Rajasthan

Rajasthan (राजस्‍थान) is the geographically largest state in northwestern India. It borders 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 an area of 342,239 km² (132,139 sq mi; in India also expressed as 3.42 lakh sq km).

The state capital is Jaipur. Geographical features include the Thar Desert and the termination of the Ghaggar River. Also one of the oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, which cradles the only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu and the world famous Dilwara Temples. In contrast to the vast Thar Desert it has two national tiger reserves, 'Ranthambhore' and 'Sariska' and 'Ghana Bird Sanctuary' at Bharatpur.

History of Rajasthan

Rajasthan was earlier called Rajputana (state of Rajputs) after the ruling class of Rajputs. Rajput which literally means 'son of rulers'. As India has always comprised of many small states with individual rulers, no invader of India was able to win Rajasthan, though many tried and failed and even lost their kingdoms (historians believe that one reason for Aurangzeb, the famous mughal ruler of Delhi, losing Delhi was his getting involved in fighting with Rajputs and Marathas).

Rajasthan is the only state of India which has never been directly ruled by any foreign invader or power, like the Mughals or the British. However, the British made treaties with rulers of different states of Rajasthan and were indirectly the rulers of Rajasthan during the days of the British Raj.

This long freedom and rule by different rulers was preserved its freedom, culture and society, but many argue that it also kept the state illiterate, backward and old fashioned, leaving it less advanced in industrialisation, education, female rights, and equality.

Rajasthan is a state where one can see history as present, in its forts and palaces.

Districts of Rajasthan

Rajasthan has 32 districts:

Ajmer,Alwar,

Banswara,Baran,Barmer,Bhilwara Bikaner,Bharatpur,Bundi,

Chittaurgarh,Churu

Dhaulpur,Dausa,Dungarpur,

Hanumangarh,

Jaipur Jaselmer,Jalor,Jhalawar,Jhujhunu,Jodhpur

Karauli,Kota,

Nagaur,

Pali,

Rajsamand,

Sawai Madhopur,Sikar, Sirohi,Sri Ganganagar,

Tonk,

Udaipur

Famous people

The history of Rajasthan is very long and dramatic filled with lots of heroic stories and instances where people have put their life and families at risk and kept the pride and values like loyalty, freedom, truth, shelter etc intact. This is list of famous people in the history of Rajasthan:

• Baldev Ram Mirdha
• Chaudhari Kumbharam Arya
• Maharana Pratap
• Meera Bai
• Jaimal Rathore
• Veer Durgadas
• Panna Dhai
• Veer Teja
• Shekha Ji
• Maharani Gayatri Devi – Alive and active
• Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh
• Maharaja Sawai ManSingh
• Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh
• Maharaja Suraj Mal
• Swami Keshwanand

Statistics

• Population: 56.47 million (2001 Census, estimated at more than 58 million now)
• Cities and Towns: 222
• Major cities: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Bikaner, Bhilwara, Alwar
• Roads: 61,520 km. ( 2,846 km National Highway)
• National highways crossing Rajasthan: Delhi-Ahmedabad, Agra-Bikaner, Jaipur-Bhopal and Bhatinda-Kandla
• Climate: Generally dry with monsoon during July-August
• Districts: 33
• Languages: English and Hindi commonly used, as well as indigenous Rajasthani languages
• Literacy: 61.03 %

References

• Gahlot, Sukhvirsingh. 1992. RAJASTHAN: Historical & Cultural. J. S. Gahlot Research Institute, Jodhpur.
• Somani, Ram Vallabh. 1993. History of Rajasthan. Jain Pustak Mandir, Jaipur.
• Tod, James & Crooke, William. 1829. Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan or the Central and Western Rajput States of India. 3 Vols. Reprint: Low Price Publications, Delhi. 1990. ISBN 81–85395–68–3 (set of 3 vols.)

Problems facing Rajasthan

The main problem in Rajasthan is its water scarcity. Many people in the desert region thrive for water. Because of the desert which constitutes western Rajasthan, the transport routes are very less. The sex ratio of rajasthan is also a problem. It can at times go as low as 850 females to 1000 males.

External Links

• State Government of Rajasthan – Official home page
• Tourism Department of Rajasthan – Tourism Home Page