trenches were made up of stoneblocks with the absence of mortar. There are

also stairs to reach water body. Most of the living stepwells originally acted as leisure spots besides

providing water. Bundi city situated near Kota carries approximately sixty stepwells.

Hindu and Jain Temples of Rajasthan

Hinduism and Jainism were both influential in Rajasthan and they are the predominant religions of this

state. As a result, the beliefs and faiths of Hinduism as well as Jainism are reflected to a larger extent

through the architectural constructs of Rajasthan. The feelings of devotion, bliss, rites, rituals,

superstitions and sacrifice, all amalgamate in the magnificent temples of Rajasthan.

a) Brahma Temple

The Brahma Temple is located in Pushkar. It is dedicated to the Hindugod of creation, Lord Brahma.

One will be able to see the idol of the sacred Goose at the entrance of this temple. The sacred Goose

is recognized as the vahana of Lord Brahma. This temple is made of marble and silver coins bedeck

its interior.

b) Eklingji Temple

Eklingji Temple is located in the town of Kailashpuri, about 22 kilometers from Udaipur on national

highway 8. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The most noteworthy aspect of this temple is the

four-faced idol of Eklingji (Lord Shiva) that is made of black marble. This figure has a height of about

50 feet and the four faces depict the four aspects of Lord Shiva. Shivratri is the festival celebrated in

this temple. This temple also has idols of Goddess Saraswati and Yamuna and Lord Ganesha and

Kartikeya. It can be said that the Eklingji temple symbolizes Hindu faith and belief through its

architecture.

c) Dwarkadhish Temple of Kankroli

Dwarkadhish Temple of Kankroli is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Nathdwara located in the

Kankroli Village. This temple also famous as ‘Kankroli Temple’. Hindu deity Krishna is the sole deity of

this beautiful temple. Here the red stone idol of the deity is praise with full devotion and dedication.

Many believe that red stone idol of Lord Krishna had been brought from Mathura. Maharana Raj Singh

I built the temple in 1676. This temple belongs to Vaishnavas and the Vallabhacharya sects.

d) Varah Temple

Varah Temple is located in Pushkar. This temple is dedicated to Varah (wild boar), an incarnation of

Lord Vishnu. This temple was built in the 12th century by a king named, Anaji Chauhan. It is known

that this temple was subjected to destruction and renovated several times. Varah Temple serves as a

home to a huge white idol of Lord Varaha along with carvings, sculptures, gold styled pillars depicting

Garuda, the mythical bird and life-size statues of door men. Varah Temple is considered to be one of

the largest and oldest temples in Pushkar

e) Karni Mata Temple

Karni Mata Temple is situated in Bikaner. It is also known by the other name of Nari Mata Temple and

is dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation of goddess Durga. In the temple, one will be able to see the

idol of Karni Mata wielding a trishul (trident) in her hand. A plethora of rats will be evident to the visitors

in this temple. These rats move freely in the temple and are believed to be the reincarnations of Karni

Mata and her sons.

f ) Kaila Devi Temple

Kaila Devi in Karauli temple is a Hindu religion temple, known to be one of the 9 Shakti peeths of

goddess Durga. Located on the banks of Kalisil river at a distance of 23 km from the Karauli city.

Goddess Kaila Devi is diety of the temple and millions of people visit it every year. Goddess Kaila is

believed as the protector and savior of mankind. Built by the princely Jadaun Rajput rulers of the

Karauli empire.

Maharaja Gopal Singh Ji laid the foundation of the temple in 1723 and the work was completed in

1730.

g) Savitri Temple

Savitri Temple is also located in Pushkar. This temple is dedicated to goddess Savitri, the first wife and

consort of Lord Brahma. This temple is a fine representation of marble architecture.

h) Surya Narayana Temple

Surya Narayana Temple is the beautiful Lord Sun temple which is known for its unique and marvelous

architectural design. Surya Narayana was constructed in the 15th century AD. There is a tower over

the altar of the temple which has numerous projections of circular plan. Smaller protruding niches on

the base of the tower has the sanctum which is laid on an octagonal plan with six porches.

i) Sun Temple

Sun Temple of Ranakpur is a famous Sun or Surya temple well known as the Surya Narayan Temple.

This 13th centry temple was rebuilt in 15th century after destruction. Sun temple is bilt with white lime

stone in Nagara style with a delicate ornamented work.

Sun Narayan temple recieves many devotees from all around the country who came for the blessings

of Lord Sun. Many devotees also visit the nearby temple of Amba Mata. This Sun temple is managed

by the Udaipur Royal family trust.

j) Birla Mandir

Birla Mandir is located in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. It is also known by the other name of

Lakshmi Narayan Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi. This temple

was built in the year 1988. This temple is one of the major tourist attractions of Rajasthan. Birla Mandir

has been built with the finest quality of marble in the most contemporary style.

Other Hindu Temples of Rajasthan

Some of the other Hindu temples of Rajasthan are Avari Mata Temple, Bhomiaji Maharaj Temple,

Dadhimati Mata Temple, Garh Ganesh Temple, Kunjal Mata Temple and Jagat Shiromani Temple.

Jain temples

a) Dilwara Temples

The Dilwara Temples are located about 2.5 kilometers from Mount Abu. There are 5 Dilwara Temples

in Rajasthan namely, the Vimal Vasahi, Pithalhar, Mahaveer Swami, Luna Vasahi and Khartar Vasahi.

They are dedicated to Jain Tirthankars. They were constructed in 11th and 13th centuries AD. All these

temples reflect excellent architectural work. They are made of white marble. The unique feature of the

temples is a combination of simplicity and exquisiteness. The Dilwara Temples are surrounded by

mango trees and hills which add to the magnificence of these temples.

b) Ranakpur Jain Temples

Ranakpur Jain Temples are located in the Pali District of Rajasthan. These temples are renowned for

their architecture. Among the Ranakpur Temples, the main temple is Chamukha Temple. It is

dedicated to Tirthankara, Rishabdeo. The temple houses a four-faced figure of Rishabdeo. The

columns of the temple are known for their intricately carved designs and also serve as specimens of

the art and architecture that prevailed in Rajasthan during the yester years.

c) Mahavir ji Temple

Mahavir ji Temple of Rajasthan is known to be among the holiest pilgrimages of Rajasthan. This

temple overlooks the River Gambhir and is dedicated to Lord Mahavira. It is made of white marble.

Other Jain Temples of Rajasthan

Some of the other Jain Temples which occupy an integral position in the land of Rajasthan are the

Osiyan Temple, Rajasthan Jain Temple and Juna Temple.

Revolt of 1857 of Rajasthan

During the 1857 several Rajputs of Rajasthan were against the British Government. They were not

satisfied with the rule of the Britishers, and the seeds of revolution started to emerge against the

government. Common public also joined them. In many areas of Rajasthan, there was a flame of

revolt in which the following names are notable.

•Nasirabad

First of all, this revolt was started in Nasirabad. The main reason behind this was that the British

government sent Ajmer’s 15th Bengal Infantry to Nasirabad because government had no faith in this

Infantry. All the soldiers were angry with this decision of the government and they started the

revolution against the British government. In addition, the British Government summoned the soldiers

of Bombay to Nasirabad and asked them to investigate the whole army.The British government had

made many cannons in Nasirabad. The soldiers of Nasirabad got angry from this and they rebelled.

The army killed many Britishers as well as destroyed their property. These soldiers was joined by other

people too.

This place was named for British officer Sir David Ochterlony, after Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II

awarded him with the title of Nasir-ud-Daula (“Defender of the State”). The city is renowned for the

cantonment area where several officers and army personnel were posted.

•Neemuch

After the news of the incident of Nasirabad, on 3 June 1857 Neemuch’s rebels killed many Britishers.

Consequently, britishers also planned to take revenge. They took control of Neemuch on June 7. Later

the rebels started moving towards other areas of Rajasthan.

•Jodhpur

Some people were angry with the rule of King Takhat Singh and one day the soldiers revolted agains

him. He was accompanied by the anti-British Kushal Singh of Auwa.

To face Kushal Singh, Jodhpur’s army came with Lieutenant Heathkot but Kushal Singh defeated

them. Later the British army tried to invade the fort of Auwa, but they also had to face the defeat but

Briggedior Homs wanted to take revenge for that defeat, so he attacked Auwa. Now Kushal left the fort

and went to Salumbar. A few days later, the British took control over Auwa and spread terror there.

•Mewar

The emperors of Mewar were angry with the Britishers and the Maharana. There were mutual conflicts

among them. Maharana ordered the feudalists of Mewar to help the Britishers. At the same time

Rawat Kesari Singh of Salumbar warned Maharana of Udaipur that if his customary rights were not

accepted in eight days, then he would make their opponents as the ruler of Mewar. Rawat Kesari

Singh of Salumbar gave shelter to Thakur Kushal Singh of Auwa. At the same time, the Tantia Tope

travelled towards Rajputana. In 1859 Man Singh of Narwar cheated him and arrested him. Although

the feudalists did not rebel directly to the British government but giving shelter to the rebels, they

played an important role in this revolution.

•Kota

British officer Major Burton told the Maharaja of Kota that two- four anti british opponent officers should

be handed over to the British Government. But when the Maharaja expressed his inability to do this

work, the British accused the Maharaja that he supported the rebels. As soon as the news came, the

soldiers killed Major Burton. The rebels surrounded the king’s palace, and then the king sought the

help of the ruler of Karauli. The ruler of Karauli collaborated and pushed the rebels behind the castle.

At the same time, General H.G.Roberts along with the army reached the banks of the river Chambal.

Rebels fled from Kota after facing him.

•Rebellion in other areas of the state

Many of Alwar’s leaders participated in this revolt. In Jaipur, Usman Khan and Sadullah Khan revolted.

The soldiers rebelled in Tonk and invited Neemuch’s rebels to come to Tonk. They trapped Tonk’s

Nawab and collected the dues from him. Similarly, Bikaner’s ruler had assured to Nana Sahab for

assistance and sent 10000

cavalry soldiers to help Tatia tope. Although most of the rulers of Rajasthan remained loyal to the

British during the entire rebellion, yet due to the pressure of the rebels, they had to support the

insurgents sometimes.

Events of the Revolt in Rajasthan

Sr. Place and Date of Rebellion

1Nasirabad, 28 May 1857

2Neemuch, 3 June 1857

3 Erinpura, 21 August 1857

4 August, 4, 1857

5 Devli Cantonment, June 1857

6 Bharatpur, 31 May 1857

7 Alwar, 11 July 1857

8 Dhaulpur, October 1857

9 Tonk, june 1857

10 Kota, 15 October 1857

11Central prison of Ajmer, August 1857

12 Jodhpur Legion, 8 September 1857

First spark in Rajasthan

In this unique revolution-sacrifice, the sons of the princess also offered their peace. Like other centers

of the country in Rajasthan, freedom fighters started from the military camps. At that time, the British

had made six military cantonments in Rajputana. The most important camp was Nasirabad. Other

cantonments were – Neemuch, Beawar, Devli (Tonk), Erinpura (Jodhpur) and Khairwada (100 km

away from Udaipur). With the help of these cantonments, the British had occupied almost all the kings

of Rajputana. Except of the two-four kingdoms, all the dynasties had made a treaty with the Britishers.

Indian soldiers were adequate in these cantonments and the message of blood lotus and roti had

come to them.

Reasons of the failure of revolt

The main reasons for the failure of the revolt in Rajasthan were:

(1) Indigenous rulers were short-sighted, they were devotees of the British, so they did not support

rebels.

(2) There was no definite leader of the rebels; in addition they lacked unity and organization.

(3) The rebels were not as skilled as the British in battle.

Results of revolt

During the rebellion, the British were helped by the native rulers, so after the suppression of the

rebellion, the British gave them titles and awards. Since the feudalism was done primarily by the

feudalists, the British decided to destroy the power of the feudal system through various methods after

the dissolution of the war. During the rebellion period, the British had to face great discomfort in

sending their army from one place to another. Thus, after the dissolution, in 1865 AD, the road of

Deesa for Jaipur to Ajmer and Nisirabad to Chittaur via neemach was constructed.

After the coup, there was a change in the traditional social structure of Rajasthan. Modern education

was disseminated after the suppression of revolt and the English rules were executed in all the states,

due to which the importance of Brahmins was reduced. This revolt created a new consciousness and

awakening in the public. Thus the results of the rebellion were of great importance.

Nature of revolt

According to Shri Nathuram Kharagawat, “The general public also participated directly or indirectly in

this enmity.”

Paintings of Rajasthan

The paintings of Rajasthan have two different colors to their style — the former school of

miniature paintings whose growth intensified in courts all over north India and the Deccan, and the

folk style which is unique to Rajasthan. The glorious 16th century saw the rise in different schools of

paintings such as the Mewar school, the Bundi-Kota Kalam, the Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishengarh and the

Marwar schools. Miniature paintings are made in Mughal or Rajasthani styles. The Rajasthani

miniatures are different from the Mughal ones in terms of color and compositions. They use bright

colors and bold compositions and touch several themes such as the kings, religion, and secular

whereas the Mughal miniatures were restricted to court scenes and emperors. The most admired

Rajasthani painting is one depicting Krishna Leela. Pichhwais of Nathdwara are purely dedicated to

Lord Krishna.

The Rajasthani Paintings are broadly of two type viz. Courtly and Literary. The paintings of courtly

type include the portraits of the rulers holding different states of Rajputana. Most of these rulers have

been depicted either as holding the courts or doing some past time such as hunting. The literary

paintings on the other hand show the intimate connection with the poetry. These are the illustrated

versions of some of the important literary works such as Amar-Sataka, Sur Sagara, Rasamanjari,

Rasikpriya etc.

Factors leading to development

Two major factors contributed greatly to the development of Rajasthani Paintings. First, the

commercial community of Rajputana was economically prosperous. Second, the revival of

‘Vaisnavism’ and the growth of Bhakti cult provided a direction to the development of a distinct school.

The folk style of paintings is divided into two styles. Phads—they are in the form of a scroll painted on

a big canvas. They depict the legends of Pabuji Ramdeo of the Rabari tribe, and his black mare. The

colors used are bright orange, red and black. Pichwais—they are decorative curtain cloths used as a

background for divine images or idols in a place of worship. The styles vary from brocaded, block

printed, embroidered or golden thread work.

Rajasthani painting consists of four principal schools that have within them several artistic styles and

substyles that can be traced to the various princely states that patronised these artists. The four

principal schools are as follows:

1.The Mewars School that contains the Chavand,Nathdwara,Devgarh,Udaipur and Sawar styles of

painting.

2.The Marwar school comprising the Kishangarh,Bikaner,Jodhpur,Nagaur,Pali and Ghanerao styles

3.The Hadoti school with the Kota,Bundi and Jhalawar styles and

4.The Dhundar school of Amber, Jaipur, Shekhawati and Uniara styles of painting.

Mewār painting, one of the most important schools of Indian miniature painting of the 17th and 18th

centuries. It is a school in the Rājasthanī style and was developed in the Hindu principality of Mewār

(in Rājasthān state). The works of the school are characterized by simple bright colour and direct

emotional appeal. The comparatively large number

of paintings to which dates and places of origin can

be ascribed make possible a

more comprehensive picture of the development

of painting in Mewār than in any other Rājasthanī

school. The earliest-dated examples come from

a rāgamālā (musical modes) series painted in 1605

at Chawand, an early capital of the state. This expressive and vigorous style continued with some

variations through 1680, after which time Mughal influence became more apparent. One of the

outstanding painters of the early phase was the artist Sāhibdīn.

The Mewār school continued through the 18th century and into the 19th, the production being

fairly prolific. An increasing number of paintings were concerned with portraiture and the life of the

ruler, though religious themes continued to be popular.

Būndi painting, important school of the Rājasthanī style of Indian miniature painting that lasted from

the 17th to the end of the 19th century in the princely state of Būndi and its neighbouring principality

of Kota.

The earliest examples (c. 1625) show Rājasthanī features, particularly in the depiction of men and

women, but Mughal influence is exceptionally strong. In richness and brilliance Būndi painting has

an affinity also with the painting of the Deccan, an area with which the rulers of Būndi and Kota were

often in contact.

The Būndi school is characterized by a fondness for lush vegetation, dramatic night skies, a distinctive

way of depicting water by light swirls against a dark background, and vivid movement. The school

reached its peak during the first half of the 18th century but continued to flourish into the 19th century

and had a brilliant phase at Kotah during the reign of Rām Singh II (1828–66). These vigorous

paintings depict royal tiger hunts in the thick and hilly jungle of the region and various aspects of the

life of the king.

Mālwa painting, 17th-century school of Rājasthanī miniature painting centred largely in Mālwa and

Bundelkhand (in modern Madhya Pradesh state); it is sometimes referred to as Central Indian painting

on the basis of its geographical distribution. The school was conservative, and little development is

seen from the earliest examples, such as the Rasikapriyā (a poem analyzing the love sentiment)

series dated 1636 and the Amaru Śataka (a Sanskrit poem of the late 17th century), now in the Prince

of Wales Museum of Western India, Bombay. Little is known of the nature of the school in the 18th

century.

Mālwa paintings show a fondness for rigorously flat compositions, black and chocolate-brown

backgrounds, figures shown against a solid colour patch, and architecture painted in lively colour. The

school’s most appealing features are a primitive charm and a simple childlike vision.

Kishangarh painting, 18th-century school of the Rājasthanī style of Indian painting that arose in

the princely state of Kishangarh (central Rājasthān state). The school is clearly distinguished by its

individualistic facial type and its religious intensity. The sensitive, refined features of the men and

women are drawn with pointed noses and chins, deeply curved eyes, and serpentine locks of hair.

Their action is frequently shown to occur in large panoramic landscapes.

Though competent paintings similar in style to late Mughal art were perhaps being done in Kishangarh

at the end of the 17th century, the brilliant series of paintings on the Rādhā–Krishna theme were due

largely to the inspiration of Raja Sāvant Singh (reigned 1748–57). He was a poet, also, who wrote

under the name of Nagari Dās, as well as a devout member of the Vallabhācārya sect, which worships

the lord in his appearance on Earth as Krishna, the divine lover. Sāvant Singh fell in love with a singer

in the employ of his stepmother called Bani Thani (“Lady of Fashion”), and it is speculated that her

features may have been the model for the Kishangarh facial type. The master artist largely responsible

for transmitting the romantic and religious passions of his patron into new and fresh visual images was

Nihal Chand.

Dhundhar is a historical region of Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the districts of Jaipur,

Sawai Madhopur and Tonk. In ancient times, the regions in and around Jaipur were known as

Dhundar. Most parts of Alwar, Jaipur, and Shekhawati are still called Dhundar Pradesh.

The Dhundar school of paintings was much popular for its exclusive folk art paintings.

The miniature paintings of these two centers are superb creations and typically portraying beautiful

women with round faces, large eyes, long neck and pointed nose. The haunting activities of the

erstwhile ruler and emperor’s are depicted in these paintings.

Rajasthan: Language and Literature

Rajasthan is principally a Hindi-speaking region in its various dialects. Rajasthani comprises of five

primary dialects – Marwari, Mewari, Dhundhari, Mewati and Harauti along with several other

forms.

These dialects have been derived as a distortion of the linguistic and orthographical peculiarities of the

language with time. Rajasthani literature faced its worst period during the British Raj period. However,

it is flourishing these days as hundreds of poets and writers have emerged who use the vernacular

form of Rajasthani language as their medium. Rajasthan’s folk literature is rich and varied in its nature

and exists in forms of the folk songs, so famous folklores, witty sayings and proverbs, riddles and

much-treasured folk-plays known as ‘khayals’.

The most common language of Rajasthan is Marwari, spoken mainly in and around Jodhpur district.

The mixed dialects of Marwari are also spoken in Barmer, Jalore, Pali, part of Nagaur district. In the

east, it influences the dialects of Ajmer, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, to the south in Sirohi district

and in the west, it affects the dialects of Jaisalmer district. Bikaner, Churu, Sikar and Jhunjhunu

districts in the north are also influenced by Marwari while in the northwest, it is spoken with Punjabi

influence in the Ganganagar district.

Mewari is actually the eastern form of Marwari used frequently to the southeast of the former princely

state of Mewar, which comprised of Udaipur, Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts, and its neighborhood.

The dialect used in the western parts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Thar and Parkar areas of the former Sind

is called Thali in the north and Dhatak in the west. In Bikaner it is called Bikaneri while in the

northeastern part of Churu, it is known as Bagri.

Jaipuri or Dhundhari, earns a second place in terms of use and covers the districts of Jaipur, Tonk,

Kota, Bundi, parts of Kishangarh, Ajmer and Jhalawar.Mewati is a dialect of Jaipuri to the northeast,

which assumes the form of Braja Bhasha in Bharatpur. Mewati is actually the language of the former

Mewat, the abode of the Meos. Dang is a further sub-dialect of Braja Bhasa in Sawai Madhopur and

Karauli and that of Bundeli and Malvi in Jhalawar and the southern parts of Kota. Kishangarhi is

spoken in Kishangarh and Ajmeri in Ajmer. The dialect spoken in Bundi and Kota is Harauti, which is

also spoken in Jhalwar and Tonk districts.

Malvi of the former Malwa covers parts of the Jhalawar and Kota districts. The Bundeli of Narsinghpur

and central Hoshangabad, the Marathi of Berar and the Nemadi dialect of Rajasthani is spoken in

north Nimach and Bhansawar. The Bhils communicate in Bhili, which is similar to Dungarpur’s and

Banswara’s Bagria form of Rajasthani with the exception of slight variation in the pronunciation.

However, the language structure for both of them is the same.

The development of Rajasthani literature from the bardic language, ‘Dingal’ and virkavya (heroic

poetry) took form in the context of the medieval social and political establishments and shapings in

Rajasthan. For centuries, Caran bards, court poets and chroniclers have added incessantly to the

tradition of Dingal virkavya. In contemporary times even, medieval virkavya as well as still-surviving

oral traditions continue to inspire and invigorate Rajasthani prose and poetry. The maturation and

growth of written and oral Rajasthani narrative literature can be exemplified by a revision of the

medieval and modern tradition of the adventures of Pabuji Dhandhal Rathaur, a 14th century Rajput

gallant. Epic poems and eulogistic couplets consecrated to Pabuji formed an integral part of the Dingal

manuscript tradition from the beginning of the 16th century. The Caran bards had immortalised his

self-sacrifice on the battleground in verses like Pabuji ra duha, Pabuji rau chand and Pabuji ko yash

varnan. The oral merits and virtues of the bardic tradition were held back long after the verses became

an essential ingredient of the manuscript tradition of the locale.

During the pre-Independence scenario, poets in Rajasthani literature had resurrected the Dingal

virkavya to vent out and publicise their anti-British sentiments. Thus, Mahakavi Moraji Ashiya

tremendously lauds Pabuji’s unselfishness in Pabu Prakash (1932), a Dingal poem emoting

incandescent patriotic pathos. After Independence, the Rajput ideals of virkavya testified to well suit to

conveying a nationalist love for the nascent nation. The heart-rending unselfishness of Rajput warriors

on the battlefield (referring to these heroic warriors as tyagi in Rajasthani idiom), for example, were

smoothly translated into a yearning to give one’s life to the motherland. Poets had also eulogised

medieval Rajput gallants and the intimidating freedom fighters in literature in the Rajasthani dialect,

utilising Dingal versifications and bardic idiom.

Rajput Tyagi is equally an element of modern, regional definitions of Rajasthani literary identity. Oral

narratives also serve as a basis of inspiration for Rajasthani prose writers like Vijay Dan Detha (1927).

Vijay Dan Detha is graded amongst Rajasthani pragatishil and pragativad or progressive prose

writers, who convey a modern political, often ‘reformist awareness’ through their compositions. The

interrelated evolvement of written and oral narratives in Rajasthani literature is worth bearing in mind,

when researchers tend to draw a new literary map of the subcontinent. And this perhaps can only be

grasped and assimilated when one looks deep within the framework of the history of Rajasthani

literature and its gradual development that has moved towards glittering maturity from the Rajputana

era to present day patronages.

Major literature of Rajasthani developed in Rajasthani are classified into three styles which are as

follows:-

1.Jain- such as Prithvi Raj charit by Manak Chandra

2.Dingal or Charan- like Prithvi Raj Raso by Chand Bardai, Rao Jaitasirau Chhanda by Vithu Sujo

Nagarjota.

3.Popular- like Veli Krishna Rukmani by Prithvi raj Rathore, Vansh Bhaskar by Surya Mal, Songs of

Meera Bai, Khayal which are dance drama’s

Integration of Rajasthan

Seven Stages of formation of Rajasthan

(1948-1956)

S.No. Name of Group StatesDate of

Integration

01. Matsya UnionAlwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur,

Karauli17-03-1948

02.Rajasthan

Union

Banswara, Bundi, Dungerpur,

Jhalawar, Kishangarh, Kota,

Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Tonk.

25-03-1948

03.United State of

Rajasthan

Udaipur also joined with the other

Union of Rajasthan.18-04-1948

04.

Greater

Rajasthan Bikaner, Jaipur, Jaisalmer &

Jodhpur also joined with the

United State of Rajasthan.

30-03-1949

05.

United State of

Greater

Rajasthan

Matsya Union also merged in

Greater Rajasthan15-05-1949

06.United

Rajasthan

18 States of United Rajasthan

merged with Princely State Sirohi

except Abu and Delwara.

26-01-1950

07.Re-organised

Rajasthan

Under the State Re-organisation

Act, 1956 the erstwhile part ‘C’

State of Ajmer, Abu Road Taluka,

former part of princely State

Sirohi which was merged in

former Bombay, State and Sunel

Tappa region of the former

Madhya Bharat merged with

Rajasthan and Sironj subdistrict

of Jhalawar district was

transferred to Madhya Pradesh.

01-11-1956

•Union Territory in Rajasthan before integration – Ajmer-Merwara

•The oldest princely state of Rajasthan – Udaipur / Mewar

•Rajasthan’s newest state – Jhalawar

•The largest princely state of Rajasthan by area – Jodhpur (Marwar)

•The smallest princely state of Rajasthan by – Shahpura

•The largest of Rajasthan by population – Jaipur

•The smallest princely state by population – Shahpura

•The first princely state that had treaty with British – Karauli (November 15, 1817)

•Second Princely State that had treaty with British – Kota Principality (December,

1817)

•The last principality of Rajasthan that had treaty with British – Sirohi (September, 1823)

•The first state to declare hunting act in Rajasthan – Tonk (in 1901)

•The first principality to issue postage stamps and postcards in Rajasthan- Jaipur(in 1904)

•The first princely state in Rajasthan that made law to secure the protection of wildlife in

Rajasthan – Jodhpur (1910)

•The first principality to pass the Wild Act in Rajasthan – Alwar in 1935

•The first principality to ban education in Rajasthan- Dungarpur

•The first principality to establish a democratic and fully responsive ruler in Rajasthan

-Shahpura

•Principality that does not establish a democratic and fully responsive ruler in Rajasthan-

Jaisalmer principality

•The Jaisalmer principality in Rajasthan is called Andaman of Rajasthan. It was the most

backward state. The principality did not participate in the Quit India movement in 1942.

•At the time of integration in Rajasthan, the princely states of Tonk and Jodhpur wanted to

merge in Pakistan.

•During the integration of Rajasthan, the states of Alwar, Bharatpur and Dhaulpur wanted to

merge in Uttar Pradesh on the basis of linguistic equality

History and Battles of Rajasthan

Ancient era

The ancient civilised history of Rajasthan goes back to 5,000 years ago when in the present day

districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar, along with other areas of jaipur district bordering south Haryana,

which formed the part of Vedic state of Brahmavarta along with districts of Mahendragarh and Rewari

in Haryana, that Vedic seers started composing Vedic scriptures, which form part of Sanatan Dharma,

the base of present day Hinduism. Revered Saraswati and Drishadwati rivers formed the then

Brahmavarta state. Drishadwati river is identified as the Vedic Drishadwati by Bhargava. Parts of

Rajasthan may have been occupied by the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappans). Excavations

at Kalibanga in northern Rajasthan around 1998 revealed the existence of human settlements of

Harappan times on the banks of a river that dried up later, which some people believe to be the

Saraswati, archaeologists hope the Saraswati will unlock mysteries of the past. Rajasthan’s

geographic position in India has caused it to be affected by the expansionist efforts of various empires.

It was a part of the Maurya Empire around 321-184 BCE.

The north-western region of India, which incorporates Rajasthan, remained in early history for the

most part independent from the great empires consolidating their hold onthe subcontinent. Buddhism

failed to make substantial inroads here; the Mauryan Empire (321-184 BC), whose most renowned

emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in262 BC, had minimal impact in Rajasthan. However, there

are Buddhist caves and stupas (Buddhist shrines) at Jhalawar, in southern Rajasthan. Ancient Hindu

scriptural epics make reference to sites in present day Rajasthan. The holy pilgrimage site of Pushkar

is mentioned in both the Mahabharata and Ramayma.

The Ahar culture, also known as the Banas culture is a Chalcolithic archaeological culture on the

banks of Ahar River of southeastern Rajasthan state in India, lasting from c. 3000 to 1500 BCE,

contemporary and adjacent to the Indus Valley Civilization. Situated along the Banas and Berach

Rivers, as well as the Ahar River, the Ahar-Banas people were exploiting the copper ores of

the Aravalli Range to make axes and other artefacts. They were sustained on a number of crops,

including wheat and barley.

Medieval period

Prithviraj Chauhan defeated the invading Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 and in

fifteen further battles before himself being defeated when he was betrayed by one of his own.

After the defeat of Chauhan around 1200, a part of Rajasthan came under Muslim rulers. The principal

centers of their powers were Nagaur and Ajmer. Ranthambhor was also under their suzerainty. At the

beginning of the 13th century, the most prominent and powerful state of Rajasthan was Mewar. The

Rajputs resisted the Muslim incursions into India, although a number of Rajput kingdoms eventually

became subservient to the Delhi Sultanate. Mewar led others in resistance to Muslim rule: Rana

Sanga united the various Rajput clans and fought against the foreign powers in India. Rana

Sanga defeated the Afghan Lodi Empire of Delhi and crushed the Turkic Sultanates of Malwa and

Gujarat. Rana Sanga was later defeated at Khanwa aginst the Mughal Empire because of treachery

from the Tomar king Silhadi.

Akbar arranged matrimonial alliances to gain the trust of Rajput rulers. He himself married the Rajput

princess Jodha Bai, the daughter of the Maharaja of Amer. He also granted high offices to a large

number of Rajput princes and this maintained very cordial relations with them. Before long, these

actions caused many previously hostile Rajputs to be his friends, and many of them surrendered their

kingdoms to him. Rulers like Raja Maan Singh of Amer were trusted allies. However, some Rajput

rulers were not ready to accept Akbar’s dominance and preferred to remain independent. One such

ruler was Raja Uday Singh of Mewar, who founded the city of Udaipur. He never accepted Akbar’s

supremacy and was at constant war with him. Akbar forcefully seized Chittor, his capital. After his

death, this struggle was continued by his son – Rana Pratap. He fought a terrible battle with Akbar at

the Haldighat pass where he was defeated and wounded. Since then Rana Pratap remained in

recluse for 12 years and attacked the Mughal ruler from time to time. He fought valiantly throughout

his life never ceded his independence to the Mughal ruler.

Maratha empire

Since the early 1700s, the Maratha Empire began expanding northwards, led by Peshwa Baji

Rao I of Pune. This expansion finally brought the newly founded Hindu Maratha Empire in

contact with the Rajputs. Rajasthan saw many invasions by the Marathas, under military

leadership of Holkars and Scindhias. Most of

Rajputana passed under the control of

the Maratha Empire and continued to pay tribute to Pune till the British East India

Company replaced the Marathas as paramount rulers.

British Rajasthan

The arrival of the British East India Company in the region led to the administrative designation

of some geographically, culturally, economically and historically diverse areas, which had never

shared a common political identity, under the name of the Rajputana Agency. This was a

significant identifier, being modified later to Rajputana Province and lasting until the renaming

to Rajasthan in 1949. The Company officially recognised various entities, although sources

disagree concerning the details, and also included Ajmer-Merwara, which was the only area

under direct British control. Of these various areas, Marwar and Jaipur were the most

significant in the early 19th-century, although it was Mewar that gained particular attention

from James Tod, a Company employee who was enamoured of Rajputana and wrote

extensively, if often uncritically, of the people, history and geography of the Agency as a whole.

Alliances were formed between the Company and these various princely and chiefly entities in

the early 19th century, accepting British sovereignty in return for local autonomy and

protection from the Marathas. Following the Mughal tradition and more importantly due to its

strategic location Ajmer became a province of British India, while the autonomous Rajput

states, the Muslim state Tonk (princely state), and the Jat states Bharatpur, [Dholpur] were

organized into the Rajputana Agency. In 1817-18, the British Government concluded treaties of

alliance with almost all the states of Rajputana. Thus began the British rule over Rajasthan,

then called Rajputana.

Battles of Rajasthan

Against the Sultanate’s of Dehli, Gujarat and Malwa

•Battle of Ranthambore (1290)– Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji attacked Hammir deo because

of his rising power. Jalaludin’s forces were defeated by Hammir.

•Siege of Jaisalmer (1294-1295)– Alauddin Khalji commanded the Khilji army

under Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji and plundered Jaisalmer after a siege that lasted for a year. For

some years afterwards Jaisalmer remained abandoned before the surviving Bhati’s

reoccupied it.

•Siege of Ranthombore (1301)– Hammiradeva defeated Alauddin Khalji’s generals

Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan; later, Alauddin defeated Hammiradeva.

•Siege of Chittor (1303)– Alauddin Khalji defeated Rawal Ratan Singh (Rani

Padmini and other ladies committed Jauhar)

•Siege of Siwana (1308)– Malik Kamaluddin a general of Alauddin Khalji defeated

Sheetal deo.

•Battle of Jalore (1310–11)– Alauddin Khalji defeated Kanhad deo after a long and

bloody war.

•Battle of Chittor (1321)– Rana Hammir Singh defeated the Tughlaq dynasty and

recovered Mewar.

•Battle of Singoli (1336)– Rana Hammir Singh defeated Muhammad bin Tughluq and

annexed Ajmer, Ranthambhore, Nagor and Shivapuri. The Tughlaq dynasty was forced to

pay 5,000,000 Tankas for the safe passage of their sultan.

•Battle of Mandalgarh and Banas (1442-1446)– A series of battles that took place

between Mahmud Khalji of Malwa and Rana Kumbha of Mewar. bloodied by these

engagements the Sultan did not attack Mewar for another ten years.

•Battle of Nagaur (1456)– Rana Kumbha defeated the combined armies of Shams Khan

(sultan of Nagaur) and Qutbuddin (Sultan of Gujarat) and

captured Nagaur, Kasili, Khandela and shakambhari.

•Battle of Peepar (1492)– Rao Satal defeated Gudhla Khan an Afghan general and

rescued 140 maidens that had been captured. Rao Satal himself died that night of the

wounds received in the battle.

•Battle of Khatoli (1517)– Rana Sanga defeated Ibrahim Lodhi.

•Battle of Dholpur (1519)– Rana Sanga defeated Ibrahim Lodhi.

•Battle of Gagron (1519)– Rana Sanga defeated Mahmud Khalji of Malwa.

•Invasion of Mewar (1520)– Sultan Muzaffar Shah II sent an army under Malik Ayaz but

failed and retreated to Gujarat.

•Battle of Sammel (1544)– Sher Shah Suri’s Pyrrhic victory against the army of Jaita

and Kumpa.

•Battle of Harmada (1557)– Maldeo Rathore defeated Udai Singh II and captured Merta.

Against the Mughal Empire

•Battle of Ajmer (1559)– Akbar’s general Qasim Khan annexed Ajmer from Maldeo

Rathore.

•Battle of Merta(1562) – Akbar with the help

of Rajas from Bikaner and Amer defeated Rao Chandra Sen and advanced towards Jodhpur.

•First Mughal Invasion of Marwar (1562-1583)– Akbar invaded Marwar and

occupied Jodhpur. The ruler Rao Chandra Sen continued his struggle until his death in 1581

after which Marwar submitted to Mughal rule in 1583.

•Siege of Chittorgarh (1567)– Emperor Akbar defeated Rao Jaimal and Patta (Udai

Singh II escaped with his family to Udaipur)

•Siege of Ranthambore (1568)– A successful siege by Mughal Emperor Akbar causes

the Rajput leader Rao Surjan Hada to surrender Ranthambore Fort.

•Battle of Haldighati (1576)– Man Singh (the commander of Akbar) defeated Maharana

Pratap.

•Battle of Dewair (1582)– Maharana Pratap attacked a Mughal stronghold this resulted

in the flight of the Mughal soldiers and the closing of all the 36 Mughal posts in Mewar.

•Battle of Dewar (1606)– Fought in a valley 40 km from Kumbalgarh. Rana Amar

Singh defeated and killed Sultan Khan, the Mughal prince Muhammad Parviz fled from the

battlefield with his commander Asaf Khan.

•Second Mughal Invasion of Marwar (1679-1707)– Auranzeb took Marwar under his

direct control after the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. The Rathore army under Durgadas

Rathore carried out a relentless struggle against the occupying forces. In 1707 after the death

of Aurangzeb, Durgadas defeated the local Mughal force and reoccupied Jodhpur and their

lost territories.

•Battle of Udaipur (1680)– Aurangzeb attacked Mewar and plundered Udaipur, the

citizens were safely escorted to the aravalli hills by Rana Raj Singh but 63 temples in and

around Udaipur were plundered and many villages were burned down by Aurangzebs general

Taj Khan. The Mughal army was eventually starved out of Mewar because of the scorched

earth techniques and guerrilla warfare used by the Rana. Aurangzeb after a failed campaign

left Mewar to his son Akbar and retreated to Ajmer.

•Battle of Aravalli hills (1680)– In the second half of 1680, after several months of such

setbacks, Aurangzeb decided on an all-out offensive. Niccolao Manucci, an Italian gunner in

the Mughal army, says: “for this campaign, Aurangzeb put in pledge the whole of his

kingdom.” Three separate armies, under Aurangzeb’s sons Akbar, Azam and Muazzam,

penetrated the Aravalli hills from different directions. However, their artillery lost its

effectiveness while being dragged around the rugged hills and both Azam and Muazzam were

defeated by the Rajputs under Durgadas Rathore and Rana Raj Singh.

•Battle of Jodhpur (1707)– Durgadas Rathore took advantage of the disturbances

following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 to seize Jodhpur and eventually evict the

occupying Mughal force out of Marwar.

•Battle of Amer (January 1708)– Bahadur Shah I marched with a large army and

annexed Amer without a war.

•Battle of Merta (February 1708)– Bahadur Shah I’s general Mihrab Khan defeated Ajit

Singh of Marwar and once again occupied Jodhpur.

•Rajput Rebellion (September 1708)– The three Rajput Raja’s

of Amber, Udaipur and Jodhpur made a joint resistance to the Mughals. The Rajputs first

expelled the commandants of Jodhpur and Bayana and recovered Amer by a night attack.

They next killed Sayyid Hussain Khan Barha, the commandant of Mewat and many other

officers. Bahadur Shah I, then in the Deccan was forced to patch up a truce with the Rajput

Rajas.

Forts of RajasthanRajasthan is a treasure of history and heritage. The stories of the valor of the Princely clans of the

region are legends. These valiant rulers have been long gone but their legacy still lives. The Forts,

Palaces, Mahals and Temples are reminiscences of the glories of the rulers. The forts built by these

ruling clans are magnificent specimens of military strategy, splendid beauty and historical value.

•Achalgarh is a fort situated about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of Mount Abu. The fort was originally

built by the Paramara dynasty rulers and later reconstructed, renovated and named as Achalgarh

by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE, one of the several forts built during his reign.

•Bala Quilaalso known Alwar fort is a fort

in Alwar. It is situated on a hill in the Aravalli

Range, above the town of Alwar. The fort is 5

kilometres (3.1 mi) long and is about 1.5 kilometres

(0.93 mi) wide. It was built in 15th century by

the Hasan Khan Mewati. In the following centuries

it went to the Marathas, Yadavas,and to

the Kachwaha Rajputs.

•Amer Fortis a fort located in Amer, Rajasthan, India. Amer is a town with an area of 4 square

kilometres (1.5 sq mi) located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Located

high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attraction in the Jaipur area. The town of Amer was originally

built by Meenas and later it was ruled by Raja Man Singh I (December 21, 1550 – July 6, 1614).

This palace, along with Jaigarh Fort, is located immediately above on the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of

Eagles) of the same Aravalli range of hills. The palace and Jaigarh Fort are considered one complex,

as the two are connected by a subterranean passage. This passage was meant as an escape route in

times of war to enable the royal family members and others in the Amer Fort to shift to the more

redoubtable Jaigarh Fort.

•BhainsrorgarhFort or Bhainsror Fort is an ancient fort that has become a major tourist spot in

Rajasthan. The nearest town is Rawatbhata, 7 km from Bhainsror.

Bhainsrorgarh is an impregnable fort, inhabited from at least the 2nd century BC. It is dramatically

positioned between two rivers, the Chambal and Bamani. It had passed through the hands of several

clans before becoming the seat of a premier noble of Mewar, the large region around Udaipur and

Princely State of the Sisodia clan. It contains five tanks, temples to Devi Bhim Chauri, Shiva,

and Ganesh and a palace that is for rent.

Bhainsrorgarh held great importance to the Chundawat clan of Sisodia Rajputs, as it was granted to

Rao Chunda after he renounced the Mewar throne for his yet to be born younger brother. As the eldest

son of Rana Lakha, then ruler of Mewar, Chunda Ji was the heir apparent to the throne of Chittor.

•The Bhangarh Fortis a 17th-century fort built in the Rajasthan state of India. It was built by Man

Singh I (one of the navratnas of Akbar’s court) for his younger brother Madho Singh I. It was named by

Madho Singh after his grandfather Man Singh or Bhan Singh. The fort and its precincts are well

preserved. The Bhangarh Fort is located on the border of the Sariska Reserve in the Aravali range of

hills in Alwar district.

•The Bhatner fortis at Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, India, about 419 km northwest of Jaipur along the

old Multan-Delhi route and 230 km north-east of Bikaner. The old name of Hanumangarh was Bhatner,

which means “fortress of the Bhatti Rajputs”.Believed to be 1700 years old, it is considered to be one

of the oldest forts of India.

The ancient fort situated on the bank of river ghaggar was built in 253AD by Bhupat, son of king Bhati

of Jaisalmer. It is said that after losing the battle against the Sultan of Ghazni, King Bhupat took

shelter in the jungle around the Ghaggar River. This fort stands in the path of invasion of India from

Central Asia and had acted as a strong barricade against the attack of enemies. Finally in the year of

1805, it was captured by Emperor Soorat Singh of Bikaner and remained with it till the formation of

Rajasthan.Since the day of victory was Tuesday (known as day of Hindu God Hanuman), so he

named Bhatner as Hanumangarh.

•The Chittor Fortor Chittorgarh is one of the largest forts in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage

Site. The fort was the capital of Mewar and is today situated in the Chittorgarh town.

The Guhila (Gahlot) ruler Bappa Rawal is said to have captured the fort in either 728 CE or 734

CE. From 7th century, the fort was ruled by the Mewar Kingdom. In 1303, the Turkic ruler of

Delhi, Alauddin Khalji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan

of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who later

founded Udaipur.

The fort and the city of Chittorgarh host the biggest Rajput festival called the “Jauhar Mela.It takes

place annually on the anniversary of one of the jauhars, but no specific name has been given to it. It is

generally believed that it commemorates Padmini’s jauhar, which is most famous. This festival is held

primarily to commemorate the bravery of Rajput ancestors and all three jauhars which happened at

Chittorgarh Fort.

•Jaigarh Fortis situated on the promontory called the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of

the Aravalli range; it overlooks the Amber Fort and the Maota Lake, near Amber in Jaipur, Rajasthan,

India. The fort was built by Jai Singh II in 1726 to protect the Amber Fort and its palace complex and

was named after him.

Amber was known in the ancient and medieval period as Dhundhar (meaning attributed to a sacrificial

mount in the western frontiers). What is known in the present day as Jaigarh Fort, which was actually

the main defensive structure rather than the palace itself. The two structures are interconnected by a

series of encompassing fortifications and ruled by the Kachwahas from the 10th century onwards. The

history of Amber and Jaigarh is indelibly linked to these rulers, as they founded their empire at Amber.

It became one of the world’s most efficient cannon foundries mainly due to the abundance of iron

ore mines in the vicinity of the fort.

•Gagron Fortis situated in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, in the Hadoti region of India. It is an

example of a hill and water fort.

•Jaisalmer Fortis one of the largest fully preserved fortified cities in the world. It is situated in the city

of Jaisalmer. It was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal, from whom it derives its name.

The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill.

•Jalore Fortis the main attraction of Jalore, a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan, one of the nine

castles of the Maru, under the Paramaras in the 10th century. It is one of the most famous and

impressive forts in the state and has been known through history as the Sonagir or the ‘golden mount’.

Jalore Fort is regarded as one of the most impregnable forts of the country. There is a saying: Let the

sky be torn, the earth turned upside down, let the iron armor be cut to pieces, body fighting alone, but

Jalore would not surrender

•Junagarh Fortis a fort in the city of Bikaner. he fort was originally called Chintamani and was

renamed Junagarh or “Old Fort” in the early 20th century when the ruling family moved to Lalgarh

Palace outside the fort limits. It is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan which is not built on a hilltop.

The modern city of Bikaner has developed around the fort. Junagarh fort is located in the arid region of

the Thar desert of Rajasthan bordered on the northwest by the Aravalli range, a range of mountains in

western India. Part of the desert area is in Bikaner city, which is one of the three desert triangle cities;

the other two cities are Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The name of the place where Bikaner city with its forts

was established was then known as Jungladesh.

This fort was built in 1478 by Rao Bika who established the city of Bikaner in 1472. Rao Bika was the

second son of Maharaja Rao Jodha of the Rathor clan, the founder of Jodhpur city.

•Kumbhalgarh(“Kumbhal fort”) is a Mewar fortress on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills, in

the Rajsamand district near Udaipur of Rajasthan state in western India. It is a World Heritage

Site included in Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Built during the course of the 15th century by Rana Kumbha,

Kumbhalgarh is also the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior

of Mewar. Kumbhalgarh in its current form was built and ruled by Rana Kumbha and his dynasty who

were Hindu Sisodia rajputs descendents.

•Lohagarh Fort(Iron fort) is situated at Bharatpur in Rajasthan, India. It was constructed by

Bharatpur Jat rulers. Maharaja Suraj Mal used all his power and wealth to a good cause, and built

numerous forts and palaces across his kingdom, one of them being the Lohagarh Fort (Iron fort),

which was one of the strongest ever built in Indian history. The inaccessible Lohagarh fort could

withstand repeated attacks of British forces led by Lord Lake in 1805 when they laid siege for over six

weeks. Of the two gates in the fort, one in the north is known as Ashtdhaatu (eight metalled) gate

while the one facing the south is called Chowburja (four-pillared) gate.

•Mehrangarh(Mehran Fort), located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is one of the largest forts in India. Built

around 1460 by Rao Jodha, the fort is situated 410 feet (125 m) above the city and is enclosed by

imposing thick walls.

There are seven gates, which include Jayapol (meaning ‘victory’), built by Maharaja Man Singh to

commemorate his victories over Jaipur, Udaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol (also meaning ‘victory’)

gate was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat of the Mughals. The palm imprints upon these

still attract much attention.

Mehrangarh (etymology: ‘Mihir’ (Sanskrit) -sun or Sun-deity; ‘garh’ (Sanskrit)-fort; i.e.’Sun-fort’);

according to Rajasthani language pronunciation conventions,’Mihirgarh’ has changed to ‘Mehrangarh’;

the Sun-deity has been the chief deity of the Rathore dynasty.

•Nahargarh Fortstands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the city of Jaipur in

the Indian state of Rajasthan. Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong

defense ring for the city. The fort was originally named Sudarshangarh, but it became known as

Nahargarh, which means ‘abode of tigers’. The popular belief is that Nahar here stands for Nahar

Singh Bhomia, whose spirit haunted the place and obstructed construction of the fort. Nahar’s spirit

was pacified by building a temple in his memory within the fort, which thus became known by his

name.

Built mainly in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, the fort was constructed as

a place of retreat on the summit of the ridge above the city.

•Ranthambore Fortlies within the Ranthambore National Park, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, the

park being the former hunting grounds of the Maharajahs of Jaipur until the time of India’s

Independence. It is a formidable fort having been a focal point of the historical developments

of Rajasthan. The fort is known for the glory and valor of Hammir dev of the Chauhan dynasty. The

Ranthambore fort was built by a Chauhan ruler, although the exact name of the ruler is disputed. A

widely held belief states that the fort was built the reign of Sapaldaksha, in 944 CE. Another theory

states that the fort was built during the reign of Jayant.

•Taragarh Fortor ‘Star Fort’ is the most impressive of structures of city of Ajmer in Indian state

of Rajasthan. A rather ramshackle fort, with its overgrown vegetation, It was constructed in 1354 upon

a steep hillside. There are three gateways to the fort, well known as Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza and

Gagudi ki Phatak. Most parts of these impressive gateways are now in ruins. During its heyday,

Taragarh Fort was renowned for its tunnels crisscrossing the entire hillside.

It offers a panoramic view of the city of Bundi situated in Nagpahari of Aravalli ranges. The fort capture

by Dara Shikoh and ruled as mughal subah from 1633-1776

Rajasthan: Handicrafts

Rajasthan is well known all over the world for its hand-printed textiles, furniture, leatherwork, jewellery,

painting, pottery and metal craft. The use of lively colors and flamboyant, fantasy designs is distinctive

in all forms of arts and crafts of Rajasthan.

POTTERY

Pottery, one of the old crafts, has its own standing tradition in Rajasthan. Certain shapes are

characteristic of Rajasthan. Alwar has been known for its double cutwork pottery known as “kagzi”. It

is made of a thin layer of clay and needs a high degree of skill. Purely decorative, the pottery of

Bikaner uses lac colours embellished with gold to give a glittering finish. Possibly the only pottery in

the world that is made without using clay, Blue Pottery of Jaipur is unique in appearance. The art of

glazed pottery came to India through Persia. The materials used are Multani clay or ‘fuller’s earth’,

quartz, raw glaze, and sodium sulphate. The best

pieces are hand painted with conventional floral or

arabesque patterns and sometimes with figures of

animals. Besides traditional articles like ‘surahis’, pots

and cylindrical jars, other items include ashtrays, tiles,

flower pots, lamp stands, beads, ear rings, soap cases,

jugs, mugs and door knobs.

JEWELLERY

The artistic delicacy and elaborateness in the manufacturing of Rajasthani jewellery made of purest

and finest materials is world-renowned. Rajasthan became famous for its jewellery industry from very

early times, being an important source of precious and semi precious stones. Sophisticated jewellery,

set with precious stones using the ‘Kundankari’ technique, or decorated with bright enamel work,

known as ‘minakari’, were made for the Rajput courtiers and affluent people. Skillful artisans from

Lahore, Delhi, Gujarat, and Bengal, attracted by the liberal patronage of the kings, came to work

in Jaipur, Bikaner, Udaipur and Jodhpur . Jaipur is the centre for gold ‘kundan’ work and a renowned

centre for diamond and emerald cutting. The temple market at Nathdwara is the best place to buy

silver ‘kundan’ and ‘meenakari’ work

Old silver jewellery, which is much in vogue, can be bought in Jaisalmer in every nook and corner of

the small bazaar area. Pratapgarh in Chittaurgarh district is famous for ‘thewa’ jewellery .The red,

green, or blue foil below highlights the intricate gold work in the best possible manner.

Textile

The whole of Rajasthan get coloured with its vibrant textiles. Cotton is produced by the Julaha caste

known as Masuria. Clothes made in the Kaithoon village in Kota district are the most highly priced.

Both cotton and silk is used in the making. Saris made out of this cloth fetch a good price around the

country. The clothes are given treatments like rich blaze of colour, dying, block printing and numerous

forms of embroidery and appliqué. Bandhani is the most intricate tie dying process. Parts of the fabric

are knotted and on dying the knotted section retain the original colour. The dyes were in old days

derived from natural sources such as vegetables, minerals and insects. Bagru is known for earth

colors and geometric patterns while Sanganeri clothes have bright colors and floral patterns. Barmer

and Jaisalmer are famous for their batik or reverse printing work. Sikar and Jodhpur are famous for

intricate tie-and-dye or bandhani designs including chunari (dotted), lahariya (diagonal striped waves)

and mothra (large dots) prints. Bikaner, Sikar and Jhunjhunu are well known for the mirror work,

embroidery and appliqué work that are used to embellish these fabrics to produce elaborate designs

of Rajasthani dresses.

Carpets and Dhurries:

Floor coverings like carpets, hand-woven durries and namdas or soft woollen druggets of Rajasthan

are exported all over the world. Available in all sizes, the dhurrie is woven in Jaipur and also in the

rural areas of the state. Bikaner and Jaisalmer are known for woolen dhurries made of camel hair.

Bikaner is also famous for its so-called jail carpets, which are so called for they were once made by

the prisoners in the medieval times. Much like Persian carpets, Rajasthani hand-knotted carpets have

geometric motifs and formal designs with a border and central motif. The motifs have indeed been

localized and include peacocks and other local icons. Jaipur and Bikaner are believed to be the

pioneer centres in carpet weaving.F rom Bikaner and Tonk come also the gaily-patterned, felt

‘numdahs’ or small rugs. A Durree is a cool, light rug. Rajasthani durries are smooth and closely

woven. Pastel shades and a sparse use of geometrical and vegetable motifs are popular. Jaipur is a

thriving centre for carpets and durrees today.

LEATHER WORK

The use of leather in Rajasthan is very old. The beautifully designed leather shoes are well known

items in the world market. Leather is embroidered, punched, studded and stitched in various eye-

catching designs. The best known centres of traditional footwear are Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Decorative saddles for horses are prepared in Bikaner, Jaipur and Jaisalmer. A special type of water

bottle called ‘kopi’ is made from camel hide.

Ivory work

Rajasthan’s ivory carving centres are at Udaipur, Bharatpur and Jaipur. Jaipur is famous for its

carved ivory, whilst Jodhpur specialises in ivory bangles. Regal blue-glazed pottery of Jaipur is

among the most arresting crafts of the state. Under regal partronage, the most delicate art of ivory

carving flourished, in the princely capitals of Rajasthan; Bharatpur, Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The

art is still alive in the delicate ivory figurines of gods and goddesses, minutely carved and perfectly

proportioned. Jali-work of lace like intricacy is testimony to the ivory carvers, fine eye and unerring

hand. Animal figures, birds, fish trays and paper knives and a host of other decorative objects are

carved with utmost artistry and craftsmanship.

METALWARE

Indian craftsmen have always shown an exceptional skill in engraving, chasing and ornamenting of

gold and silver articles of everyday and decorative use. The metalware of Rajasthan comprises artistic

brass work, enameled, engraved and filigree cut work on silver. The Jaipuri-engravers have mastered

the medium of engraving on metal. Lacquered and engraved brassware comes in an amazing variety

of articles: hanging lamps, boxes, bowls, picture frames, and plates. Traditional designs are used in

different techniques such as hammered, chased or embossed and the motifs are of flowers, hunting

scenes and landscapes.

In Jaipur, the engraving is done in three styles namely, (a) ‘Marori’ work- minutely lacquered designs

covering the entire surface, (b) ‘chikan’- floral ornamentation standing out vividly against a chased and

lacquered background and (c) ‘bichi’ – a delicate pattern of flowers and leaves, on a lacquered

surface.

Traditional silver articles like ‘handas’ or water containers, spice bottles, baskets and trays are popular

worldover – white metal articles too, command sizeable exports. Water carrier, ‘badla’, made of zinc, a

speciality of Jodhpur, is one of the flourishing industries of Rajasthan. ‘Badlas’, usually round, semi-

circular or rectangular are sometimes fitted with ice chambers and taps. In ‘Koftagari’ or damascening

work, mostly practised in Alwar and Jaipur, one metal is encrusted into another in the form of wire.

Popular articles are swords, daggers and shields.

STONE CARVING

Rajasthan is not merely famous for the valorous deeds and heroic sacrifices of its warriors but also for

its splendid architectural monuments made of stone. Temples, forts and palaces are glorious

achievements of the craftsmen that have few rivals.

Jaipur is the centre of marble carving in Rajasthan. Here artisans create marble images of the deities

as well as domestic utensils such as bowls for grinding spices and kneading dough. At centres such

as Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaipur can be seen very fine examples of ‘jali’ or lattice,

worked on screens and panels in the palaces of these cities.

BLOCK PRINTING

Close to Jaipur is the small township of Sanganer, the name synonymous today with the finest block

printed cottons. Some of the ‘Sanganeri chipas’ have moved to Jaipur and their colourful printed

creations are widely available.

Block printing is a finely developed art in other parts of Rajasthan too. While the ‘Bagru’ prints are

famous for floral designs in dark vegetable colours, the ‘Barmer’ prints are known for their bold

geometric patterns, called ‘AJRAKH’.

A special process of tie-and dye creates the stylized wave pattern, or ‘laharia’, symbolizing water or

the monsoon rain. Turbans and ‘odhnis’ with ‘laharia’ patterns are generally used on festive occasions,

especially Teej.

Bandhani is a complicated and skilled work of ornamenting the cloth with combination of colours.

Jaipur and Jodhpur, the main centres of this speciality have produced many bandhej workers who

excel in their jobs.

The traditional handicrafts of Rajasthan survived and developed because they were regarded as

material symbols of Rajasthan’s unique cultural ethos. With the initiative of the government, these

crafts were survived with the setting up of the All India Handicrafts Board at New Delhi and the

Rajasthan Small Scale Industries Corporation at Jaipur. Almost every craft is practiced and marketed

in Rajasthan and the tradition has been so nurtured by the craftsmen that their products win the

acclaim and appreciation from all.

Rajasthali

It is the flagship brand of the handicrafts marketing wing of The Rajasthan Small Industries

Corporation Ltd. (RSIC), a Government of Rajasthan Undertaking. Committed to promoting the

handicrafts of the colourful state of Rajasthan, the brand provides a marketing umbrella to the artisans

to showcase their craftsmanship and sell their wares without fear of being fleeced by the middlemen.

At ‘Rajasthali’ you are exposed to an extravaganza of handcrafted products such as textile, furniture,

blue pottery, terracotta pottery, paintings, silver and lac jeweller, etc. among many other traditional

products from various corners of the desert state. The Rajasthani craft industry is iconic to the identity

of India with many of its styles reaching the international market. With every purchase you make

through ‘Rajasthali’ you contribute to the development and promotion not just of Rajasthan, but also

help showcase the rich heritage.

Rajasthan: Folk Dances and Music

Bhavai Dance

•This artistic form of dance is believed to be originated in the neighboring state Gujarat and was soon

picked up and adapted by the local tribal men and women and gave it a distinctive Rajasthani

essence. This traditional folk dance, performed by the womens of the Jat, Bhil, Raigar, Meena,

Kumhar, and Kalbelia communities of Rajasthan evolved from the extraordinary quality and capacity of

the these communities to carry a number of pots of water on head over a long distance in the desert.

•The male musician, playing the background music are the accompaniment of this artistic Bhavai

dancers. Generally a melodious Rajasthani folk song are being sung by the musicians, adding to

beauty of the Bhavai dance.

•In festive occasion as well as in marriages also Bhavai dance performance can be seen.

Chakri Dance

ð Chakri, means ‘Chakkar’ (Circle) rotation in Hindi lang. Chakri is one of the most popular folk dance

of Kanjar tribe. Kanjar tribe inhabited in some parts of Kota and Baran district of Rajasthan.Chakri

Dance is performed in almost all the marriages and festival in the Haroti region of Rajasthan. Chakri

dance is performed exclusively by the womenfolk of Kanjar tribe and it is also their main source of

livelihood.

ð Music is an essential part of the dance that’s why the Chari Dancers are accompanied by the group

of skillful traditional singers who sings as the women start the dance.

Chari Dance

•Chari dance is one of the popular folk dances in Rajasthan India. This dance describes the art of

collecting water in a chari or pot by the Rajasthani womens in their day to day life. The woman’s

travels miles to collect water for the families and the joy is reflected through this Chari dance. This folk

dance is performed by groups of dancers. In chari dance woman hold chari or pots on their head and

a lighted lamp is then placed in the pot.

•This dance does not have any particular movements except balancing the pots on their heads. This

dance is also known as a welcome dance and is a significance of goodness.

•The famous Chari dance belongs to Gujjar community of Kishangarh and only womens perform in

this dance. These ladies carry brass pots on their heads balancing it to perfection.

•The Chari Dance is often perform at the time of marriage occasions, on the birth of a male child or

any big festival celebration in Rajasthan India.

Drum Dance

ð Drum Dance, famous in Rajasthan India is a professional dance-form of Jhalore region of

Rajasthan, where only the men participants can perform. In this dance, five men beat huge drums that

are tied around their necks.

ð There is no boundation for the performance of drum dance but it is generally performed in big

occasions like festivals, marriage etc.

Fire Dance

•Fire dance is a unique dance famous in the desert region of Rajasthan. This folk dance describes the

lifestyle of Jasnathis of Bikaner and Churu districts of Rajasthan India. This is a very difficult dance to

perform and is carried out by the Banjara community.

•Some of the traditional folk dances, performed by the Banjara Community of Rajasthan is also

sometime called as the fire dance, but is completely different from the above-mentioned performance.

Here, the dance is performed around the Fire. The person dancing usually takes two flamed sticks in

his hands and fills up his mouth with kerosene oil.

•The fire dance is performed in the desert region of Rajasthan on the festive occasions like Holi,

Janmashtami etc. This unique dance performance attracts viewers from all over.

Gair Dance

•Gair is a very popular Rajathani folk dance. This traditional folk dance is one of the many dance- form

of the Bhil community of Rajasthan. This is the one of the few performances where both men and

women dance together. This folk dance is performed as a series of half swirl, as a simplier version.

•The Bhil folk perform this dance by wearing colorful dresses and carrying swords, arrows and sticks.

•Though Gair dance can performed any time as a form of entertainment but it is performed during any

festive occasions. It is specially performed on the festive occasion of Holi and Janmastami. Festive

occasions like Holi, Janmastami seems incomplete without the performance of Gair dance.

Gawari Dance

•Gawari dance of Rajasthan is a tribal dance of the famous Bhil tribe. This is mainly a tribal dance

drama and is beautifully expressed by its troupe having many different characters. Gawari tribal dance

is a running dramatical dance which go from village to village for a month. Its is great entertainment for

rural population.

•Apart from the different characters of the dramatical dance, Gawari is accompany with a ‘madal’ and

a ‘thali’.

Ghoomar Dance – Folk Dance of Rajasthan

•Ghoomaris a traditional as well as an enthusiastic folk dance of Rajasthan. Ghoomar or Ghumar was

basically developed by the Bhil tribe and was adopted by other Rajasthani communities. The Ghoomar

dance is a particularly a women’s dance and performed by the women for exclusively ladies

gatherings.

•The popular Ghoomar Dance in Rajasthan India is

known to be the characteristic dance of the Bhil tribe.

The Kachhwaha Clan of Rajputs who ruled Jaipur

defeated the Bhils and later acceded to a peaceful

coexistence. It is, therefore, normal that the royalty

would pick up some of the Bhil traditions and practices.

From then it get associated with the royal ladies

of Jaipur, who perform it on certain auspicious

occasions.

•Now it is performed on festive days in middle-class families in Udaipur, Jodhpur and Kota–

Bundi areas. In Udaipur, it resembles the Garva of neighboring Gujarat and is very musical. In

Jodhpur, the movement of the limbs is jerky. The Ghoomar of Kota-Bundi is very lively and impressive.

The tune of the song which accompanies this dance is melodious and catchy.

•Ghoomar dance is performed on the occasion of festive days and considered as one of the traditional

rituals on the occasion of marriage, a bride is expected to dance the Ghoomar after being welcomed

at her husband`s home.

Kachhi Ghodi

•The Kachhi Ghodi Dance is one of the most popular Folk Dances of Rajasthan. This folk dance

originated from the bandit regions of Shekhawati and is generally performed for the entertainment of

the bridegroom’s party.This dance is performed by mens on dummy horses.

•The songs in the Kachhi Ghodi Dance are generally about the overt businessman and traders of the

Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. And traders meant money; and traders meant long overnight

journeys on caravans laden with expensive wares. The Kachhi Ghodi Dance Rajasthan depicts the

confrontation of the bandits of the Bavaria clan of tribes with the passing commoners.

Kalbelia Dance – Folk Dance of Rajasthan

•Kalbelia danceis a folk dance of Rajasthan state of India. It is well known by other names

like ‘Sapera Dance’ or ‘Snake Charmer Dance’. Kalbelia dance is particularly performed by

a Rajasthani tribe called ‘Kalbelia’. The popularity of this dance is so much worldwide that Rajasthan’s

Kalbelia dance and songs are now in UNESCO’s representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

of Humanity from the year 2010. In Kalbelia dance, males play various traditional instruments and

females perform the dance. Kalbelia dance is one of the most sensuous dance among all Rajasthani

dances.

•Kalbelia dance has a traditional musical instrument which is Poongi also called Been. Poongi is a kind

of woodwind musical instrument used by Kalbelia tribe during catching snakes.

Kathak Dance

•Kathak Dance is famous and brilliant dance form in Rajasthan India. It is the 6th most popular dance

of India and Jaipur gharana of Rajasthan is one of the well known Gharanas of India. Jaipur gharana

developed a unique style and pure Kathak dance.

•Kathak name is derived from the word Katha which means ‘story’. So Kathak is basically an art of

story telling with the help of beautiful body movements.

•Kathak dance has two main techniques. They are Nrittya which means pure dance and Abhinaya

mean expressions.

•The Kathak Dance can be perform in the time of any big celebration or any cultural programme night

in rajasthan India.

Kathputli – The Puppet Dance of Rajasthan

•Rajasthan Kathputli dance is world famous and well known as Puppetry dance. It is the old tradition of

stories from mythology and legends are told through puppets in Rajasthan. String puppetry is very

much famous in Rajasthan. Tradition of Kathputli is based on folk tales and stories. Scholars believe

that folk tales convey the lifestyle of ancient Rajasthani tribal people and Kathputli art might have

originated from present day Nagaur and surrounding areas.

•Kathputli word is the combination of two Rajasthani language words Kath meaning wood and Putli

meaning puppet.

Khayal Dance

•‘Khyal’ in hindi language means “Thought”. Khyal was a folk play which involves dance also.

Khayal dance is the only dance which is inherited from different themes. Performed by the

Bhawai tribe of Rajasthan. Their ancestors also perform this dance based on the themes of hindu

epics sch as Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Women do not participate in Bhawai dances.

•Khayal dance is believed to be originated from Jats and later on Bhawai dances which also include

Jats, starts performing it.

Terah Taali

ð Terah Taali is one of the folk dances of the princely state, Rajasthan. This folk dance is performed

by the Kamada tribes who are traditional snake charmers. Besides this it is also performed by

the tribes of Mirasi, Bhand, Dholi, Bhat and Nat. It is also practiced by Pokhran and Deedwana, to

honour their folk hero, Baba Ramdeo, it consists of women sitting on the floor before his image.

ð Terah Taali Dance is generally performed by well skilled artists. Thirteen manjeeras ( little brass

disc) are tied to various parts of their body, which they strike with the ones they hold in their hand. This

creates a rhythm on which the dancers move.

Walar Dance

•Walar dance of Rajasthan is a beautiful and enthusiastic tribal dance performed particularly by

women’s. Walar is an important dance of a Rajasthani tribe – Garasia. Known to be a prototype of

famous Ghoomar danceof Rajasthan, it also involve simple circular movements of dancers on beats.

•It is believed that its sophisticated version was performed in royal places of

Rajasthan. Gangaur and Teej festivals are the best occasions to watch Walar dance. It is generally

accompanied by the beats of the mandal, chang and a variety of other musical instruments which

provide a lively rhythm to their dance sequences.

Music

Two types of music that are especially famous in Rajasthan are described below:

Maand: Originated as court music, the maand is a distinct raga that was developed in Marwar. It is

very sophisticated and involves complex inflexion of voices sung in deep bass but with time it

permeated to the folk forms we know today and when ballads of the chivalrous rulers and local folk

heroes are sung using maand raga, they have a unique haunting quality that echoes in the desert. Its

popularity is evident from the fact that an entire festival in Jodhpur is dedicated to it exclusively.

Pabuji ka Phad: Pabuji Ramdeo was a folk hero of the 14th century in the Bhopa region whose

legends have become timeless in the form of ballads that are sung against a painted scroll known as

the ‘Phad’ paintings where scenes from his story are portrayed in comic-strip fashion. Its performances

were always held at night, when the villagers gathered for these performances. The Bhopa minstrel

would sing the ballad and give the music using ravanhatha while his wife used to hold an oil lantern

illuminate just the particular portion of the scroll that matched with the episode of the story he was

singing about.

Rajasthan: Worker and Peasant Movements

Bijoliya Farmer Movement (1918)

•The first organized, comprehensive, broad, non-violent and longest running peasant movement in the

country (about 44 years)

•Reason – Excessive levy and unfair means

•Dhakad caste movement in Bijolia hideout

•The locator at the time of agitation – Rao Krishna Singh

•Mewar Maharana at the time of agitation -Fateh Singh

•During Rao Krishna Singh, people of Bijolia used to spend 84 types of taxes.

•Father of the peasant movement in the country

•Early leadership – Sadhu Sitaram Das

•Ancient name-Vijayavalli (a village)

•Part of the Uparmal principality

•Rana Saka gifted this manor to his servant Ashok Parmar (founder of Bijolia).

•In 1897,All the farmers gathered in Bhijolia’s Girirdhpura village on the occasion of the feast of the

father of Ganga Ram Dhakar.Then collectively it was decided to send Nanaji Patel and Thakri Patel to

Mewar Maharana to complain of Krishna Singh. Later Krishan Singh expelled both of them from

Bijolia.

•In 1903, Rao Krishna Singh imposed a new tax on people of Bijolia named Chanwari (a type of

marital tax of Rs 5).

•Farmers protested against it and refused to plough on Thakur’s land. Dreadful, Krishna Singh

withdrew this tax.

•Rao Krishna Singh died in 1906.

•In 1906, Thakur Prithvi Singh became a new zamindar, which in 1906 introduced the new tax called

“Talwar Bandhai” (a kind successor tax, and was also called insulting tax) on the people of Bijolia in

1906.

•The farmers opposed it in the leadership of Sadhu

Sitaram Das, Fatehcharan Charan and Brahmadev, but it

was suppressed.

•After the First World War (1914-19 18), the war

contribution was imposed on the people of Bijolia , which

was strongly opposed. Due to mounting opposition, the

Mewar government formed the “Bindulal Bhattacharya Commission” to investigate war money. The

Mewar government refused to accept the recommendations of this commission.

•VIJAY SINGH PATHIK

•Birth – Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh)

•Real name – Bhoop singh

•He formed a revolutionary organization “Veer Bharat Sabha” in collaboration with Gopal Singh Kharva

and during the World War I, in the Northern India, planned an armed revolution against the British. But

after the plan was exposed, both were imprisoned in the Toadarg jail. Bhupsinh escaped from there

and reached Nathdwara. This was the first time that people got the introduction of Vijay Singh teacher

(pathak), but Sadhu Sitaram Das identified him and brought him to Bijolia.

•Vijay Singh Pathik and Haribhai Kinkar established Vidya Pradvani Sabha in Chittaurgarh in 1914.

•In 1916 Vijay Singh Pathik started the leadership of Bijolia Kisan movement on the insistence of

Sadhu Sitaram.

•In 1917, Vijay Singh Pathik established the Uparmal Kisan Punch Board in Bijollia. Its first president /

sarpanch was Mr. Manna Patel. The Marwar Seva sangh was its associate organization.

•In 1919 Vijay Singh Pathik established the Rajasthan Seva Sangh (the credit for creating the highest

political awakening in Rajasthan) in Wardha. In 1920, Vijay Singh Pathik transferred the headquarters

of the Rajasthan Seva sangh to Ajmer.

•On 4th February, 1922, AGG Robert Holland of Rajasthan came to Bijaulia on the agitation. He made

an agreement between the Zamidars and the farmers. But this agreement has not been effective for a

long time. So the movement re-flashed.

•During the movement, Vijay Singh Pathik published the following newspapers to bring awareness

about the movement.

1.Publication of Rajasthan Kesari from Wardha (Maharashtra) in 1920.

2.New Rajasthan published from Ajmer in 1922.

3.Tarun Rajasthan published from Ajmer in 1923.

4.Pratap was published from Kanpur in 1924. (Editor – Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi)

•During the Bijaulia Kisan movement, ‘Pratap’ was the most important newspaper of Vijay

SinghPathik. In this letter, Bikaner opposed the practice of prostitution.

• In 1927 Vijay Singh Pathak got separated from the Bijaulia Kisan movement.

•After moving of Vijay Singh Pathak, command of the Bijaulia Kisan movement was led by Manikya

Lal Verma, Jamnalal Bajaj, Haribhau Upadhyay (Da Saheb), Manikya Lal Verma.

•Manikya Lal Verma led the final phase. His wife Narayani Devi Verma led the women during the

agitation.

•Seeing the growing movement, Mewar’s Prime Minister T. S. Vijayaraghavachari entrusted Bijolia’s

case to Mohan Singh Mehta. Mohan Singh Mehta came to He accepted the demands of the farmers

and the agitation ended.

•“Yash Sukh Vaibhav ki Chah nahi, Parwah nahi jivan rahe na rahe !

Iccha hai jo bas yah hai ye Swechachar daman na rahe!”

This is a poem composed by Vijaysinh Pathik

.

•Vijay Singh Pathak is considered the father of the farmers movement in the country.

•Tulsi Bhil – Worked as a message carrier walking 70 miles per day.

2.Bengu Kisan movement – (started in 1921)

•The main centre of the peasant movement of Bengu was Raita.

•Earlier,this place was in Bhilwara, but it is currently in Chittorgarh district.

•This movement ran at the time of Bangngu’s Zamidar Anoop singh.

•Maharana of Mewar was Fateh Singh .

•Reason – Excessive levy and unfair means.

•This movement was run by the farmers of Dhakar caste.

•The initial leadership of this movement was done by Vijay Singh Pathik from Ajmer because there

was a ban upon him on arrival in Mewar state. Later, on the insistence of Vijay Singh Pathak, Ram

Narayan Chaudhary led the movement.

•On the agitation, Thakur Anoop singh entered into an agreement with the farmers, but the British

government refused to accept it, by naming it Bolshevik agreement and formed the Trench

Commission on its level for the investigation of the case of Bengu, Who did not make a decision in the

interest of the farmers.

•Farmers organized a Kisan Sabha in Govindpura village on July 13, 1923 to protest the

recommendations of the Trench Commission. Trench ordered firing on this assembly, in which many

farmers including Rupa Gha Dhakar and Kripa Dhakar were martyred. This incident is called

Govindpura massacre.

•After this incident, Vijay Singh Pathik took over the leadership, but on September 10, 1923 the British

arrested him, but the movement continued under the leadership of Ramnarayan Chaudhary.

•Finally, in 1925 the demands of the farmers of Bengu were accepted.

3.Neemuchana Farmer Movement 1924-25

•Extensively Writing by Pratap, New Rajasthan

•This movement was taken during the reign of Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar.

•Reason – Increase in the fine rates

•Current situation – Nemuchana is in Alwar district.

•On 14th May, 1925, farmers of Alwar organized a Kisan Sabha in Nimuchana village of Alwar to

protest against the increase of fines. The royal army of Alwar fired on this gathering, in which about

800 farmers were killed. This incident is called the Neemuchana massacre.

•Finally, on November 18, 1925, the fine rates was reversed.

•Ramnarayan Chaudhary firstly described the incident as a nemuchana murder case.

•The news paper named ‘Riyasat’, for the first time, compared this incident to Jallianwala Bagh

massacre.

•Gandhiji described this massacre as more than the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and criticized it as the

second dyershai.

•The Nemuchana massacre is called ‘Jalianwala Bagh Massacre’ of Rajasthan.

4.Bundi Farmer Movement

•Started in April, 1922

•Reason – Excessive levy and rent

•Leadership – Pandit Nayanuram Sharma

•

On April 2, 1923, farmers of Bundi organized a Kisan Sabha in Dabi village of Bundi under the

leadership of Nayanuram Sharma. Nanak Bhil was martyred while singing flag songs with many

farmers in the shootout on this meeting. Sharma ji was arrested and the agitation ended.

5.Alwar Farmer movement 1924 (ending due to British intervention)

•Communal riots spread during this movement.

•This movement took place at the time of Maharaja Jai Singh.

•Reason: The ban on killing wild boar. Later this ban was lifted.

6.Meo Farmer movement 1932 – 33

•This movement was run by the farmers of Meo caste of Alwar.

•Cause – excessive levy

•Leadership-led by Mohabbat Ali

•Later the demands of the farmers were accepted.

•Note: In May 1933, the Meo farmers of Bharatpur also carried out the agitation, but it was

suppressed.

7.Shekhawati Farmer Movement – 1933 – 34

•Surname – Zakat movement

•Reason – An increase in levy by the factories of the Shekhawati area.

•Tilak Seva Samiti was established in the first phase of this movement.

•Leadership – Harlal Chaudhary

•During this movement, in April 1934, under the leadership of Harilal Chaudhary’s wife Kishori Devi, in

the Katrathal village of Sikar, there were 10,000 Jat women.

•In 1924, the ‘Jatavir’ weekly was published from Agra. The news of the Shekhawati peasant

movement was published in this.

•Devi Bakhsh declares civil rights in Mandwa hideouts under the Shekhawati-peasant-movement.

PRE HISTORY of Rajasthan

Prehistory is the period of human activity between the use of the first stone tools 3.3 million years ago

and the invention of writing systems, the earliest of which appeared 5,300 years ago

Beginning

•The term “prehistory” can refer to the vast span of time since the beginning of the Universe or the

Earth, but more often it refers to the period since life appeared on Earth, or even more specifically to

the time since human-like beings appeared.

End

•The date marking the end of prehistory in a particular culture or region, that is, the date when relevant

written historical records become a useful academic resource, varies enormously from region to

region.

•For example, in Egypt it is generally accepted that prehistory ended around 3200 BC, whereas in

New Guinea the end of the prehistoric era is set much more recently, at around 1900 AD.

•In Europe the relatively well-documented classical cultures of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome had

neighbouring cultures, including the Celts and to a lesser extent the Etruscans, with little or no writing,

and historians must decide how much weight to give to the often highly prejudiced accounts of these

“prehistoric” cultures in Greek and Roman literature.

Time periods

•In dividing up human prehistory, historians typically use the three-age system, whereas scholars of

pre-human time periods typically use the well-defined geologic record and its internationally defined

stratum base within the geologic time scale.

•The three-age system is the periodization of human prehistory into three consecutive time periods,

named for their respective predominant tool-making technologies:

1.Stone Age

2.Bronze Age

3.Iron Age

•Evidence of anatomically modern humans in the Indian subcontinent is recorded as long as 75,000

years ago, or with earlier hominids including Homo erectus from about 500,000 years ago.

•Isolated remains of Homo erectus in Hathnora in the Narmada Valley in central India indicate that

India might have been inhabited since at least the Middle Pleistocene era, somewhere between

500,000 and 200,000 years ago.

•Tools crafted by proto-humans that have been dated back two million years have been discovered in

the northwestern part of the subcontinent.

•The ancient history of the region includes some of South Asia’s oldest settlements and some of its

major civilisations

Pre-history of Rajasthan

•The ancient civilised history of Rajasthan goes back to 5,000 years ago when in the present day

districts of Jhunjhunuand Sikar, along with other areas of jaipur district bordering south Haryana,

which formed the part of Vedic state of Brahmavarta along with districts of Mahendragarh and Rewari

in Haryana, that Vedic seers started composing Vedic scriptures, which form part of Sanatan Dharma,

the base of present day Hinduism.

•Revered Saraswatiand Drishadwati rivers formed the then Brahmavarta state.

•Drishadwati river is identified as the Vedic Drishadwati by Bhargava.

•Parts of Rajasthan may have been occupied by the Indus Valley Civilization(Harappans).

•Excavations at Kalibanga in northern Rajasthan around 1998 revealed the existence of human

settlements of Harappan times on the banks of a river that dried up later, which some people believe

to be the Saraswati, archaeologists hope the Saraswati will unlock mysteries of the past.

•Rajasthan’s geographic position in India has caused it to be affected by the expansionist efforts of

various empires. It was a part of the Maurya Empire around 321-184 BCE

•The history of Rajasthan dates back to pre-historic times as one finds settlements dating to this

period in Rajasthan.

•Archaeological excavations establish a relation with the Harappan culture trailing back to 1000 BC.

•Rajasthan has also had Paleolithic settlements as one finds paintings in some areas of Rajasthan

tracking back to this period.

•Later, the first Aryan settlement was also discovered here at Dundhmer, the modern day Dundhar.

•Ancient Hindu scriptures like Mahabharata and Ramayana make references to the holy city of

Pushkar in Rajasthan. Known as the “Land of Princes”, several dynasties have ruled here and

contributed to the development of Rajasthan.

•Rajasthan fell under the empires of Magadha, Kushanas, Guptas, and Mauryas.

•The formation and development of Rajasthan is contributed to several tribes, like the Rajputs, Jats,

Bhils, Ahirs, Nath, Gujars, and Meenas.

•Rajasthan has a central place in enriching the Indian culture as a whole.

•The land of princes is an enigmatic state where tradition and history blend with contemporary lifestyle.

•The culture of the state is a result of its 5000-year old history and the varied topography of the desert

land.

•Rajasthan has a diverse population belonging to different castes, tribes, and religions, which

embellish the culture by their unique customs and beliefs.

Ancient Period, up to 1200 AD

•Rajput clans emerged and held their sway over different parts of Rajasthan from about 700 AD.

Before that, Rajasthan was a part of several republics.

•It was a part of the Mauryan Empire. Other major republics that dominated this region include the

Malavas, Arjunyas, Yaudhyas, Kushans, Saka Satraps, Guptas and Hunas.

•The Rajput clans ascendancy in Indian history was during the period from the eighth to the twelfth

century AD. The Pratihars ruled Rajasthan and most of northern India during 750-1000 AD.

•Between 1000-1200 AD Rajasthan witnessed the struggle for supremacy between Chalukyas,

Parmars and Chauhans.

Indus Valley Civilization (Some region of Rajasthan belong to IVC)

•The Bronze Age in the Indian subcontinent began around 3300 BCE with the early Indus Valley

Civilisation. It was centred on the Indus River and its tributaries which extended into the Ghaggar-

Hakra River valley, the Ganges-Yamuna Doab, Gujarat, and south-eastern Afghanistan.

•The Indus civilisation is one of three in the ‘Ancient East’ that, along with Mesopotamia and Pharonic

Egypt, was a cradle of civilisation in the Old World. It is also the most expansive in area and

population.

•The civilisation was primarily located in modern-day India (Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan

provinces) and Pakistan (Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan provinces).

•Historically part of Ancient India, it is one of the world’s earliest urban civilisations, along with

Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.

•Inhabitants of the ancient Indus river valley, the Harappans, developed new techniques in metallurgy

and handicraft (carneol products, seal carving), and produced copper, bronze, lead, and tin.

•The Mature Indus civilisation flourished from about 2600 to 1900 BCE, marking the beginning of

urban civilisation on the subcontinent.

•The civilisation included urban centres such as Dholavira, Kalibangan, Ropar, Rakhigarhi, and Lothal

in modern-day India, as well as Harappa, Ganeriwala, and Mohenjo-daro in modern-day Pakistan.

•The civilisation is noted for its cities built of brick, roadside drainage system, and multi-storeyed

houses and is thought to have had some kind of municipal organisation.

•During the late period of this civilisation, signs of a gradual decline began to emerge, and by around

1700 BCE, most of the cities were abandoned.

•However, the Indus Valley Civilisation did not disappear suddenly, and some elements of the Indus

Civilisation may have survived, especially in the smaller villages and isolated farms.

•According to historian Upinder Singh, “the general picture presented by the late Harappan phase is

one of a breakdown of urban networks and an expansion of rural ones.”

•The Indian Copper Hoard Culture is attributed to this time, associated in the Doab region with the

Ochre Coloured Pottery.

PRESS & MAGAZINES of RajasthanMagazines In Rajasthan

•Magazines in Rajasthan have their own importance as magazines provides information about

lifestyle, politics, socio-economic affairs, current affairs and entertainment as well.

Major Magazines in Rajasthan

1.Femina

2.India Today

3.Manak

4.Mera Rajasthan

5.The Outlook

6.The Week

Manak & Mera Rajasthan are local Rajasthani

magazines and very much popular in Rajastan as

well

Manak Rajasthani

•Manak Rajasthani Monthly Magazine is the only home magazine and path guide for millions of

Rajasthanis/Marwaris.

•It was first published in January 1981 with a very limited number of readers.

•Within a short period ‘Manak’ has emerged as most favorite family magazine in the Rajasthani

community.

•Manak continues to share the woes and achievement of Marwaris not only residing in Rajathan but

throughout India & Abroad.

•Manak is unique and exclusive in many ways, as it is the only periodical which projects Rajasthan

and Rajsthanis from all points of view.

•“MANAK” has constantly played an important role in preserving the Rajasthani language, the mother

tongue of Rajasthanis, culture, literature, heritage, providing due conservation and its progress.

•Evolving fragrance of soil of Rajasthan. Manak is popular among affluent marwaris of Rajasthan, who

contribute biggest segment of business class everywhere.

•It’s an honour bestowed for 29 years of hard work, infectious enthusiasm and dedicated efforts

towards binding Rajasthan is everywhere in to one close fraternity by providing an effective platform

for Art, Culture and rich heritage of their home state Rajasthan.

Type Monthly Magazine

Company Manak Publication

Chief Editor Padam Mehta

Founded 1981

Language Rajasthani

Headquarter Jodhpur

Other Publications of MANAK Group

Jalte Deep –

•Daily Jalte Deep established in 1969 from Jodhpur is the only amongst a few who got the state level

recoganization.

•Jalte Deep never compromise and always committed to provide reliable, authentic news and views.

Manak TV –

•Manak TV is the sister concern of ‘Manak’ and ‘Jalte Deep’.

•This extension came into existence on 1994 in Jodhpur.

•It is a complete production house that has produced various documentaries and programmes for

Jaipur DD.

•Manak TV is devoted to promote, focus and enrich Rajasthani language, literature, Art, Music, culture,

life styles and above all new dimensions of development news, views and visions.

Manak Alankaran

•Jalte Deep is having credit of establishing Journalism award well known as ‘Manak Alankaran’ from

the year 1981.

•So far 26 journalists have been honored by this award.

Mera Rajasthan magazine

•Mera Rajasthan magazine is core hindi Rajasthan magazine which is published by the Gaylord

Publications Pvt. Ltd. and dstributed all over India.

•Mera Rajasthan is in the market since 2005 and successfuly running .

•Mera Rajasthan magazine motto is to spread information about Rajasthani culture and tradition not

only in the country but also in the world.

Inside Mera Rajasthan

•Mera Rajasthan magazine consists informations of all cities, districts , villages of Rajasthan with other

important cover stories.

•People also like it for its inspiring and truthful articles about Rajasthan.

•Mera Rajasthan has attractive layot and best printing quality which takes it front of other magazines.

•Its contents are beyond the news.

•Mera Rajasthan Contact Details

•Director and Editor: Bijay Kumar Jain

•Jaipur : Usha Plaza, Room No. 403, 4th Floor, Opp. Akaashwani M. I. Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan-

302001

•Official Website: http://merarajasthan.org/

Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) of Rajasthan

•Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) acts as an important channel between the State

Government and the people of the state.

•The department is constantly working towards the dissemination of information to the people in

regard to policies, public welfare decisions, schemes of the government.

•The main responsibility of the department is to publicize these schemes to ensure that maximum

people are able to avail the optimum benefits of these schemes.

•The public welfare schemes of the Govt. are publicized through different means like display ads, short

films, TV ads, radio ads, audio/visual vans, hoardings etc.

•The dept. also uses various public relations levers like press releases, special articles, publications,

press conferences, exhibitions etc. to ensure effective communication of Govt. initiatives.

•In addition, it is also the department’s responsibility to convey the public sentiment & reactions,

especially regarding grievances back to the government.

The Rajasthan State Cooperative Press Ltd

•The Rajasthan State Cooperative Press Ltd., Jaipur is an Appex Cooperative Institution of Rajasthan.

•The Press was established in 1960.

•It cater requirement of various print production and stationery printing for the Cooperative Sector and

Government Departments of the Rajasthan State

Modern history of Rajasthan after

Independence

Modern history of Rajasthan after Independence

•The former Rajputana encompassed 19 substantial states and 2 chief ships of Kushalgarh, Lava and

a British controlled province of Ajmer-Merwara (Merwara-Ajmer).

•The state of Rajastan was a varied accumulation of different political bodies with different systems of

administration existing in separate places.

•The current Rajasthani state was formed after a long process of incorporation which began on 17th

March 1948 and ended on 1st November 1956.

•Before this integration it was known as Rajputana

and after the integration it came to known as

Rajasthan. Currently there are 33 districts in the

State.

•The name of Rajasthan was probably popularised

by Tod and during his lifetime some people

believed that he had coined it.

•Although he claimed that it was the classical name

for the region, the term seems first to be

documented in an inscription dating from 1708 and

to have become popular by his time.

Integration of Rajasthan

Seven Stages of formation of Rajasthan (1948-1956)

S.No

.

Name of

GroupStates

Date of

Integration

01. Matsya Union Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli 17-03-1948

02.Rajasthan

Union

Banswara, Bundi, Dungerpur, Jhalawar,

Kishangarh, Kota, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Tonk.25-03-1948

03.United State

of Rajasthan

Udaipur also joined with the other Union of

Rajasthan.18-04-1948

04.Greater

Rajasthan

Bikaner, Jaipur, Jaisalmer & Jodhpur also joined

with the United State of Rajasthan.30-03-1949

05.

United State

of Greater

Rajasthan

Matsya Union also merged in Greater Rajasthan 15-05-1949

06.United

Rajasthan

18 States of United Rajasthan merged with Princely

State Sirohi except Abu and Delwara.26-01-1950

07.Re-organised

Rajasthan

Under the State Re-organisation Act, 1956 the

erstwhile part ‘C’ State of Ajmer, Abu Road Taluka,

former part of princely State Sirohi which was

merged in former Bombay, State and Sunel Tappa

region of the former Madhya Bharat merged with

Rajasthan and Sironj subdistrict of Jhalawar district

was transferred to Madhya Pradesh.

01-11-1956

•It took seven stages to form Rajasthan as defined today. In March 1948 the Matsya Union consisted

of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dhaulpur and Karauli was formed.

•Also, in March 1948 Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kishangarh, Kota, Pratapgarh,

Shahpura and Tonk joined the Indian union and formed a part of Rajasthan.

•In April 1948 Udaipur joined the state and the Maharana of Udaipur was made Rajpramukh.

Therefore in 1948 the merger of south and southeastern states was almost complete. Still retaining

their independence from India were Jaipur and the desert kingdoms of Bikaner, Jodhpur and

Jaisalmer.

•From a security point of view, it was vital to the new Indian Union to ensure that the desert kingdoms

were integrated into the new nation.

•The princes finally agreed to sign the Instrument of Accession, and the kingdoms of Bikaner, Jodhpur,

Jaisalmer and Jaipur were merged in March 1949.

•This time the Maharaja of Jaipur, Man Singh II was made the Rajpramukh of the state and Jaipur

became its capital.

•Later in 1949, the United States of Matsya, comprising the former kingdoms of Bharatpur, Alwar,

Karauli and Dholpur, was incorporated into Rajasthan.

•On January 26, 1950, 18 states of united Rajasthan merged with Sirohi to join the state leaving Abu

and Dilwara to remain a part of Greater Bombay and now Gujarat.

•In November 1956, under the provisions of the States Re-organisation Act, the erstwhile part ‘C’ state

of Ajmer, Abu Road Taluka, former part of Sirohi princely state (which were merged in former

Bombay), State and Sunel Tappa region of the former Madhya Bharat merged with Rajasthan and

Sirohi sub district of Jhalawar was transferred to Madhya Pradesh.

•Thus giving the existing boundary Rajasthan.

•Today with further reorganisation of the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

•Rajasthan has become the largest state of the Indian Republic.

•Gurumukh Nihal Singh was appointed as first governor of Rajasthan. Hiralal Shastri was the first

nominated chief minister of the state, taking office on 7 April 1949.

•He was succeeded by two other nominated holders of the office before Tika Ram Paliwal became the

first elected chief minister from 3 March 1951.

After State Reorganization

•The princes of the former kingdoms were constitutionally granted handsome remuneration in the form

of privy purses and privileges to assist them in the discharge of their financial obligations.

•In 1970, Indira Gandhi, who was then the Prime Minister of India, commenced under-takings to

discontinue the privy purses, which were abolished in 1971.

•Many of the former princes still continue to use the title of Maharaja, but the title has little power other

than status symbol.

•Many of the Maharajas still hold their palaces and have converted them into profitable hotels, while

some have made good in politics.

•The democratically elected Government runs the state with a chief minister as its executive head and

the governor as the head of the state.

•Currently, including the new district of Pratapgarh, there are 33 districts, 105 sub-divisions, 37,889

villages, 241 tehsils and 222 towns in Rajasthan.

Political History of Rajasthan

•Politics of Rajasthan is dominated by two parties Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National

Congress, now aam aadmi party (AAP) also trying to rope their foot, in Rajasthan.

•The current government in Rajasthan is that of Bharatiya Janata Party. The Chief Minister is

Vasundhara Raje.

•Rajasthan’s politics has mainly been dominated by the two state stalwarts, namely, Bhairon Singh

Shekhawat and Mohan Lal Sukhadia of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress

respectively.

•Shri Sukhadia ruled Rajasthan for 17 years and died in February 1982 while Late Shri Shekhawat

was in the national political horizon. The earlier politics were dominated by the Congress party.

•The main opposition party was the Bharatiya Jansangh, headed by Rajasthan’s most popular leader

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and the Swatantra party headed by former rulers of Rajasthan.

•The Congress rule was untouched till the year 1962. But in 1967, Jansangh headed by Shekhawat

and Swatantra party headed by Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur reached the majority point, but couldn’t

form a government.

•In 1972, the Congress won a landslide victory following the victory in the 1971 war. But after the

declaration of emergency, Shekhawat became immensely popular, especially after he was forced to

be arrested and was sent to Rohtak Jail in Haryana.

•As soon as the emergency was lifted, a joint opposition Janta Party won a thundering landslide

victory winning 151 of the 200 seats. Shekhawat became the Chief Minister.

•The government was dismissed by Indira Gandhi in 1980 after she restored power in Delhi.

•In the 1980 elections, the Janta Party split at the centre giving the Congress a victory in Rajasthan.

•Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984, and in 1985, a sympathy wave let the Congress sail through

in the elections.

•But in 1989, which could be called a Shekhawat wave, the BJP-JD alliance won all 25 Lok Sabha

seats and 140 of 200 seats in the assembly. Shekhawat became the Chief Minister for the second

term.

•Though Janta Dal took back its support to the Shekhawat government, Shekhawat tore apart the JD

and continued to rule as the Chief Minister thus earning the title of master manipulator.

•After the Babri Mosque demolition in Ayodhya, Shekhawat government was suspended by the P.M.,

Narsimha Rao and President’s rule was enforced in Rajasthan.

•Election took place in 1993 in which his party won even after the breaking of its alliance with the

Janta Dal.

•But the then governor Bali Ram Bhagat didn’t allow Shekhawat to form the government, but after

immense pressure from Shekhawat, who reached the majority point after supports from independents

like Sardar Gurjant Singh, Rani Narendra Kanwar, Sujan Singh Yadav, Rohitashva Kumar Sharma, Kr.

Arun Singh, Sundar Lal etc. crossed the majority line of 101 seats in the assembly.

•Shekhawat became the Chief Minister for the third term. This time he ran a successful third term. This

was perhaps the diamond phase for Rajasthan as it led to all-round development and Rajasthan also

gained identity on the globe as a rapidly developing and beautiful state.Shekhawat introduced

Heritage, Desert, Rural, Wildlife tourism to Rajasthan In 1998 elections, the BJP lost heavily due to the

onion price rise issue.

•Ashok Gehlot ran a 5 year government. But he lost the Lok Sabha elections in 1999, only 6 months

after its victory in the assembly elections.

•Shekhawat became the Vice-President of India in 2002 so he had to leave Rajasthan politics and the

BJP. He appointed Vasundhara Raje as his successor.

•She led the BJP in 2003 elections and led it to a victory. She was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan from

2003 – 2008. Narpat Singh Rajvi was the Health Minister, Ghanshyam Tiwari was the Food Minister,

and Gulab Chand Kataria was the Home Minister.

•The BJP won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from here as well.

•But the tables turned in December 2008, when the infighting within the BJP, Raje’s perceived

autocratic and despotic rule, and the police excesses in the Gurjar-Meena agitation combined to

overcome the incumbent Raje government’s development and growth planks, and the Congress

emerged victorious with the support of some independent MLA’s.

•Ashok Gehlot was sworn-in as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan. In 2013 [Bharatiya Janata Party]]

won by very large difference. BJP got 163 seats and Congress got only 21 seats out of 200

seats. Vasundhara Raje became the Chief Minister for second time.

•AAP Rajasthan is expend their wings under the leadership of Sunil Aagiwal who is the convenor of

Rajasthan unit. He is a social activist and closly work with Rajiv Diksit, he is come from bhilwara which

call textile city of Rajasthan.

•It’s youth wing is lead by Jitendra Puniya who is a dynamic youth leader and always fight for the

rights of youth.

•By profesion he is blogger and write blog on various social issues.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES of Rajasthan

Gilund, Udaipur, Rajasthan

•Gilund is about 70 KM from Udaipur and 11.5 km off the right bank of the Banas.

•A small-scale excavation carried out at the site during 1959-60 by B. B. Lal revealed that while the

occupation at both the mounds commenced simultaneously, that on the east one continued much

later.

Period I

•Period I, of which may be regarded as and has few microliths

along with copper. This Period has four structural Sub-Periods,

in the earliest of which, at one place, a sizeable complex of mud

brick walls (average size of brick 32.5 x 12.5 x 10 cm) is

encountered.

•All through the Period the residential houses are also made of

mud brick, the walls being plastered with mud, in one case

zigzag finger marks being observed on the plaster.

•Within the houses are noticed circular clay-lined ovens and

even open-mouthed chulhas. Of further interest is the occurrence in these houses of circular or oblong

pits.

•In all probability the pits were used for some kind of storage, though no vestiges of the material stored

therein have been found.

•These Chalcolithic people were fully familiar. with the use of kiln-burnt brick also is attested to by the

presence in the s. part of the w. mound of a large wall,

•The characteristic ceramic industry of Period I is a black-and-red Ware, painted over with linear and

curvilinear designs in a creamish-white pigment.

•Also in use were plain and painted black, burnished grey and red wares.

•Among the Teracotta figurines particularly noteworthy are the bull figurines with a prominent hump

and long horns.

•Number of C-14 dates are available for Period I. But a comparison of the Gilund pottery with that of

Navdatoli shows Period I of Gilund is in the main earlier than the occupation at Navdatoli, with an

overlap towards the end of the former.

•Since on the basis of C-14 dates the early levels of Navdatoli are assignable to a period around the

middle of the 2nd millennium B.C., Period I of Gilund may broadly be placed in the second quarter of

that millennium, with a probable margin on the earlier side.

•Period II of Gilund seems to have begun about the middle of the 1st millennium B.C., as indicated by

the presence of bowls and dishes of grey ware.

•In the successive strata have been found Suhga and Kushan bowls in red ware, sprinklers in the Red

Polished Ware,bowls in kaolin ware and knife-edged bowls in red ware, indicating that this occupation

continued up to the end of the 1st millennium A.D.

Kalibangan, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan

•Kalibangan is situated on the left bank of the Ghaggar (anciently known as the Sarasvati) in Tehsil

Pilibangan, District Hanumangarh in Rajasthanthe site was excavated for nine field seasons (1960-

1969) by the Archaeological Survey of India.

•The excavation has brought to light a twofold sequence of cultures, of which the upper one

(Kalibangan I) is the Harappa, showing the characteristic grid layout of a metropolis and the lower one

(Kalibangan II) Early Harappa or antecedent Harappa.

Period I

•The settlement of Kalibangan I was fortified from

the beginning of the occupation. The fortification

was made of mud bricks.

•Within the walled area, the houses were built of

mud bricks of the same size as used in the fortification wall; the use of baked bricks is attested by a

drain within the houses,remains of ovens and cylindrical pits, lined with lime plaster.

•The distinctive trait of this Period is, however, the pottery, first identified at Sothi, which is

characterized by six fabrics, labelled A, B, C, D, E and F.

•Of these Fabrics, E and F distinguished essentially by surface colour (E by buff and F by grey) do not

show marked individualities in shape or in painted design and are also rather uncommon, particularly

the latter.

•Among the remaining, Fabrics A, B and D are marked by an individuality which isolate them from the

Harappa as Semblage.

1.Fabric A is a carelessly potted ware showing painted designs in light-black combined at times With

white;

2.Fabric B is distinguished essentially by the roughened or rusticated surface of the lower portion of

the pots, the upper part being smooth-slipped;

3.Fabric C is marked by a fine-textured paste and all-over smooth- slipped surface in shades of red

and purple or plum-red, recalling pottery from the pre-defence deposits of Harappa;

4.Fabric D is characterized by a thick sturdy section, represented in such shapes as the heavy jar,

trough and basin, the interior sides of the latter being decorated with ridged incisions of varying

patterns.

•Among the other finds of this Period are: small-sized blades of chalcedony and agate, sometimes

serrated or backed; beads, variously of steatite, shell, carnelian,terracotta and copper; bangles of

copper, shell and terracotta; terracotta objects like a toy-cart wheel and a bull; quem with mullers, a

bone point, and copper celts, including an unusual axe.

Period II

•In this Period the settlement into two parts – the citadel (KLB-l) on the W., located atop the

abandoned settlement of Period I, and the lower city (KLB-2) towards the e., laid out on the natural

plain, leaving a gap of about 40 m.

•The citadel complex was roughly a parallelogram and consisted of two almost equal but separately

patterned parts.

•Both these parts were contained by a fortification wall, and the enclosed area contained some five to

six massive platforms of mud bricks, each separate from the other and perhaps intended for a specific

purpose by the community as a whole

•The lower ciry was also a parallelogram. It was found to be enclosed by a fortification wall, involving

three to four structural phases.

•It was made of mud bricks of similar sizes as those used for the fortifications of the citadel (40 x 20 x

10 and 30 x 15 x 7.5 cm).

•Within the walled city was a gridiron plan of streets running n. to s. and e. to w., dividing the area into

blocks.

•The use of baked bricks being confined to wells,drains, bathing platforms, door-sills, etc.

•Besides the above two principle parts of the metropolis there was also a third one-a moderate

structure situated upwards of m e. of the lower town containing four to five fire altars. This lonely �

structure may perhaps have been used for ritual purposes.

•The finds of this Period are all characteristic of the Harappa civilization significant amongst which is a

cylindrical seals, however, noteworthy that the pottery of Period I continues alongside the Harappa

pottery up to about half the height of KLB-2 where after it entirely gives way to the Harappa.

•Three types of burials have been attested: extended inhumation in rectangular or oval pot burial in a

circular pit; and rectangular or oval grave-pit, containing only pottery and other funerary objects. The

latter two methods were unassociated with any skeletal remains.

Major Pre-historical evidences of Rajasthan

The Sahibi River

•Archaeological findings on the Sahibi River have confirmed habitations on its banks before

the Harappanand pre-Mahabharata

•Both handmade and wheel-made earthernware dated from 3309–2709 BCE and 2879–2384 BCE

has been found on the banks of the Sahibi River at Jodhpura.

•INTACH-Rewari found pottery on the Sahibi riverbed at Hansakain the Rewari district.

•A red stone statue of VamanaDev was found in the Sahibi riverbed near Bawal in 2002; the statue is

now displayed at the Shri Krishna Museum, Kurukshetra.

•Other artifacts discovered in the Sahibi River include arrowheads, fishhooks, appearheads, awls, and

chisels.

Sothi

•Sothiis an early archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in the Ganganagar

District of Rajasthan, India, at a distance of about 10 km southwest of Nohar railway station.

•First discovered by Luigi Pio Tessitori, the site was later visited by Aurel Stein(1942), Amalananda

Ghosh (1950-53), and Kshetrams Dalal (1980).

•Sothi-Siswal culture is named after these two sites, located 70 km apart. It was widespread in

Rajasthan, Haryana, and in the Indian Punjab.

•As many as 165 sites of this culture have been reported.

•There are also broad similarities between Sothi-Siswal and Kot Diji ceramics. Kot Diji culture area is

located just to the northwest of the Sothi-Siswal area.

•Sothi-Siswal ceramics are found as far south as the Ahar-Banas culture area in southeastern

Rajasthan.

•Sothi is the site of a Pre-Indus Valley Civilisation settlement dating to as early as 4600 BCE.

•According to Tejas Garge, Sothi culture precedes Siswal culture considerably, and should be seen as

the earlier tradition

Ganeshwar

•Ganeshwaris a village in Neem-Ka-Thana Tehsil (Mandal) in the Sikar District of the Indian state

of Rajasthan. Ganeshwar is 7.9 kilometres distance from Neem-Ka- Thana town, 66.4 kilometres

from Sikarcity and 83 kilometres from Jaipur.

•Excavations in the area revealed the remains of a 4,000-year-old civilization.

•Historian Ratna Chandra Agrawal wrote that Ganeshwar was excavated in 1977. Red pottery was

found here with black portraiture.

•The period was estimated to be 2500–2000 BC. Nearly one thousand pieces of copper were found

there.

•Ganeshwar is located near the copper mines of the Sikar-Jhunjhunu area of the Khetricopper belt

in Rajasthan.

•Excavations revealed copper objects including arrowheads, spearheads, fish hooks, bangles and

chisels. With its microliths and other stone tools, Ganeshwar culture can be ascribed to the pre-

Harappan period. Ganeshwar mainly supplied copper objects to Harappa.

•The Ganeshwar people partly lived on agriculture and largely on hunting.Although their principle craft

was manufacture of copper objects but they were unable to urbanize.

•With its microliths and other stone tools, much of Ganeshwar culture can be considered a pre-

Harappan Chalcolithic culture that contributed to the making of the mature Harappan culture.

•The copper was obtained in the nearby Aravalli Range.

Binjor – 4MSR

•Binjor – 4MSR (Thed of the local villagers) is an archaeological site in India, near the international

border between Punjab and Rajasthan.

•It is situated a couple of kilometers from Binjor village, Anupgarh tehsil, Sri Ganganagar district.

•4MSR, in the Ghaggar river (Ghaggar-Hakra River) valley and excavated by Archaeological Survey of

India (ASI), is widely considered as an Early Harappan and Mature Harappan site (Indus Valley

Civilization).

•There are no indications that a Late Harappan phase existed. In the Ghaggar river valley,

explorations and excavations had been done in several sites. These sites included Kalibangan, 46 GB

and Binjor 1, 2, 3 and 4, Rakhigarhi and Baror.

•The purpose of the present excavation at 4MSR is to learn about the Early Harappan deposits,

relationship with other contemporary sites and to fill the gap between the Late Harappan phase and

the Painted Grey Ware culture.

Balathal

•Balathalis an archaeological site located in Vallabhnagar tehsil of Udaipur district of Rajasthan state

in western India.

•The Kataranadi River is very close to the site and archaeologists believe there may have been

another large body of water that existed but has since become dry.

•This site, located 6 km from Vallabhnagar town and 42 km from Udaipur city, was discovered by V. N.

Misra during a survey in 1962-63.

•It was excavated from 1994 to 2000, jointly by the Department of Archaeology of the Deccan

College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune and the Institute of Rajasthan Studies, Rajasthan

Vidyapeeth, Udaipur under the direction of V. N. Misra of the Deccan College.

•This ancient site was occupied during two cultural periods: the Chalcolithic and the Early Historic.

There was also a significant amount of time that the site was abandoned after its earliest period of

occupation.

•The houses found at the site are square or rectangular made of mud brick, stone, and wattle and

daub.

•It has been determined that the people practiced agro-pastoralism, which is a mixture of both farming

and herding animals.

•Pottery at the site has been thoroughly analyzed and tells much about life at this ancient site.

•Balathal is part of the Ahar-Banas Complex and can be connected to other Ahar-Banas culture sites

through artifacts that have been discovered.

•Some of the pottery from Balathal was locally produced, while other types found at Balathal came

from other sites in the Ahar-Banas Complex, such as Gilund, Ojiyana, Marmi, and Ahar.

Important Tourist PlacesJaipur

•City Palace:-The City Palace is one of the best tourist places to visit in Rajasthan. It is a palace

complex in Jaipur that houses the famous Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal. The Chandra Mahal is

one of the most popular tourist places in Rajasthan. It was once the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur and

was built between 1729 and 1732. The construction of the palace was started by Maharaja Sawai Jai

Singh II of Amber and later on, additions were made to the structure by successive rulers till the 20th

century.The main entry gates into the City Palace complex are the Virendra Pol, the Udai Pol and the

Tripolia Gate. Commoners and tourists can enter the City Palace only through the Virendra Pol and

the Udai Pol. The most famous tourist spots within the palace complex are the Chandra Mahal and the

Mubarak Mahal.

•Amber (Amer) Fort and Palace:-The Amber Fort, more generally known as the Amer Fort, is one of

the most popular and is situated at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. The

Amber Fort and Palace are some of the most popular tourist places in Rajasthan and attract crowds

by the score from both within and outside the country. Overlooking the Maota Lake, the fort is best

known for its artistic representation of Hindu elements. The fort is built with red sandstone and marble

and consists of the Diwan-e-Aam or the Hall of Public Audience, the Diwan-e-Khaas or the Hall of

Private Audience, the Sheesh Mahal and the Sukh Niwas. Remarkably, the Sukh Niwas has a very

indigenous form of air-conditioning wherein artificial winds are blown over a water cascade to cool the

surroundings. The Amer Palace served as the royal residence of Rajput Maharajas and their families.

At the entrance of the Amber Fort, there is a temple dedicated to Sila Devi, who is a goddess of the

Chaitanya Cult.

•The Jantar Mantar Observatory:- in Jaipur is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments.

The Jantar Mantar was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II who served as a commander to Mughal

Emperor Aurangzeb. The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is architecturally based on the one that is present in

New Delhi. Both of them were built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The king constructed five such

structures in different places including Delhi, Ujjain and Mathura. The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the

best preserved among all these structures and has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by

UNESCO.The Jantar Mantar attracts a number of astronomers, students of Vedic astronomy and

tourists from all over the world. Local astronomers still use it to predict the weather for local farmers.

The Jantar Mantar can be called the single most representative work of Vedic astronomy.The Jantar

Mantar houses a giant sun dial called the Samrat Yantra and other astronomical instruments such as

the Nadivalya Yantra, the Jai Prakash Yantra and the Laghu Samrat Yantra.

Udaipur

•Kumbhalgarh Fort:-The Kumbhalgarh Fort is situated in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. The

fort is best known as the birthplace of one of the greatest warriors of India, Maharana Pratap. The fort

was built during the course of the 15th century, and further additions were made to it in the 19th

century.The fort is now open to the public and is lit up in decorative lights every evening for a few

minutes. The Kumbhalgarh Fort is the next most important fort in Mewar after the Chittorgarh Fort. The

fort was built by Rana Kumbha and his dynasty, which belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs.The

entrance of the fort is through the Aret Pol or Gate. There are other entry gates such as the Halla Pol,

Hanuman Pol, Ram Pol and Vijay Pol. The Hanuman Pol is important as it enshrines an image of Lord

Hanuman which was brought to the fort from Mandavpur by Rana Kumbha. The Kumbhalgarh is a

must-visit destination among the tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.

•Lake Pichola:-Lake Pichola is one of the most popular tourist places in Rajasthan. It is an artificial

lake which has been named after the Picholi village and was created in 1362 AD. It is one of the

several contiguous lakes in Udaipur, which were primarily developed to meet the irrigation and

drinking requirements of the local people. There are four islands on the lake and palaces have been

developed on these lakes to provide a better view of the expanse of the lake. The four islands and the

palaces built on them are:

1.Jag Niwas – the Lake Palace is built on this island.

1.Jag Mandir – the Jag Mandir is built on this island.

•Mohan Mandir – a palace was built on this island and it was used by the king for watching the annual

Gangaur festival celebrations.

1.Arsi Vilas – the Arsi Vilas is a small island which has an ammunition depot and a small palace. This

palace was used by the kings to view the sunsets.

•Fateh Prakash Palace:-The Fateh Prakash Palace is a great choice for visitors. It was built in the

early 20th century and is named after Maharana Fateh Prakash, who was the king during the

construction of the palace. The palace was used as a venue by the kings in earlier days and has now

been converted into a hotel. The palace is still owned by the Mewar Royal Family of Udaipur.The

Fateh Prakash Palace has won five tourism awards in the ‘Heritage Grand’ category and is one of the

two authentic palace hotels in the Udaipur City Palace Complex. The palace’s counterpart is called the

Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel which is quite popular with tourists visiting Udaipur.The most appealing

feature of the Fateh Prakash Palace is the old world charm it has retained, which makes it stand apart

in a crowd of imitation palace hotels which is becoming a new trend in Udaipur.

•Haldi Ghati:-Haldi Ghati is a very popular tourist place in Rajasthan. It is a mountain pass in the

Aravalli Range and connects the Rajsamand and the Pali districts. The pass gets its name due to its

yellow coloured soil, which has been compared to the colour of turmeric.Haldi Ghati has great

historical significance as it had stood witness to the war between one of India’s greatest warriors

Maharana Pratap and Raja Man Singh of Amber, who was a general to Mughal Emperor Akbar. Today,

a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his favourite horse Chetak has been installed at the Haldi

Ghati by the Government of India. The region is also famous for its charity rose product and the mud

art of Molela.

Jodhpur

•Mehrangarh Fort :-The Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India, situated at an elevation

of 440 feet from the city. The fort is enclosed by high and sturdy walls and encloses several palaces

and temples within its complex. The Mehrangarh Fort is quite popular among tourists visiting Jodhpur

and attracts tourists from all over the country and the world.The walls of the fort still bear the imprints

of cannon balls from attacks during the reign of the Rajput rulers. On the left of the fort, you can find a

chattri dedicated to a soldier called Kirat Singh Soda who fell on the spot while defending the fort.

Handprints can still be found on the walls and for this reason, the fort attracts a large number of

tourists.

Besides the palaces, the Mehrangarh Fort also has a museum which is one of the most well-stocked

museums in Rajasthan. The Mehrangarh Fort is a must-visit destination among all the Rajasthan

tourist places.

Jodhpur

•Umaid Bhawan Palace:-The Umaid Bhawan Palace, originally called the Chittar Palace, is one of

the world’s largest private residences. While a part of the palace is still used by the Jodhpur Royal

Family, another part has been leased out to the Taj Group of Hotels and it is now being run as a

heritage hotel by them.The palace has about 347 rooms and is divided into three parts. One part of

the palace is the royal residence, the other part is a heritage hotel and the third part is a museum. The

Umaid Bhawan Palace museum showcases the 20th century history of the Jodhpur Royal Family. The

museum also has a gallery which showcases the automobiles owned by the royal family.The Umaid

Bhawan Palace was initially called the Chittar Palace due to its location on the Chittar Hill, which is the

highest point in Jodhpur. The construction of the palace was done in 1929 to provide employment to

thousands during the famine.

Jaisalmer

•Jaisalmer Fort:-The Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest forts in the world. It is called the Sonar Qila

in the local language as it is made of yellow sandstone. The Jaisalmer Fort takes on a yellow hue in

the sun rays and turns a beautiful honey gold colour at sunset. The golden yellow colour of the fort

makes it camouflaged in the sandy stretches of Jaisalmer. Furthemore, the Jaisalmer Fort is the only

living fort in the country.It is home to a number of people and is noted for the palaces, Jain temples,

Laxminath temple, massive gateways and merchant havelis that are enclosed within its walls. Of late,

the Jaisalmer Fort has been facing issues due to seepage problems. Water from the restaurants and

hotels within the fort is seeping through the walls and is causing it damage.

•Sam Sand Dunes:-The Sam Sand Dunes make for one of the most popular tourist destinations in

the state of Rajasthan. It is the point where one can completely lose oneself in the mesmerizing

beauty of the Thar Desert. From this point there is only a vast stretch of sand dunes with sparse or no

vegetation.There are several camps at this point which can offer you a Desert Safari on a camel. In

the months of February and March, the region turns into a cultural hub. The Desert Festival is

organised here and several cultural programmes such as puppet shows, folk dance performances,

competitions and general festivities are held here. This attracts a large number of tourists from all over

the country and the world.

•Gadsisar Lake:-Gadsisar Sagar Lake is situated to the South of the city walls of Jaisalmer. The

Gadsisar Lake was once the main source of water for the people of the region and is surrounded by

shrines and small temples. The temples have elaborate archways and the lake looks extremely

beautiful flowing by the side of these temples.In winters, the lake looks even more picturesque and the

tranquillity of the place is broken only by the chirping of a variety of birds that flock here. There is a

very interesting legend regarding the construction of the arched gate near the Gadsisar Lake.It is

believed that a beautiful courtesan offered to fund the construction of the arched gateway. However,

the king refused to take the money from the courtesan as he considered it to be beneath his dignity.

The courtesan however got the archway built when the king was out of town and had a Krishna temple

installed there so that the king could not break it.

Ajmer and Pushkar

•Pushkar Lake:-The Pushkar Lake is situated in the town of Pushkar in Ajmer. The Pushkar Lake is

an important site of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is believed that a dip in the Pushkar Lake can cleanse

sins and cure skin diseases.Furthermore, the Brahma temple situated near the Pushkar Lake also

attracts a large number of tourists from all over the country and the world. There are about 500 Hindu

temples situated on the banks of the Pushkar Lake. The lake has about 52 bathing ghats and

hundreds and thousands of pilgrims throng these ghats to take a holy dip, especially during Kartik

Purnima.The Brahma temple is one of the main attractions near the Pushkar Lake. The present

structure dates back to the 14th century, while the original temple is believed to be more than 2000

years old. The Pushkar Lake has been referred to as Tirtha Raj in scriptures and is believed to be the

King of all pilgrimage sites.

•Nizammudin Dargah:-The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer is one of the most popular tourist places in

Rajasthan. It is the maqbara or grave of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinudeen Chisti and attracts hundreds

and thousands of devotees, pilgrims and tourists from all over the country and the world.The main

entrance to the shrine is the Nizam Gate. Following this is the Shahjahani Gate, which was built by the

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The next gate that follows the Shahjahani Gate is the Buland Darwaza,

which leads to the shrine. The Urs flag is hoisted on the Buland Darwaza and marks the beginning of

the shrine.The dargah is managed by the Dargah Committee, appointed under The Dargah Khwaja

Saheb Act of 1955. The committee takes care of the maintenance of the shrine, manages donations

and runs charitable institutions such as guest houses for pilgrims and dispensaries.

•Pushkar Camel Fair:-The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the main attractions of Ajmer. This five-day

annual cattle and livestock fair attracts a large number of tourists from all over the country and the

world. Apart from the trade of camels and livestock, a number of interesting competitions such as

Matka Fod, Longest Moustache and Bridal Competition are held here.The Pushkar Camel Fair is one

of the largest camel fairs in the world. As per the Imperial Gazetteer of India, as many as 1,00,000

pilgrims participated in the fair in the 1900s. To attract more tourists, the state tourism department has

also introduced a friendly cricket match between the local club members and random

tourists.However, the main attraction of the Pushkar Camel Fair is the competition of camels. Camels

are decked in jewellery and rallied to the grounds. The camels participate in a number of competitions

such as camel dance, tug of war, camel races, and many others. These activities, in particular, are

extremely popular with tourists. The Pushkar Camel Fair is undoubtedly one the most unique and

must-visit.

Mount Abu

•Dilwara Jain Temples :-The beautiful Dilwara Jain temples are situated at just 2.5 km from Mount

Abu. The temples are known for their beautiful architecture and intricate carvings. The temples were

built between the 11th and 13th centuries by Chalukya. There are five temples in the complex that

exhibit excellent architectural styles and exquisite carvings.The Dilwara temples are considered a

sacred place of pilgrimage and also the most beautiful among all Jain temples. Pilgrims visit the

Dilwara Jain temples and perform puja. Devotees are required to take a bath and dress accordingly to

perform the puja. The temple administration has made arrangements for the bath, changing rooms

and warm water for devotees to bathe and change clothes for the puja. Water is heated using solar

power in these temples.

•Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary:-The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Aravalli Range

of Rajasthan and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1980. The wildlife sanctuary sprawls on a

plateau and measures 19 km in length and 6 km in width.The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary abounds

in flora and fauna and is home to about 112 plant families, 250 species of birds and a large number of

wild animals such as hedgehogs, porcupines, Indian hares, mongoose, pangolin, bears, wild boars,

langurs, and many others. The sanctuary provides an ideal habitat to sloth bears too.

•Nakki Lake:-Nakki Lake is situated in Mount Abu. The lake derives its name from a legend that it was

dug out using nails, which is called Nakh in Hindi and Sanskrit. The Nakki Lake is believed to be very

sacred and is a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination.According to legend, the lake was dug by

gods to stay protected from the Bashkali demon. Another legend suggests that it was dug out by a

sculptor called Rasiya Balam to win the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage. However, the king refused

to give his daughter in marriage to Rasiya Balam. A temple dedicated to Rasiya Balam and the

Kunwari Kanya, the king’s daughter, is situated just behind the Dilwara temple.Another important

tourist attraction in the region is the Toad Rock. The rock resembles a toad that is about to leap into

the water and hence the name.

•Guru Shikhar:-The Guru Shikhar is one of the peaks in the Arabuda Mountains of Rajasthan. It is

also highest point in the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan. Guru Shikhar rises to an elevation of 5,676 feet

and is 15 km from Mount Abu. There is a temple dedicated to Dattatreya, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, at

the top of Guru Shikhar in a cave. Very close to the temple, the Physical Research Laboratory

operates the Mount Abu Observatory.

Bharatpur

•Keoladeo National Park:-The Keoladeo National Park, also known as the Keoladeo Ghana National

Park, was formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The park plays host to a large number of

migratory birds during the winters. An estimated number of 230 species of birds have made the

Keoladeo National Park their home.The park was declared as a protected zone in 1971 and has also

been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The Keoladeo National Park is man-

made and was earlier used as a hunting ground for waterfowls. Today, the reserve protects the town of

Bharatpur from floods, provides grazing ground for cattle and is home to a number of wild animals and

birds.The Keoladeo National Park is one of the richest bird sanctuaries in the world and hence attracts

a large number of wildlife enthusiasts, ornithologists and tourists from all over the world.

•Deeg Palace:-The town of Deeg is situated at a distance of 32 km from Bharatpur. It is one of the

important tourist places in Rajasthan and is known for its palaces, temples and gardens. The Deeg

Palace is situated in this town and is known for its architectural beauty. The palace was built by Raja

Surajmal with the objective of warding off the scorching heat of the summers.There are several pools,

fountains and plants in the Deeg Palace. There are two large water tanks called the Gopal Sagar and

the Rup Sagar that help in lowering the temperatures during summers. The most interesting part of the

Deeg Palace is the Keshav Bhawan. It is a single-storeyed baradari which has an octagonal base.

Another interesting feature is the artificial rain and thunder atmosphere created in the palace. The

water jets in the fountains create a monsoon like effect and heavy metal balls placed around the roof

produce the thunderous sound.

•Lohagarh Fort:-Raja Surajmal created a number of palaces and forts in Bharatpur. One of these

forts is the Lohagarh Fort, which is also among the strongest forts in the country. The fort was built in a

manner so as to stand resistant to attacks from invaders.In 1805, the British, under the leadership of

Lord Lake, laid siege to the fort. Despite repeated attacks, they could not penetrate the fort. They lost

more than 3000 soldiers and the British forces withdrew from the attack. The British later had to strike

a compromise with the ruler of Bharatpur. The fort has two gates facing the North and South

directions. The one facing the North is called the Ashtadhatu Gate while the one facing the Southern

direction is called the Chowburja Gate.Noteworthy monuments in the fort include the Jawahar Burj,

Fateh Burj, the Kishori Mahal and the Kothi Khas.

Chittorgarh

•The Chittorgarh Fort is the largest fort in India and the grandest fort in the state of Rajasthan. The

fort, which is also called Chittor, was the seat of power of the rulers of Mewar.The fort was attacked

three times between the 15th and the 16th centuries and was captured by invaders. The bravery and

courage of the Rajput warriors, their womenfolk and children is what distinguishes this fort from all

other forts in Rajasthan. After each defeat, the brave women and children of the Rajput warriors

performed Jauhar or self-immolation.The fort is symbolic of the courage and values of the brave

Rajput rulers who reigned over Mewar.

•Tower of Victory or Vijay Stambh:-The Tower of Victory or Vijay Stambh is one of the most prized

possessions of Chittorgarh. The pillar is situated inside the Chittorgarh Fort and was constructed by

the king of Mewar Rana Kumbha during the period from 1442 to 1449 AD.The tower was erected to

commemorate his victory over the combined armies of Marwar and Gujarat. The tower is dedicated to

the Hindu God Lord Vishnu and is a nine-storeyed structure. The Vijay Stambh has been constructed

with red sandstone and white marble and the walls of the tower have the images of Hindu gods and

goddesses carved on them. Each storey is marked with openings and balconies.

Badal Mahal:-Badal Mahal is situated within the Taragarh Fort. The beautiful palace is known for its

architectural grandeur and its beautiful paintings and murals. The palace is a major tourist attraction in

Bundi and attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists because of its exquisite paintings.

The paintings and murals of Badal Mahal are of particular interest as they depict the influence of

China and Chinese culture on this little town.Opium, which was grown in Bundi and traded to China,

was the connecting factor between the town and China. The paintings depict the faces, flowers and

the general life of the people, and effectively portray the richness of life during those days.

Bundi

•Taragarh Fort:-One of the best tourist places to visit in Rajasthan is the Taragarh Fort or the Star

Fort in Bundi. The fort was constructed in 1534 AD on a hillside. The fort has three gateways called

the Laxmi Pol, the Phuta Darwaza and Gagudi ki Phatak. Today, most parts of the fort are in a

dilapidated condition. However, it still looks majestic and is the most impressive monument in Bundi.

•During earlier times, the Taragarh Fort had a number of tunnels running through the entire hill. These

tunnels have now been closed for want of maps. The fort had impressive battlements, the largest of

them being the Bhim Burj, on which were mounted huge cannon balls called the Garbh Gunjam.The

fort also has huge water reservoirs, which were built to cater to the water requirements of the

residents of the city. The other major attraction of the Taragarh Fort is the Rani Mahal, which served as

a harem for the wives and concubines of the rulers. The fort also has Miran Saheb ki Dargah.

•Step Well of Bundi:-Bundi is best known for its step wells. These step wells, called Baoris in the

local language, were the only source of water for the people of the region, till piped water was

provided. There are more than 50 step wells in the region, but only a very few have been

maintained.Most people abandoned the step wells after piped water was introduced and this resulted

in their dilapidation. Some of these step wells unfortunately are now being used as dumpsters. The

step wells of Bundi boast of exquisite beauty and architectural excellence. Several rich people

constructed magnificent tanks and step wells and attached religious significance to the tanks. These

people were considered to be noble and won the respect of the commoners.

Kota

•City Fort Palace:-The City Fort Palace is situated near the Kota Barrage and overlooks the beautiful

Chambal River. The City Fort Palace has a museum which contains an impressive collection of

artefacts belonging to the Kota rulers. The main entrance to the City Fort Palace is through the Naya

Darwaza. The Maharao Madho Singh Museum lies to the right of the City Fort complex. The Maharao

Madho Singh Museum has a very interesting collection of frescoes, miniature paintings, armoury and

artistic items owned by the Kota rulers.The City Fort Palace is a must-visit for those interested in

architecture, heritage and history. Overlooking the River Chambal, the city Fort Palace is a beautiful

monument in Kota.

•Jagmandir Palace:-The Jagmandir Palace is another one of the tourist attractions in Kota. The

Jagmandir Palace was built by one of the queens of Kota in 1740 and is situated in the middle of the

Kishore Sagar Lake. The Kishore Sagar Lake is an artificial lake and is well known for its scenic

beauty.It was built by Prince Dehra Deh of Bundi in 1346 AD. Built in red sandstone, the Jagmandir

Palace is a monument of exquisite beauty and boasts of architectural excellence. The palace served

as a pleasure palace for the kings of Kota.Today, the palace is open to tourists and they can enjoy

boat rides in the Kishore Sagar Lake and enjoy the panoramic view of the palace and its surroundings

from the lake. The Keshar Bagh is also situated near the Jagmandir Palace and is well known for its

royal cenotaphs.

•Chambal Garden:-The Chambal Garden is situated on the banks of the River Chambal. The River

Chambal is one of the major tourist attractions of the city of Kota. A number of palaces and temples

are built on its banks and are a major draw for tourists from all over the country and the world.The

Chambal Gardens are famous for its well-manicured layout and are frequented by locals and tourists

throughout the year. The Chambal Garden has a beautiful pond in the centre which is replete with

gharials. The Chambal Gardens also had muggers in the pool earlier. The pond can be crossed using

a suspension bridge or a boat. A boat ride enables visitors to view these fish-eating reptiles from close

quarters.

Salient features of Architecture – Forts and

MonumentsMajor Forts of Rajasthan

Hill Forts of Rajasthan. The serial site, situated in the state of Rajastahan, includes six majestic forts in

Chittorgarh; Kumbhalgarh; Sawai Madhopur; Jhalawar; Jaipur, and Jaisalmer are included in the list of

UNESCO World heritage sites

Serial No Name of Fort Constructed by Location Related Dynasty

1 Mehrangarh Rao Jodha Jodhpur Rathore

2 Taragarh Ajay Pal Ajmer Chauhan

3 Gagron Dord Parmar Jhalawar Parmar

4 Bhatner Bhupat Bhati Hanumangarh Rathore

5 Nahargarh Sawai Jaisingh Jaipur Kachwah

6 Lohagarh Surajmal Bharatpur Jat

7 Ranthambore Ranthamban Dev Sawai Madhepur Chauhan

8 Junagarh Raja Raisingh Bikaner Rathore

9 Kumbhalgarh Maharana Kumbha Kumbhalgarh Sishodiya

10 Chittord Chitrangad Mori Chitorgarh Sishodiya

11 Achalgarh Maharana Kumbha Mount Abu Parmar

12 Jaigarh Mirja Raja Jai Singh Jaipur Kachwah

13 Jalore Nagbhat Jalore Parmar

14 Jaisalmer Rawal Jaisal Jaisalmer Bhati

15 Taragarh Rao Barsingh Bundi Hada

16 Nagore Samant Kaimas Nagore Rathore

17 Bala Aldhurai Alwar Kachwah

18 Mandalgarh Chauhans Bhilwara Chauhan

19 Churu – Churu Kayamkhani

20 Kuchaman – Nagore Rathore

Mazor Architectural Sties of Rajasthan

Adhai-Din-ka-Jhonpra Ajmer

a Masjid built by Qutub-ud-Din-Aibak, first

Sultan of Delhi, in AD 1199 contemporary

to the other one built at Qutub-Minar

complex of Delhi known as Quwal-ul-Islam

mosque (power of Islam). Sultan Iltutmish

had subsequently beautified it in AD 1213

with a screen pierced by corbelled

engrailed arches which appears in this

country for the first time.

Baori on the Ajmer-

Jaipur RoadAjmer

The baori is simple in construction with an

almost square tank (5.60 m x 5.00 m) at

the northern end, which is approached by

a 3.20 m wide stepped passage from the

south. The western face of the tank has

two pillars with intricate carvings of vase-

and-foliage motifs, which may represent

remains of some ancient temple in the

nearby area. Other sculptures which are

fixed in the passage walls include Ganesa,

Vishnu and other deities. The baori is

datable to 17th century AD.

Badshahi Haveli Ajmer Built under the order of the Akbar, this

Haveli has a pillared hall surrounded by a

double colourande with wide bracket

capitals and a room on a all four corners.

It is rectangular in shape and has its

entrance through eastern verandah. The

pillars, brackets and chhajjas of this

building are almost similar to those of the

audience hall in the magazine. It was

refurbished and converted by one of

Akbar’s Amirs for his residence.

Saheli Bazar Buildings

in Daulat BaghAjmer

It is a three-sided cellar complex which

has access from the Daulatbagh side. The

cells are small in size and have a narrow

verandah in front. The construction

material used was stone rubble and

lakhauri brick in lime mortar with lime

plaster.

Mahal Badshahi Pushkar

This is a small structure with two identical

pavilions of red sandstone standing on a

raised plinth built by the Mughal emperor

Jahangir in A.D. 1615. A Persian

inscription in Nastaliq characters over the

door of the northern pavilion indicates the

date of the structure.

Bhandasar Jain Temple Bikaner

The Bhandasar Jaina temple dedicated to

Sumatinath, consists of a garbhagriha, an

antarala, a mahamandapa and an

ardhamandapa. The sanctum is

pancharatha on plan which is crowned by

a lofty sikhara having karina-amalakas and

an amalaka at the top. The interior walls

and pillars of the sanctum and mandapa is

extensively painted, are late of origin.

Stylistically, the temple is assignable to

circa twelfth century A.D.

Jain Temple of Susani

Goddess

Morkhana The temple is dedicated to goddess

Susani, the Kuladevi of the Suranas, a

gotra of the mahajanas. The temple is built

on a high platform and consists of a

sanctum cella, enshrining an image of the

goddess, open hall and frontal porch. It is

built of Jaisalmer stone. An inscription of

A.D. 1172 attests to the antiquity of the

enshrined deity, though the existing temple

is later.

Mahakal temples Bijolia

The ancient site of Bijolian (Vindhyavali)

assumed importance as a holy place for

the Jainas and Saivas. Of the two rock

inscriptions, the one dated V.S. 1226

belonging to the Chahamanas records the

genealogy of the Chahamanas upto the

coronation of Somesvara and mentions

names of several Brahmanical temples,

then existing in Vindhyavali and

neighbouring places. One of these

temples was that of Mahakala.

Rock Inscriptions (12th

century)Bijolia

The ancient site of Bijolian (Vindhyavali)

assumed importance as a holy place for

the Jainas and Saivas. Of the two rock

inscriptions, the one dated V.S. 1226

belonging to the Chahamanas records the

genealogy of the Chahamanas upto the

coronation of Somesvara and mentions

names of several Brahmanical temples,

then existing in Vindhyavali and

neighbouring places. One of these

temples was that of Mahakala

Wall Paintings of

Hardoti School in the

palace

Bundi Explained in schools of paintings

Ghateshwar Temple Badoli

Pratihara style of temples of the tenth

century A.D. Of these temples, four are

dedicated to Siva, two to Mahishamardini

Durga and one each to Vishnu, Trimurti

and Ganesa. Three temples, respectively

dedicated to Siva as Ghatesvara,

Mahishamardini and Trimurti have

preserved their stately single spired

nagara sikharas, two have partly

preserved sikharas, clustered by anga-

sikharas, another two have much

damaged brick-built sikharas while two

shrines have completely lost their

superstructures

Mahanal Temple &

MathMenal

Mahanlal Temple and Math in Chittorgarh

is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Built

around 11th century, this place became

the centre of Shaivism during the reign of

Chahamanas. Built in the Bhumija style of

architecture with stellate pancharatha

ground plan and corresponding

superstructure carrying strings of

angasikharas, surmounted by a double

amalaka, this temple speaks of utter

magnificence and spirituality. A visit to this

temple is a must while you are on your

exploration tour of Chittorgarh.

Somnath Temple Deo Somnath Somnath Temple

Buddhist Caves and

PillarsBinnayaga (Dag) Buddhist Caves and Pillars

Caves of Naranjani etc. Binnayaga (Dag) Caves of Naranjani etc.

Buddhist Caves Hathiagor Buddhist Caves

Buddhist Caves, Pillars, Kolvi (Dag) Buddhist Caves, Pillars, Idols

Idols

Old Temples near the

ChandrabhagaJhalrapatan Old Temples near the Chandrabhaga

Ancient Mound Abaneri Ancient Mound

Baori Abaneri Baori

Harsat Mata ka Mandir Abaneri Harsat Mata ka Mandir

Banjaron ki Chhatri

(containing two pillars

similar to railing pillars

of Bharhut Stupa)

LalsotBanjaron ki Chhatri (containing two pillars

similar to railing pillars of Bharhut Stupa)

Sun Temple Amber Amber or Amer, anciently known as

Ambavati, was the capital of the territory

named Dhundara ruled by the

Kachhawaha rulers before Jaipur was

founded in 1727. Besides, a picturesque

palace and fort, Amber is also known for

its temples which are dedicated to both

Jaina and Hindu pantheons. The famous

Sun temple, situated to the west of Amber

town on the slope of the hill faces east-

southeast. It consists of a square sanctum,

a vestibule and pillared mandapa. The

sanctum is pancharatha on plan with

corbelled ceiling and open

pradakshinapatha. The sikhara also

follows the sanctum plan. The sukanasa is

shown in the form of a hollow square

passage. The bhadra niches are empty on

all three sides. The mandapa rests on

sixteen pillars with a vedi-kunda in the

centre and has a flat ceiling. The temple is

built of stone and brick and has been

repaired in recent times. An inscription on

one of the pillars in the front row of the

mandapa is dated V.S. 1011 (A.D. 954).

Jama Masjid Amber

This mosque is built on the usual plan has

five arched screen and deep mihrab on

the western wall. In front of the mosque

there is a courtyard entered through a

small gateways from three directions. A

Persian inscription to the left side of the

central arch states that this mosque was

built by the king of Amber, Bharmal by the

order of emperor Akbar in A.D. 1569.

Laxmi Narain’s Temple Amber The temple consists of a sanctum,

vestibule and an open assembly hall and

rests on a high platform relieved with deep

cells. It was built by Bala Bai, wife of

Prithviraj of Kachhawaha dynasty in the

first quarter of the sixteenth century A.D.

Bala Bai, daughter of Rao Loon Karan of

Bikaner, was a great devotee of lord

Sri Jagat Siromani ji

templeAmber

The temple was built by Sringar Devi

Kankawat, mother of Jagat Singh. The

building includes an exquisitely carved

marble torana, a Garuda chhatri and a

high temple dedicated to Radha-Krishna.

Facing west, temple consists of sanctum,

vestibule and mandapa, it stands on high

orinate pitha followed by vedibandha and

jangha. The square sanctum is crowned

by sikhara. The pillared mandapa has

lacteral trancepts with vaulted ceiling bear

the paintings. The construction was

started in A.D. 1599 and completed in A.D.

1608.

Pundrik ji-ki-Haveli

Paintings in a room

Brahmpuri Ratnakar Pundrikji-ki-Haveli at Brahmpuri

in Jaipur city, popularly known as

Pundrikji-ki-Haveli, was built by Maharaja

Sawai Jai Singh founder of Jaipur during

the eighteenth century A.D. Ratnakar

Pundrikji was royal purohit of Maharaja

Sawai Jai Singh, he was also a great

scholar of astrology and tantra. His original

name was Ratnakar Bhatt. Originally

belonging to Maharashtra, he had come

to Kashi (Varanasi) for advanced studies in

astrology and tantra. At this place,

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh met him and

was impressed by his expertise and

astounding knowledge. Sawai Jai Singh

then brought him from Kashi to Jaipur and

made him royal purohit, giving title of

‘Pundrik’. Pundrikji-ki-Haveli is famous for

having Jaipur school of mural paintings

belonging to mid eighteenth century A.D.

These paintings depict scenes of royal

court, celebration of Holi, Gangaur and

other festivals, royal processions and

army movements from palaces.

Yupa Pillars Badwa

The inscribed stone is a sacrificial pillar,

commemorating revival of the rituals

during third century A.D. by the Malava

Republic. The inscription records the

erection of the pillar by Ahisarman, son of

Dharaka who was Agnihotri. Ahisarman

seems to be a Malava chief.

Mand Kila Tal

Inscription

Nagar Mandkila Tal, locally known as Manikila

Talav is situated near the ancient mound

of Nagar, which was the capital site of the

Malava Republic. The Mandkila Tal

inscription dated V.S. 1043 (A.D. 987)

reveals that prosperity of Nagar which was

anciently known as Malava-nagara,

continued up to the tenth century A.D. The

first Vishnu temple, according to the

inscription, was built by Nagahari, a rich

merchant of the Dharkat caste, on the

bank of a tank known as Vaidya-tadaga.

The inscription was issued by Nandana,

fourth in descent from Nagahari, who

either built a new temple or refurbished the

old one and enshrined therein images of

the gods Vishnu, Harihara and Surya, who

are invoked in the initial verses. The poet

who composed this orinate inscription is

high flown Sanskrit verses is stated to be a

descendent of the famous author Bana,

court poet of king Harshavardhana (early

seventh Century A.D.). The existing temple

is a modern structure enshrining old

images.

Yupa Pillars in

Bichpuria TempleNagar

The inscribed stone is a sacrificial pillar,

commemorating revival of the rituals

during third century A.D. by the Malava

Republic. The inscription records the

erection of the pillar by Ahisarman, son of

Dharaka who was Agnihotri. Ahisarman

seems to be a Malava chief.

Pipa ji’s Temple Todarai Singh Explained in Saints of Rajasthan

Akbar’s Chhatri Bayana

It was built in honour of Akbar’s visit in

A.D. 1601-2 after his conquest of

Khandesh. Originally, this chhatri was

square on plan with dome-shaped roof

resting on four pillars which are now in

ruins.

Religion and Social ReformersSwami Keshawanand- Born at village Magloona in Sikar district of present-day Rajasthan in 1883,

Swamiji, whose actual name was Birama, was the son of Thakarsi, a penurious camel-driver, and his

wife Saran. The famine of 1899 forced the 16-year-old Birama to leave the desert region and move to

Punjab in search of livelihood. Circumstances had induced in him an ineffable spiritual quest. He

approached Mahant Kushaldas of the Udasin sect, to whom he expressed the desire to learn Sanskrit,

to be able to study the higher Hindu scriptures from primary sources. Noting that Birama belonged to

the Jat caste, which was barred from learning Sanskrit, On Mahant’s advice he became a Sanyasi and

in 1905 Kumbh Mela, He was conferred with the title of Swami Keshawanand by Mahatma Hirandji

Avadhut.

The Jalianwalla Bagh Massacre of 1919, which caused a profound impact on the collective psyche of

the Punjab, left Swami Keshawanand profoundly moved. He started attending the meetings of the

Indian National Congress, joined the Indian Independence Movement under the leadership of

Mahatma Gandhi, and participated in the non-co-operation movement, for which was imprisoned for

two years (1921–1922) at Ferozepur. In 1930, he was given charge of Congress activities in

Ferozepur district. He was again arrested the same year, but was soon released pursuant to the

Gandhi-Irwin pact.

Royal Services (eg. State Police, Princely State Army,etc.)

Hanuman Singh Budania – . He was in police service of princely state of Bikaner. He was

sympathetic to the people who did conspiracy against the state. This fact came to the notice of

Bikaner Maharaja and he was warned on this. He left the police services of Bikaner state in 1942 to

take part in the struggle for independence and joined Bikaner Rajya Praja Parishad. He spread the

message of freedom movement from village to villages and made villagers member of this Parishad. .

Maharaja enticed him by offering hundred murabas (irrigated land), but he refused. During the same

period there was a conference of the Indian Praja Parishads going on in Udaipur, chaired by Jawahar

Lal Nehru. Hanuman Singh Budania approached Pandit Nehru and told every thing to him.

In 1947 the farmer’s movement for freedom and abolition of Jagirs was in full swing. He was arrested

along with 8000 participating farmers and left in unknown forest. Later he was arrested and punished

with hard imprisonment for one year. To enhance the hardships in jail, snakes were left in his room. He

was released only after India got freedom in 1947.

Gurjars

•Vijay Singh Pathik alias Bhoop Singh Gurjar- This man initiated Satyagraha much before Mahatma

Gandhi. He joined revolutionary organisation in his teenage and took active part against British rule in

India. Pathikji’s non-cooperation movement was so successful that Lokmanya Tilak wrote a letter to

Maharana Fateh Singh to meet the demand of the Bijoliya agitators. Mahatma Gandhi sent his

secretary Mahadev Desai to study the movement.

•It was Pathikji who fought for the cause of united Rajasthan and had taken up the issue with Prime

Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel. He was jailed for having led the Kisan agitation in

Bijoliya. The Kisan Panchayat, Mahila Mandal and Yuvak Mandal invited Pathik to come and lead

them.Women of Mewar started to get respect from their folk men. Pathik made people feel that women

and men equality is necessary to develop a prosperous society.

Freedom Movement

Tribal Revolts of Rajasthan

The Mangarh Revolt

•The Govindgiri movement was named after the leader Govindgiri, a non-Adivasi born to the Banjara

caste resident in the village Vedsa in Dungarpur. Socially, the movement has its origin in the great

famine of 1899—Chhapania. During the famine, the crops failed completely and men and cattle

perished in great numbers. The Christians and the Bhagats came forward to help the Bhils. Govindgiri

styled himself as a monk. He declared that he was an incarination of God , that it was his mission to

reform the degenerate Bhils. He travelled in the regions of Dungarpur, Banswara, Sunt-

•Rampur, Idar and Panch-Mahals, which have been the Bhil land. In fact Govindgiri pressed for the

processes of Sanskritisation among the Bhils. Fuchs observes:

•He preached devotion to Rama; he forbade inter-dining with outsiders, even with Brahmins; he

encouraged pious and virtuous living and the company of good people; his followers should always

speak the truth, and abandon all kinds of falsehood; they should not steal, nor lust for another man’s

wife; they should abstain from meat and wine; they should bathe daily and wear clean clothes.

Govindgiri was activated by a sincere desire to reform the social habits and religious beliefs of the

Bhils. Through his efforts, Bhils began to emerge from their old dark and uncivilised conditions. The

teachings of Govindgiri were hailed as a gospel of freedom from age-old socio-religious bandages and

they came out of the state of inferiority complex. The Bhils were taught to consider themselves equals

to the higher Hindu castes. These ideas enlightened the Bhils and made them aware of their

conditions and rights. These ideas also compelled them to think that they were made downtrodden by

their present masters, the Rajas and Thakurs, while they were the owners of the land and ought to

rule over it again. Therefore, this socio-religious reform movement culminated in the economic-politico

movement.

•Govindgiri became popular among the Bhils. In 1905 he established ‘Samp Sabha’, an organisation

to unite the Bhils. The network of this sabha spread over a large area of Bhils.

•These activities alarmed the rulers, their officials and Jagirdars. They feared that Govindgiri’s

influence might undermine and subvert their authority. This attitude

•generated reactions among the Bhils. The movement gradually took a political colour. Nearly half the

population of these states was under the influence of Govindgiri’s

•The immediate cause of the Bhil uprising in 1923 was the social and religious reform movement

among the Bhils under the leadership of Govindgiri. The authorities tried to suppress this social and

religious reform movement with strong physical assaults. In reaction to these tyrannies of the state

and jagirdars, the Bhils united to fight against them under the leadership of Govindgiri. As a result, the

British suppressed the Bhils and almost 1,500 Bhils died. They had the following demands:-

Stop tax collection from Adivasis • Begar not to be given

Liquor not to be used • No theft

To develop social unity and brotherhood

Dig wells • End Dappa

Be clean and bathe regularly • Nothing like eating meat

Also Meribundi

Practise agriculture

Men not to wear jewellery

Meena Revolts (1851-1860)

In 1851 the Meenas of Jahajpur pargana in Udaipur state revolted against the British to show their

anger and resentment towards the new order. The British brought this area under strict control of the

Udaipur state. The proximity of the Meena tract to the British province of Ajmer made it possible to

establish state authority. The oppression of the Mers in 1820-21 created unrest in the minds of

Meenas of the Jahajpur pargana. In fact, the British were suspicious of Adivasis and dealt with them

accordingly and this led to an antagonistic feeling between the British and the Meenas. The revolts of

the Meenas and Bhils were not solely against the British, but against the princely states as the British

extended their policies through them.

In 1851, the Maharana of Udaipur appointed a new hakim (officer) of the Jahajpur pargana—Mehta

Raghunath Singh— who was busy minting money from the pargana. He was mostly interested in

raising the income of the pargana and reducing the expenditure. The Meenas decided to rebel against

these changes. The Maharana transferred Mehta Raghunath and a new hakim, Mehta Ajit Singh, was

appointed.

Bhil Revolts (1818-1860)

The Bhil tribe was known as a peaceful community, but the changes introduced by the British

compelled them to revolt against the British imperialists and the native feudal order.

They were enjoying undisturbed forest rights before the British rule. The majority of Bhils inhabited the

former princely states of Mewar (Udaipur), Dungapur, Banswara

and Sirohi of Rajasthan. In 1818, the states of Mewar (Udaipur), Dungapur and Banswara and in 1823

Sirohi concluded treaties with the British. The Bhils of Mewar state revolted against the new order that

emerged out of the Mewar-British Treaty in 1818. Their numerical strength was the main source of

their power to resist the well-equippedBritish and native forces.

Under the influence of the British rule, outsiders from plains, such as revenue officials, moneylenders,

contractors,land grabbers, traders and shopkeepers, penetrated their habitation causing sufferings.

They introduced new elements to poverty and imposed policies that made open the conflicts as they

eroded their traditions. As they led a free life, they could not relish the semi-feudal and semi-colonial

control. V.R. Raghavaiah rightly analysed that The tribals too initiated struggle to safeguard their

honour, to protect their cherished.

Mer Revolt (1818-1821)

The Bhil and Mer revolts began coincidentally in 1881. The Mer Revolt was short-lived, while the Bhil

revolt continued for a long time. The Mers were not under the direct control of any political authority,

though parts of their territory were within the boundary of Mewar and Marwar states, and the Suba of

Ajmer. The Mers never came under the control of the Rajputs, Mughals and Marathas. The British

were the first who tried to bring them under complete subordination and this became the cause of the

Mer revolt. The British wanted to impose tax which was possible only after they surrendered to the

British but instead faced tough resistance before they could defeat them.

Major Freedom Fighters of Rajasthan

Royalty

•Thakur Rao Gopal Singh of Kharwa- He organised an armed revolt against British for which he had to

face imprisonment for 4 years in Todagarh fort. He died in 1939. Every year people organise a Mela to

commemorate their former Thakur near Ajmer.

Aristocracy

•Daulat Mal Bhandari-Bhandari took active part in the freedom struggle. In 1942 he formed the “Azad

Morcha” in Jaipur and staged satyagrah. He was imprisoned for nine months. He also organised ‘Praja

Mandal’ in the Jaipur State.He served as the Development and Agriculture Minister of the erstwhile

Jaipur State in 1947 on being elected to the Jaipur State Legislative Assembly.

Farmers’ community

•Lothoo Ram Jat – It is said that he was the one responsible for creating grounds of 1857 Revolution

in Shekhawati region and Tatya Tope’s all hopes in Shekhawati region were from Lothoo and his team.

He could be regarded as ‘Robinhood of Shekhawati’. But he died 2 years before revolution and his

team had to surrender.

•Harlal Singh- Harlal Singh was a campaigner in the farmers’ movement of colonial India. Recruited to

politics by the Jat Mahasabha, he remained a member of that organisation from 1925 to 1929. This

Mahasabha was created by British to pacify Jats and prevent changes. . Later, in the 1940s, Singh

served as president of an urban-based political protest movement, called the Praja Mandal, and was

an important conduit between the urban and agrarian communities in their efforts seeking

independence of India. Post-independence, and with the Praja Mandals now a part of the Indian

National Congress, he was appointed by the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee as their

organiser in the former princely state of Jaipur.

Affluent Sections

•Sagarmal Gopa-Sagarmal Gopa was a freedom fighter born in affluent Brahmin family. He was a

follower of Gandhiji and author of ‘Jaisalmer ka Gundaraj’. He was expelled from states of Jaisalmer

and Hyderabad but still he worked from Nagpur. He died at age of 46 after being tortured for 5 years

by Jaisalmer state.

•Rao Tula Ram- Rao Tula Ram belonged to a family of Jagirdars. He is regarded as the one to win

Northern-Rajasthan and South-Haryana for the cause of 1857 rebellion. Noted as a good

administrator and military commander, after the 1857 uprising ended, he left India, met rulers of Iran

and Afghanistan and also established contacts with the Tsar of Russia, to seek their help in driving the

British from India. His plans were cut short by his death from dysentery in Kabul on 23 September

1863, aged 38.

Charan Community

•Pratap Singh Baharath- Pratap Singh Baharath was an independence activist from Rajasthan. He

took prominent part in the revolutionary movement against British rule in India. He joined the

Revolutionary Party as a follower of Ras Bihari Bose. He participated in the revolutionary plot to throw

a bomb at Lord Hardinge, Viceroy of India on 3 December 1912. He was arrested in Banaras

Conspiracy Case and was sentenced in Feb 1916 to five years RI. He was subjected to brutal torture

in Bareilly Central Jail to force him to divulge the names of his compatriots. He refused. He died in the

jail on 7 May 1918 as an unsung hero.

Administrative System of RajasthanRajasthan is divided into 33 districts for administrative purposes. The responsibilities of district

management are carried out by a number of All-India officials and a number of state-appointed

officials.

•The All-India officials in each district are a District Collector or District Magistrate (from the Indian

Administrative Service), a Superintendent of Police (from the Indian Police Service) and a Deputy

Conservator of Forests (from the Indian Forest Service), each of which is assisted by officers of

various Rajasthan state services.

•The state-appointed officials are responsible for matters such as health, education, and agriculture in

each district.

•The Constitution has divided the country‘s administration into two spheres, administration of the

Union, that is, national and of the States.

•The Union administration looks after the subjects in list 1 of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution

and the States administer the subjects enumerated in list 2.

•List 3 is the Concurrent list of subjects on which both the Union and the States are competent to

legislate and, so, to administer, but a Union law takes precedence over a State law on a matter in this

list.

•The administration of the Rajasthan State covers the matters which are easier to tackle from a

closer aloofness and those which conduce in better way to the welfare and development of the people.

Police, jails land tenure and revenue, public works (except national, that is, inter-state highways, and

river valleys, etc.), local government, etc., are examples of the former. Agriculture and animal

husbandry, Health and medicine, social welfare, are illustration of the latter.

•The Rajasthan State administer (that is, levy,- collect and use) the taxes on agricultural income,

estate and succession duties in respect of agricultural land, taxes on land and structures, electricity

duties, vehicle and profession taxes, etc. Some of these, for instance, octroi, property tax, etc., are

given over to the local bodies for levy collection and use through the State governments through

legislation.

•The common subjects in the Concurrent list enable both the Union and the Rajasthan State to

legislate and administer matters of special and economic significance and of legal nature implying

concern to both economic and social planning, transfer of property and contracts relating to other than

agricultural land, population control and family planning, trade unions and industrial labour,

employment and unemployment, etc. Civil and criminal laws are of concern to both, hence, are vested

in both the administrations. Education and forests and protection of wild life and birds have been

recently transferred from the State to the Concurrent list due to rising Rational concern in them.

POWERS OF THE RAJASTHAN STATE GOVERNMENTS

•The Union government and state governments derive their powers directly from the Constitution. The

Constitution has adopted a three-fold sharing of legislative powers flanked by the Union and the states

(Article 246).

•Schedule VII of the Constitution enumerates the subjects into three lists. List I or the Union List

consists of the subjects over which the Union has exclusive powers of legislation.

•Likewise, List II or the State List comprises subjects over which the state has exclusive powers of

legislation.

•There is yet another List (List III) recognized as the Concurrent List that comprises subjects over

which both the Union and states have powers to legislate. The residual powers are vested in the

Union.

ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR

•Our Constitution gives for the Parliamentary form of government at the Union as well as the state

stages.

•The Governor is the Constitutional head of the state and acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers

headed through the Chief Minister. He is appointed through the President for a term of five years and

holds office throughout his pleasure.

•He can be reappointed after his tenure as Governor of the same state or of another state.

•According to the Constitution, the Governor has several executive, legislative, judicial and emergency

powers.

•For instance, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister and on his advice the Council of Ministers. He

creates several other appointments like those of members of the State Public Service Commission,

Advocate General, Senior Civil Servant, etc.

•In fact, the whole executive work of the state is accepted on in his name. The Governor is a part of

the State Legislature. He has a right of addressing and sending messages to and of summoning,

proroguing the State Legislature and dissolving the Lower House.

•All the bills passed through the Legislature have to be assented to through him before becoming the

law. He can withhold his assent to the Bill passed through the Legislature and send it back for

reconsideration. If it is again passed with or without modification, the Governor has to provide his

assent. He may also reserve any Bill passed through the State Legislature for the assent of the

President.

•The Governor may also issue an Ordinance when the legislature is not in session. The Governor

even has the power to grant pardon, reprieve, respite, remission of punishment or to suspend, remit or

commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against any law related to a matter to

which the executive power of the state extends.

•As far as the emergency powers of the Governor are concerned, whenever the Governor is satisfied

that a situation has arisen in his state whereby the administration of the state cannot be accepted on

in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, he can report the fact to the President.

•On receipt of such a report, the President may assume to himself the powers of the state government

and may reserve for the Parliament the powers of the State Legislature (Article 356).

Powers and Functions of the Council of Ministers

•The Council of Ministers is the highest policy-creation body of the Rajasthan state government. It lays

down policy in respect to all matters within the legislative and administrative competence of the state

government.

•The Council also reviews the implementation of the policy laid down through it and can revise any

policy in view of the feedback received throughout implementation.

•Since the Governor has to exercise his executive powers on the advice of the Council of Ministers

and all the executive power is exercised in the name of the Governor, there is no limitation on the

powers of the Council except the following:

1.The limits imposed through the Constitution and the laws passed through the Union and State

Legislature

2.Self-imposed limits to exclude consideration of less significant matters.

The following are the typical present-day secretariat departments in the State governments:

•General Administration,

•Home,

•Revenue and Forests

•Agriculture, Food and Cooperation,

•Education and Social Welfare,

•Urban Development and Public Health,

•Finance,

•Structures and Communication,

•Irrigation and Power,

•Law and Judiciary,

•Industries and Labour,

•Rural Development.

STATE SECRETARIAT: ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONS MEANING OF SECRETARIAT

The three components of government at the state stage are:

1.The minister;

2.The secretary, and

3.The executive head.

•The minister and the secretary together constitute the Secretariat, whereas the office of the executive

head is designated as the Directorate.

•Literally, the term Secretariat‘ means the secretary‘s office. It originated at a time when what we had

in India was really a government run through the secretaries.

•A power of governance passed bands of the popularly elected ministers and therefore the Ministry

became the seat of authority.

•In the changed political situation, the term Secretariat has become a synonym for the minister‘s office.

But because the secretary is the principal adviser to the minister, he needs to be in the physical

vicinity of the minister.

•In effect, so, Secretariat refers to the complex of structures that houses the office of ministers and

secretaries.

•The expression Secretariat, it has been observed, is used to refer to the complex of departments

whose heads politically are ministers and administratively are the secretaries.

POSITION AND ROLE OF STATE SECRETARIAT

•The following extract from the Administrative Reforms Commission‘s Report on State Administration

gives a succinct expression to the position and role of the State Secretariat.

•The State Secretariat, as the top layer of the state administration, is primarily meant to assist the

state government in policy creation and in discharging its legislative functions.

•It also acts as a memory and a clearing house, preparatory to sure kinds of decisions and as a

general supervisor of executive action.

•The main functions of the State Secretariat are broadly as follows:

•Assisting the ministers in policy creation, in modifying policies from time to time and in discharging

their legislative responsibilities

1.Framing draft legislation, and rules and regulations

2.Coordinating policies and programmes, supervising and controlling their execution, and reviewing of

the results

3.Budgeting and control of expenditure

4.Maintaining get in touch with the Government of India and other state governments; and

5.Overseeing the smooth and efficient running of the administrative machinery and initiating measures

to develop greater personnel and organizational competence

PATTERNS OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SECRETARIAT AND DIRECTORATES

Directorates

•Directorates are the executive arm of the state government; they translate into action the policies that

are framed through the State Secretariat.

•Even though the conditions Directorates‘ and Executive Agencies‘ are often used interchangeably,

Directorates are but one kind of executive agency.

•Directorates are classified into two categories – Attached Offices and Subordinate Offices. This

classification facilitates academic comprehension of the roles, which the two kinds perform in policy

execution.

Local Administration

•Because the Directorates are concerned with policy execution, and the execution of policy necessity

necessarily take place in the field (i.e., at the district, block and village stages), the need arises for

them (Directorates) to make intermediate stage administrative agencies to coordinate and supervise

the field operations.

•This intermediate stage administrative setup flanked by the state headquarters (Directorate) and the

district is referred to as local administration‘.

•A generic term, which is used to refer to local stage agencies (and those at district and lower stages).

They could be described sub-statal agencies because they exist at stages below the state

headquarters.

•Each region comprises a sure number of districts. Therefore, a region is a real unit below the state

stage and above the district stage.

•As a rule, though not always, all executive departments at the state headquarters have local

organisations; names which these local agencies carry, vary from department to department.

Divisional Commissioners

•Divisional Commissioners, referred to above, are local agencies in respect of the states‘ revenue

function.

•Work of revenue administration at the state headquarters is entrusted not to a government

department, but to an autonomous agency described the Board of Revenue.

•So, Divisional Commissioners are but the local stage representatives of the Board of Revenue.

DISTRICT COLLECTOR

•A District Collector, also referred to basically Collector, is the chief administrative and revenue officer

of an Indian district.

•The Collector is also referred to as the District Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner and, in some

districts, as Deputy Development Commissioner.

•A District Collector is a member of the Indian Administrative Service, and is appointed through the

State government.

•The district sustained to be the unit of administration after India gained independence in 1947.

•The role of the District Collector remained largely unchanged, except for separation of mainly judicial

powers to judicial officers of the district.

•Later, with the promulgation of the National Extension Services and Community Development

Programme through the Nehru government in 1952, the District Collector was entrusted with the

additional responsibility of implementing the government’s development programs in the district.

DUTIES

•The District Collector is entrusted with a wide range of duties in the jurisdiction of the district.

•The area of land in a district also varies widely, from 45,652 km (larger than Denmark or Switzerland)

to 9 km. While the actual extant of the responsibilities varies in each State, they usually involve:

As Collector:

1.Land assessment

2.Land acquisition

3.Collection of land revenue

4.Collection of income tax dues, excise duties, irrigation dues etc.

5.Sharing of agricultural loans

As District Magistrate:

1.Maintenance of law and order

2.Supervision of the police and jails

3.Supervision of subordinate executive magistracy

4.Hearing cases under the preventive section of the criminal procedure code

5.Supervision of jails and certification of execution of capital sentences

As Crisis Administrator

1.Disaster management throughout natural calamities such as floods,

2.famines or epidemics

3.Crisis management throughout riots or external aggression

As Development Officer

1.Ex-officio chairman of the District Rural Development Agency, which carries out several

developmental activities

2.Chairman of the District Bankers Coordination Committee

3.Head of the District Industries Centre

He is assisted through the following officers for carrying out day to day work in several fields:–

1.Additional deputy commissioner

2.Assistant commissioner (general)

3.Assistant commissioner (grievances)

4.Executive magistrate

5.District revenue officer

6.District transport officer

7.District development and panchayat officer

8.Civil protection officer

9.Urban ceiling officer

POLICE ADMINISTRATION

•The Indian Police Service, basically recognized as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India

Services civil services of the Government of India.

•In 1948, a year after India gained independence from Britain, the Indian Police Services (IPS), also

recognized as the Indian (Imperial) Police, was replaced through the Indian Police Service