History of Rajasthan

In India, Rajasthan has its history dating back thousands of years. It was the plot of the Indus Valley Civilization. The early Medieval period witnessed the rise of the Mughal empire.

The Rajput rulers who allied with the Mughals were granted high positions, whereas, the others who did not accept their dominion were constantly at war with them. In the 18th century, when the Maratha empire vanquished most of the continent, the Mughal rule finally came to an end.

After this, the British rule arrived in India. The British let the allies of local rulers to rule their princely states. This phase was marked by famines and economic exploitation. Nonetheless, the British period saw the development of railways, telegraph and modern industries in the region. After Independence in 1947, the several princely states of Rajasthan were consolidated into India.

Rajasthan, also known as the ‘Land Of Kings’, is one of the most delightful and alluring places to visit in the entire world. Its lavish history, along with sensational palaces, rampant forts, and timeless tales, is one of the most captivating tourist destination in India.

Ancient History

The ancient history of Rajasthan goes back to 5,000 years ago when in the current day cities of Jhunjhunu and Sikar reside. Vedic seers began framing Vedic scriptures, which form part of Sanatan dharma, the foundation of present-day.

Hinduism. Fragments of Rajasthan may have been occupied by the Indus Valleys Civilizations (Harappans). Rajasthan’s current geographic position has been caused by the various annexations and other expansionist efforts of several empires. It was also a part of the Mauryan Empire around 321-184 BCE.

Medieval Period

The Gurjar Pratihar Empire acted as a stumbling block for Rajasthan when the Arabs invaded in the 8th to 11th centuries. The principal achievement of the Gujarat-Pratihar Empire lies in its successful resistance to foreign invaders, starting at the time when Junaid ruled. Historian R.C. Majumdar claims that this was openly admitted to by the Arab writers.

He further says that the historians of India have contemplated about the deliberate growth and progress of Muslim invaders in India, as compared with their rapid advancement in other parts of the world. After the conquest of Chauhan in 1192 CE, a lump of Rajasthan came under Muslim rulers. The fundamental centers of their reign are Nagaur and Ajmer.

Ranthambore was also under their province. The Sultans of Malwa were overthrown by the invincible Rana Kumbha and he turned Mewar into the most powerful Rajput kingdom of India. The pioneering and determined Rana Sangha integrated the various Rajput clans and fought against the foreign conquerors in India.

Early Modern Period

Mughal Conquests:

The Mughal Emperor Akbar proliferated the empire into Rajputana in the 16th century CE. He laid besiegement to Chittor and subjugated the kingdom of Mewar in 1568. He also besieged Ranthambore and subdued the forces of Surjan Hada in that very year. Maharana Pratap was one of the most renowned and esteemed Rajput rulers. King Akbar sent numerous delegacies against him. Nevertheless, he persevered and gained control of all territories of Mewar, except the fort of Chittor. Akbar also contrived matrimonial alliances to gain the trust of Rajput monarchs.

Maratha Empire:

Since the early 1700s, the Maratha Empire began enlarging towards the north, led by Peshwa Baji Rao I of Pune. More or less Rajputana passed over to the Maratha Empire until the British East India Company replaced the Marathas as chief rulers.

British Colonial Period

The British East India company brought together geographically, intellectually, educationally, economically, and historically variegated areas-which had never shared a customary political identification, under the title of Rajputana Agency. Marwar and Jaipur were most remarkably essential in the early 19th century.

James Todd, a company employee often wrote substantially and uncritically about Rajputana, giving particular attention to Mewar. During the years 1817-1818, the British Government culminated treaties of alliance with almost all the states of Rajputana.

Post Independence Period

Rajasthan’s name was presumably popularized by Tod and during his lifespan, some people believed that he had coined it. Although he insisted that it was the classical and symphonic name for the region, the term seems first to be documented in an inscription dating from 1708 and to have become well-known by his time.

It took seven phases to form Rajasthan as elucidated today. The princes finally consented to sign the Contraption of Accession, and the kingdoms of Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur assumed in March 1949.

This time, the Maharaja of Jaipur, Man Singh II, was made the Rajpramukh of Rajasthan and Jaipur became its capital. Later in 1949, the United States of Matsya, involving the former kingdoms of Bharatpur, Alwar, Karauli, and Dholpur, was subsumed into Rajasthan.

Today, with the further restructuring of the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, Rajasthan has become the most gigantic state of the Indian Republic. The princes of the former kingdoms were lawfully accorded handsome remuneration in the form of privy purses and privileges to help them in the discharge of their monetary responsibilities.

The aristocratic and dignified state of Rajasthan that we witness today, has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and its glorious palaces, scurrying cities and its aboriginal suburbs remain the cornerstone of the State.

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