Submitted by :

Mohit Sehgal

Xth B
Roll No. 24

RAJASTAHAN
Rjasthn pronounced the land of Rajasthanis, ("the land of kings" or "the land of colours", is
the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It
encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert),
which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with Pakistan. The
state is bordered by Pakistan to the west, Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the
southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast and Punjab to the north. Rajasthan
covers 10.4% of India, an area of 342,269 square kilometres (132,151 sq mi).
Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of the state. Geographical features include the Thar
Desert along north-western Rajasthan and the termination of the Ghaggar River near the
archaeological ruins at Kalibanga of the Indus Valley Civilization, which are the oldest in the
Indian subcontinent discovered so far.
One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the only hill station of
Rajasthan, Mount Abu, famous for Dilwara Temples, a sacred pilgrimage for Jains.
Eastern Rajasthan has the world famous Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, a World
Heritage Site[3] known for its bird life. It also has two national tiger reserves, Ranthambore
and Sariska Tiger Reserve, and a famous temple in Khatu, Sikar district, dedicated to Khatu
Shyam Ji. Rajasthan was formed on 30 March 1949, when the region known until then as
Rajputana, consisting of erstwhile princely states ruled by Meenas, Rajputs, Jats, Gurjars,
and Muslims, merged into the Dominion of India

RAJASTHAN MAP

HISTORY
The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's first and oldest civilizations, was
located in parts of what is now Rajasthan. Kalibangan in Hanumangarh district,
Rajasthan was a major provincial capital of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is
believed that Western Kshatrapas (405-35 BC) were Saka rulers of the western
part of India (Saurashtra and Malwa: modern Gujarat, Southern Sindh,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan). They were successors to the Indo-Scythians, and were
contemporaneous with the Kushans who ruled the northern part of the Indian
subcontinent. The Indo-Scythians invaded the area of Ujjain and establish the
Saka era (with Saka calendar), marking the beginning of the long-lived Saka
Western Satraps state. Matsya, a state of the Vedic civilization of India, is said
to roughly corresponded to former state of Jaipur in Rajasthan, and included the
whole of Alwar with portions of Bharatpur. The capital of Matsya was at
Viratanagar (modern Bairat) which is said to have been named after its founder
king Virata.

The earlier contributions of warriors and protectors of the land Meenas, Ahirs, Gurjars, Jats,
Bhils and were neglected and lost in history due to stories of valour shown by certain specific
clans in later years graining more prominence over older acts of bravery.
Rajasthan means the Land of the Kings. Modern Rajasthan includes most of Rajputana, which
comprises mainly the erstwhile Rajput kingdoms as well as two Jat kingdoms and a Muslim
kingdom. Marwar (Jodhpur), Bikaner, Mewar (Udaipur), Alwar and Dhundhar (Jaipur) were
some of the main Rajput states. The Jats were rulers in Bharatpur and Dholpur. Tonk was ruled
by a Muslim Nawab.
Rajput families rose to prominence in the 6th century CE. The
Rajputs put a very valiant resistance to the Islamic invasions and
protected this land with their warfare and chivalry for more than
500 years. They also resisted Mughal incursions into India, but
contributed to the slower than anticipated access to the Indian
Subcontinent. Later the Mughals, with a technique based on a
combination of treachery and skilled warfare were able to set
firm a grip on northern India, including Rajasthan. The fighter
spirit and valour of Rajputs impressed the Mughals to such an
extent that even after defeating the Rajputs, the Mughals held
their valour and value in the highest esteem. Mewar led other
kingdoms in its resistance to outside rule. Most notably Rana
Sanga fought the Battle of Khanua against Babur, the founder of
the Mughal empire.

Geography
The main geographic features of
Rajasthan are the Thar Desert and the
Aravalli Range, which runs through
the state from southwest to northeast,
almost from one end to the other, for
more than 850 km. Mount Abu is at
the southwestern end of the range,
separated from the main ranges by the
West Banas River, although a series
of broken ridges continues into
Haryana in the direction of Delhi where
it can be seen as outcrops in the form of
the Raisina Hill and the ridges farther
north. About three-fifths of Rajasthan
lies northwest of the Aravallis, leaving
two-fifths on the east and south.

Tourism
Rajasthan attracted 14 percent of total foreign
visitors during 2009-2010 which is the fourth
highest among Indian states. It is fourth also in
Domestic tourist visitors. Endowed with natural
beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing
industry in Rajasthan. The palaces of Jaipur and
Ajmer-Pushkar, the lakes of Udaipur, the desert
forts of Jodhpur, Taragarh Fort (Star Fort) in
Bundi, and Bikaner and Jaisalmer rank among the
most preferred destinations in India for many
tourists both Indian and foreign. Tourism accounts
for eight percent of the state's domestic product.
Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been
converted into heritage hotels. Tourism has
increased employment in the hospitality sector.

Umaid Bhawan
Palace

Lake of Pushkar in
Ajmer

Rajasthan is famous for its majestic forts, intricately

carved temples, and decorated havelis, which were built
by Rajput kings in pre-Muslim era Rajasthan. Rajasthan's
Jaipur Jantar Mantar, Dilwara Temples, Chittorgarh Fort,
Lake Palace, miniature paintings in Bundi, and numerous
city palaces and havelis are an important part of the
architectural heritage of India. Jaipur, the Pink City, is
noted for the ancient houses made of a type of sand
stone dominated by a pink hue. In Bundi, maximum
houses are painted blue. At Ajmer, the white marble Baradari on the Anasagar lake is exquisite. Jain Temples dot
Rajasthan from north to south and east to west. Dilwara
Temples of Mount Abu, Ranakpur Temple dedicated to
Lord Adinath in Pali District, Jain temples in the fort
complexes of Chittor, Jaisalmer and Kumbhalgarh,
Lodurva Jain temples, Bhandasar and Karni Mata Temple
of Bikaner are some of the best examples.

Rajasthan Canal

Jain Temple

RAJASTHANI FOOD
Bikaner is famous for its namkeens,
Jaipur for its jewellery, Jodhpur for
sweets and Jaisalmer for yellow
stone, wall paintings of bundi

THALI

SNACKS

RAJASTHANI DANCE

RAJASTHANI DRESS

PLACE ON WHEEL
Rajasthan is often called a shopper's
paradise. Rajasthan is famous for textiles,
semi-precious stones and handicrafts. The
attractive designs of jewellery and clothes
are eye-catching and invite shoppers.
Rajasthani furniture has intricate carvings
and bright colours. Rajasthani handicrafts
are in demand due to the intricate work on
them. Above all, Rajasthan's shopping
appeals to both tourists and people from
other parts of India due to its cheap prices
for quality goods.