http://www.travel-rajasthan.net/index.htm Travel Rajasthan Rajasthan, the Land of the Kings, is Indias most colour-charged state.

Like a legend come to life, the state is packed with Magical towns and cities: Jodhpur, sky-blur; Jaipur, painted dusky pink; Jaisalmer, a golden sandcastle; Udaipur, shimmering bone-white; and Pushkar, clinging around its holy lake. This diverse state is home to the Rajputs, warrior clans claimed to originate from the sun, moon and fire, who have controlled Rajasthan of India for more than 10000 years. The whimsical, magnificent palaces and forts are products of the Rajputs in Rajasthan. The state is diagonally divided into the hilly southeastern region and the barren north-western Thar Desert, which extends across the border in Pakistan. Rajasthan Famous Forts Amber Fort Amber Fort (11 km from central Jaipur). This massive fort-palace complex built in hybrid Hindu-Muslim style dates back to Raja Man Singh and was the royal palace of the Kachwahas from c. 1600 to 1727. The name has nothing to do with the rather pretty pastel yellow colour; instead, the fort is named after the town of Amber, in turn named after the goddess Amba elephant ride to the top an elephant it is better to to arrive there in the morning, otherwise at midday the elephants are over. But the road that elephans pass is not so long). Rs. 10/50 Indians/foreigners, plus optional Rs.25/100 for still/video camera, Rs.100 for audioguide Hot Attractions The Fort Like many of today's visitors to Amber Fort, I approached it riding an elephant up the steep ramp. From here, my elephant entered through the grand Singh Pol gateway and continuing to Jaleb Chowk, the courtyard where I disembarked the pachyderm with other members of AsiaExplorers. Origins Amber was originally built by the Meenas in the town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother Goddess, whom they knew as `Gatta Rani' or `Queen of the Pass' [ Tod.II.282 ]. Built over the remnants of an earlier structure, the palace complex which stands today was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh, Commander in Chief of Akbar's army and a member of the Emperor's inner circle of nine courtiers Structure The structure which is known today as "Amber Fort" was initially a palace complex within the original fort of Amber that is today known as Jaigarh Fort. Connected to Amber via fortified passages, Jaigarh Fort is located on a hill above the Amber complex, and is constructed of red sandstone and white marble. It overlooks Maotha Lake, and was reputed to be the treasure vault of the Kacchwaha rulers.

Tourism and tourist attractions Tourists can ride up to the fort from the base of the hill on elephants. On the ride, one can see the skyline of Jaipur, Maotha lake, and the original city walls. The fort can be toured with a guide or on one's own. One of the most striking parts of the fort is the Hall of Mirrors. Tour guides tell visitors that when the palace was occupied by royalty, the hall could be lit at night by a single candle because of all the tiny, intricate mirrors.

Jaigarh Fort At a distance of 15kms from Jaipur, stands the imposing Jaigarh Fort. Also called the Victory Fort, the Jaigarh Fort stands in the midst of thorn-scrub hills that impart a sterner look to the already forbidding Fort. As one approaches the fort from the steep road that leads to the main gate, the Dungar Darwaza, one cannot help but remark at the amazing view it offers of the city below. Hot Attractions The Fort Jaigarh Fort was a center of artillery production for the Rajputs and it is home to the world's largest cannon on wheels, the Jaivana. The foundries provide fascinating information for the visitors. The manner in which they drew in blasts of air from the desert is most intriguing. A 5km long canal can be seen entering the fort complex to bring in water from the high hills and store in the fort for the armymen. A huge water tank is centrally located connecting the canal.. LocationOfFort Jaigarh Fort is located on the top of the hill, by the name of Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles). Jaigarh Fort is also known as the 'Victory Fort', located at a comfortable distance of 15kms from Jaipur. Jaigarh Fort is considered as one of the spectacular forts in India. This Fort is on top of the hill, while Amber Fort is at the bottom. Many people regard the two as one complex however both of them are well connected with well guarded passages. Jaigarh Fort positioned centrally in the thorn-scrub hill, leaves a stern impact on the spectator at once.

About Jaigarh Fort Built by Sawai Jai Singh in the year 1726 to bolster the defence of the area, Jaigarh is the best example of a full-fledged citadel. A simple looking fort, no palaces or other delicate structures have been built inside the fort. The architecture makes clear Sawai Jai Singh's intentions of using the fort purely as a military structure. Also known as the Victory Fort, Jaigarh is located some 15 kms away from the city centre on a cliff. The fort is surrounded by huge battlements. The inside walkways have been built in such a way that a clear view of all the sides are easily available. There is a steep road leading to Dungar Darwaza-the main entrance of Jaigarh fort. The view that one gets of Jaipur city from the fort is simply amazing. Nahargarh Fort In 1734, seven years after his new capital was built Jai Singh II began to build this small fort. Two and a half-centuries later it still stands tall on a steep rocky face with massive walls and bastions for company. The fort provides an excellent view of the Pink City spread out at its foot. Jai Singh II named it Sudarshangarh (sudarshan chakra: Lord Vishnu's discus; garh: fort). Hot Attractions The Monsoon Palace The Nahargarh fort reigns the wide skyline during the day and frames a mesmerizing site when floodlit at night. Maharajah Sawai Madho Singh, always wanted to have a pleasure retreat, beside his popular duck shooting arena at Jal Mahal. So in 1880, he bade the eminent Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya to design a magnificent monsoon haven for his nine maharanis, and today it stands- with its past legends and present glory- as a splendid example of love in the hearts of people. As the main attraction of the fort, the Madhavendra Bhawan, has a cluster of 12 identical double story suits for queens and at the acme is a regal suit for the king himself. Location Of Fort The famous Nahargarh Fort in Rajasthan is located on the sheer rugged parapet of Aravali Hills forming an impressive northern decor of Jaipur. The Nahargarh Fort, also known as the Tiger Fort was strategically exigent and was built as a means of cushioning Amer. The older parts of the fort succumbed to the blitzkrieg of time but the newer additions are simply mind blowing. About Nahargarh Fort The species of the area, some of which dissipated over the years, have been reintroduced, so that today the park has Tiger, Leopard, Asiatic Lion (otherwise confined only to the Gir Forest sanctuary in Gujarat), Sloth Bear, Caracal, several species of Deer, Gharial, Crocodile and Otter in its wetlands, Pangolin Jackal, Wild Dog, Wolf, Hyena, Jungle Civet and Fishing Cats, Ratel, Common and Desert Fox, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkey and Langur, and, of course, a host of avian species.

Chittaurgarh Fort Chittaurgarh Fort, located in the state of Rajasthan was initially built between the 5th and the 8th century by the Mori Rajput ruler,Chitrangad. At that point of time it was named Chitrakot. Later, Sisodia Rajput ruler, Ajai Pal Chauhan made some modifications in it. Hot Attractions About Chittaurgarh Fort The history of Chittaurgarh Fort is laced with the heroic deeds of the valorous Rajput nobles and sacrifices of the beautiful queens. The fort has witnessed atleast three bloody battles since the time it was built. The first battle was waged by the Sultan of Delhi, Ala-ud-din Khilji in the 14th century after he had a glimpse of the beautiful wife of Ratan Singh in a water tank. He was so besotted by the beauty of Rani Padmini that he attacked Chittaurgarh in order to posses her. The Rajputs fought the evil intention of the powerful ruler with all their might and laid down thousands of lives so as to protect the dignity of the queen as well as the kingdom.

Inside the Fort Built on a 180 metre high hill, the Chittaurgarh fort occupies 280 hectares and soars up to a height of 150 m. The peripheral length of the gate is 13 km and it is accessed by many gates. The prominent ones are Padam Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol and Ram Pol. Sammidheshwara Temple The Sammidheshwara Temple is near this tower. Gaumukh reservoir and the palace of Queen Padmini are important spots to the south of the Rana Kumbha Palace. According to legend, Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, was allowed to see the reflection of Queen Padmini in this palace. A big water reservoir with water gushing out of a rock shaped in the form of cow's mouth called ' Gaumukh' is close to the opening of the cave where Rani Padmini and the other women are believed to have performed jauhar. Other spots worth visiting are the Bhimtal Tank, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Meera Temple, Kumbha Shyam Temple, and Kalika Mata Temple dating back to the 8th century. Jaisalmer Fort Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest of desert forts of the world. It is situated in Jaisalmer city in Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from where it derives it name. The fort stands proudly admist the golden stretches of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion color during the day, turning to a magical honey-gold as the sun sets and camouflages the fort making it appear a part of the picturesque yellow desert. Thus, it is also known as the "Golden Fort". Hot Attractions Construction of the Fort An apt description of the Jaisalmer fort, one of the finest in the country but one which looks rather incongruous given the desolation around it. Located bang in the middle of the Thar desert (literal meaning abode of the dead), it rises like a mirage from the sands, with its huge turrets pointing skywards. Built in 1156, Jaisalmer is the second oldest of Rajasthan's major forts after Chittorgarh. Constructed by Raja Jaisal, who was searching for a new capital as the earlier one Lodurva was too vulnerable to invasions, he built the fort and the city surrounding it, thus fulfilling Lord Krishna's prophecy in the Mahabharata Located on a Hilltop Mounted atop Trikuta, the almost triangular triple-peaked hill, the fort rises like a sunbeam from the desert, 250 feet tall, and is reinforced by an imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high. It has as many as 99 bastions, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647 to be used as gun platforms. The view of the 99 bastions of the yellow sandstone fort, the desert citadel of Raja Jaisal, is spectacular to behold. The fortifications have grown exponentially over the centuries, and wells within the confines still provide a regular source of water to the fort. A Marvel Built in Sandstone Just as the Taj in Agra is worth visiting on a full moon night, Jaisalmer fort by nightfall is a sight to behold, it has all the romance and suspense of a Hitchcockian mystery. You half expect an invading army to march up to the castle, over its enormous paved flagstones, while those defending the fort shoot missiles at them from the ramparts. Suffice to say the Jaisalmer fort is one of the marvels of Rajasthani architecture, particularly of the stone-carver's art. Junagarh Fort Junagarh Fort is an impressive fort in the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan. The 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. [1] It is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan not built on a hilltop. It was built under the supervison of Karan Chand[2] the prime minister of Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled from 1571 to 1611 AD. Construction of the walls and associated moat commenced in 1588 and were completed in 1593. Hot Attractions Architecture A high wall and deep moats surround the fort. The 37 bastions guard the fort and only two gates provide the access inside the fort. The Suraj Pol or the Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort. The Junagarh Fort has defied all the attacks except for the brief stint by Kamaran, who captured the fort but was unable to retain his victory more than 24 hours. About Fort Indian Holiday offers complete online information about Junagarh Fort and Fort of Junagarh. This splendid fort is unconquered till now. Year 1593 AD marked the foundation of Junagarh Fort by Raja Rai Singh. Junagarh Fort features some beautiful palaces, such as Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal etc. It also features a beautiful temple, Har Mandir. Royal family used to worship gods and goddesses in this temple. Inside The Fort Inside the fort is a profusion of 37 palaces, temples and pavilions that are marvels in red sandstone construction. The palaces have exquisitely carved windows, balconies, towers and kiosks.The mirrors, paintings and carved marble panels in the Moon Palace are a treat for eyes. The Phool Mahal or Flower Palace was adorned with glasses and mirrors. The victory over Aurangzeb was celebrated by building the Karan Mahal. Travel-Rajasthan.net is a complete travel guide for rajasthan or city guide for travellers. Providing a true rajasthan tourism information about each city of Rajasthan eg. Ajmer city guide, Jaipur city guide, Pushkar, Bundi, Shekhawati, Bikaner, Mount Abu, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and other Rajasthan Cities. Your City Guide provides complete information on all the major cities of Rajasthan. The information includes history, culture, festivals, climatic conditions, travel information, tour operators, eating out places, places you can visit and local transportation guide. Rajasthan City guide

Hot Attractions

Jaipur Travel Guide Rajasthan's beautiful Pink City Jaipur, was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipur's bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares. Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient circuit, in the heart of the Thar desert which has shaped its history, lifestyles and architecture

Jodhpur Travel Guide Jodhpur, once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar, is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. Flanked on its western side by the Mehrangarh Fort, and on the eastern side by the stately sandstone Palace of Umaid Bhawan; the monuments temples and gardens of Jodhpur depict a multi-faceted grandeur 250 km from Jaipur, also called "Blue City" is second city of Rajasthan. Founded by Rao Jodha is famous for Mehrangarh Fort, Umed Bhawan Palace, museum and handicrafts. Udaipur Travel Guide Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. The foundation of the city has an interesting legend associated with it. According to it, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder, was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditations on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favorable located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude and an amphitheater of low mountains. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit and founded the city in 1559 A.D. Jaisalmer Travel Guide Once a sleepy desert city, Jaisalmer has transformed itself into a major tourist destination of India. Situated amid picturesque Thar Desert, the Jaisalmer city commands premiere position among the tourist attractions scattered all over the desert land of Rajasthan. The Jaisalmer city is revered both by Indians as well as foreign tourists. Bikaner Travel Guide Bikaner can be reached by train from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Agra, Punjab and other major Indian towns. It can also be reached by road from Delhi Via Shekawati or Jaipur. The Highways are very good however the country roads in the shekawati region can be a bit of a dampner. The road from Jaipur Jaisalmer and Jodhpur are the best roads. The nearest Airport is Jodhpur (around 4.5 hours journey) and is well connected by road and rail. However, travelling via Jaipur (6.5 hours distance) gives you more option in terms of flight frequency and choice of Airlines. Overall it comes out to be cheaper (due to availablility of low-cost airlines) if you travel via Jaipur. Ajmer Travel Guide Ajmer is a main destination for muslim pligrims. It houses the Dargah of Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. The city lives up to the religious and cultural traditions. Various architectures of the mughal era add to the flavor of the place. Sights in town include the tomb of the above mentioned Sufi Saint, the Ana Sagar Lake, the Daulat Bagh, government museum, and the Nasiyan (Red) Jain Temple.

About Rajasthan Rajasthan, the Land of the Kings, is Indias most colour-charged state. Like a legend come to life, the state is packed with Magical towns and cities: Jodhpur, sky-blur; Jaipur, painted dusky pink; Jaisalmer, a golden sandcastle; Udaipur, shimmering bone-white; and Pushkar, clinging around its holy lake. This diverse state is home to the Rajputs, warrior clans claimed to originate from the sun, moon and fire, who have controlled Rajasthan of India for more than 10000 years. The whimsical, magnificent palaces and forts are products of the Rajputs in Rajasthan. The state is diagonally divided into the hilly southeastern region and the barren north-western Thar Desert, which extends across the border in Pakistan.

Your City Guide provides complete information on all the major cities of Rajasthan. The information includes history, culture, festivals, climatic conditions, travel information, tour operators, eating out places, places you can visit and local transportation guide. Hot Attractions Rajasthan Culture Hindi is the official language of the state. But the principal language is "Rajasthani", and the four major dialects are Marwari in the west, Jaipuri in the east, Malwi in the southeast and Mewati in the northeast. But Hindi language is replacing Rajasthani. Moreover, you will find English speaking people in all the major cities, and in remote villages also you will find someone who can speak and understand English. But other languages are completely unknown. You may ask Tour Operators to help you on this and they do have guides who knows almost all the languages. Rajasthan Travel Rajasthan Travel Guide is an online community of tour operators, travel agents, transporters, hotels and travel related companies from Rajasthan. The magic of Rajasthan is unparallel in the world for its heritage, culture, safaris and sand dunes. Rajasthan is the land of Kings. It depicts the story of the great warriors and their chivalry, their romance, glory and tragedy. With invincible forts, magnificent palaces and serene lakes Rajasthan is truly called a land of valiance . Rajasthan Food The royal kitchens of Rajasthan are quite famous for their mouthwatering spicy food. Interestingly, hundreds of cooks worked in the stately palaces and kept their recipes a closely guarded secret. Some recipes were passed on to their sons and the rest were lost for ever. Within a period of time, it became a matter of great prestige to serve unusual dishes to guests and the royal cooks were encouraged to experiment. The food was served in gold and silver utensils and the number of dishes at one meal ran into hundreds. It was usually never possible to taste all the delicacies sewed. Rajasthan Government The integration of 19 princely states and 3 chiefships led to the formation of the state of Rajasthan in India. At present, the second largest state of the country is divided into 32 districts. Jaipur is the administrative capital of the state. December 30th, 2008 - 10:09 pm ICT by IANS New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS) Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, a regal train chugging across the land of maharajas in western India, will start its maiden journey Jan 11 when it will be Rajasthan Geography

Rajasthan, situated at the northwestern part of India is the biggest state in the country of India and lies between 2330 an d 30 11 North latitude and 69 29 and 78 17 East longitude. The state shares its north-western and western boundary with the Indo-Pakistan international border that extends about 1,070 km and touches the major districts Barmer, Bikaner, Ganganagar and Jaisalmer. Rajasthan is bordered by Pakistan in the west and northwest, the states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in the north and northeast. The state of Madhya Pradesh lies in the southeast and Gujrat in the southwest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan#Tourism Rajasthan
Rjasthn (Rajasthani: , pronounced [rads t an ( listen (the land of colours[ the land of Rajasthanis, is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. 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. It is one of the most beautiful states of India which attracts very large number of domestic and foreign tourists in India. 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 an area of 132,150 sq mi or 342,239 km. The proportion of the state's total area to the total area of the country is 10.41 per cent.

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, which are the oldest in the 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, once famous for its bird life and is a World Heritage Site and two famous national tiger reserves, Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve. Rajasthan was formed on 30 March 1949, when all erstwhile princely states ruled by Rajputs, known as Rajputana, merged into the Dominion of India.

It was essentially the country of the Gurjars.[2] Historian R. C. Majumdar explained that the region was long known as Gurjaratra (Country protected by the Gurjars or Gurjar nation), early form of Gujarat, before it came to be called Rajputana, early in the Muslim period.[3] The historian John Keay in his book, India: A History stated that, Rajputana name was given by Britishers and The word even achieved a retrospective authenticity, in 1829 translation of Ferishta's history of early Islamic India, John Briggs discarded the phrase Indian princes, as rendered in Dow's earlier version, and substituted Rajpoot princes.[4]

The only difference between erstwhile Rajputana and Rajasthan is that certain portions of what had been British India, in the former province of Ajmer-Merwara, were included. Portions lying geographically outside of Rajputana such as the Sumel-Tappa area were included in Madhya Pradesh.
Main article: History of Rajasthan Gurjar Pratihars domination around ninth century. Maharana Pratap Singh, legendary sixteenth century Rajput ruler of Rajasthan.The iconic Mehrangarh Fort built by Rao Jodha in 1459.The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in Asia.Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds" in Jaipur.

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.[5] It is believed that Western Kshatrapas (35405 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 kingdom.[6] Traditionally the,Meenas , Rajputs, Yadavs, Jats,Bhils, Gurjars, , Bishnois and other tribes made a great contribution in building the state of Rajasthan. All these tribes suffered great difficulties in protecting their culture and the land. Millions[7] of them were martyred trying to protect their land. Gurjars had been exterminated in Bhinmal and Ajmer areas fighting with the invaders. Bhils once ruled Kota.[7] Meenas were rulers of Bundi and Dhundhar region.[citation needed] Gurjars ruled many dynasties in this part of country.In fact this region was long known as Gurjaratra.[3] Up to the tenth century almost the whole of North India, excepting Bengal, owned supermacy of Gurjars with their seat of power at Kannauj.[8] Gurjar Pratihars acted as barrier for Arab invaders from 6th to 11th century.The chief credit of Gurjar Pratihar empire lies in its succecessful resistance to the foreign invasions from the west, from the days of Junaid. Majumdar says that this was frankly recognised by the Arab writers themselves.He further clears that Historians of India have wondered at the slow progress of Muslim invaders in India, as compared with their rapid advance in other parts of the world.Now there can be little doubt that it was the power of the Gurjara Pratihara army that effectively barred the progress of the Muslims beyond the confines of Sindh, their first conquest for nearly three hundred years.[9] The earlier contributions of warriors and protectors of the land (Vishnoi,Ahirs, Gurjars, Jats, Bhils and Meenas) 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.[10] 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.

Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, the Hindu Emperor, also known as Hemu in the History of India was born in the village of Machheri in Alwar District in the year 1501. He had won 22 battles against Afghans, from Punjab to Bengal and had defeated Akbar's forces twice at Agra and Delhi in 1556,[11] before acceeding to the throne of Delhi and establishing 'Hindu Raj' in North India, albeit for a short duration, from Purana Quila in Delhi. He was killed in the Second Battle of Panipat. Maharana Pratap of Mewar resisted Akbar in the famous Battle of Haldighati and later operated from hilly areas of his kingdom. Bhils were Maharana's main allies during these wars. Most of these attacks were evenly met as the Mughal forces outnumbered Mewar Rajputs in all the wars fought between them. The Haldighati war was fought between 10,000 Mewaris and a 100,000 strong Mughal force (including many Rajputs like Kachwahas from Dhundhar). Over the years the Mughals began to have internal disputes which took their concentration away at times. They also had to fight off Pathan warriors from neighbouring Afghanistan and the newer enemy, the British Empire which consisted of large numbers of natives whilst engaging against various other regional powers such as the Persians. The Mughal Empire eventually weakened to which several groups across their kingdom (including Sikhs) saw opportunities to establish their power whilst the army was fighting somewhere else. The Rajputs saw this as an opportunity to reassert their independence. With the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, Rajputana came under attack by the Marathas and Pindaris, and the Maratha general Scindia captured Ajmer. The Rajput kings following a rapid defeat, concluded treaties with the British in the early 19th century, accepting British sovereignty in return for local autonomy. Following the Mughal tradition as well as its strategic location Ajmer became a province of British India, while the autonomous Rajput states, the Muslim state Tonk, and the Jat states (Bharatpur and Dholpur) were organized into the Rajputana Agency. The Marwaris (people from Marwar) and Rajasthan's formerly independent kingdom created a rich architectural and cultural heritage, seen even today in their numerous forts and palaces (Mahals and Havelis) which are enriched by features of Muslim and Jain architecture. The development of the frescos in Rajasthan is linked with the history of the Marwaris, who have also played a crucial role in the economic development of the region. Many wealthy families throughout Indian history have links to Marwar. These families include the legendary Birla, Bhandari, Bajaj, Mittal and Mirza families. Rajasthan is known for its famous stories within its very rich cultural history, one of which is the popular love story of a Rajput Princess, Juhi Saini and her beloved husband Chetan Sharma, who was a warrior ranked very high in the Rajput army and was known for his acts of bravery. He saved Princess Juhi from any harm and problems she encountered during her lifetime and their passionate heart-filled love story became a tale that is still told today to the youths of Rajasthan. Princess Juhi and Warrior Chetan grew old together and were buried in the same spot together in the gardens of Hawa Mahal, Jaipur.

Geography
The Aravalli Range adds diversity to the landscape of Rajasthan.The Thar DesertThe hills around Jaipur.

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. The northwestern portion of Rajasthan is generally sandy and dry. Most of the region is covered by the Thar Desert, which extends into adjoining portions of Pakistan. The Aravalli Range does not intercept the moisturegiving southwest monsoon winds off the Arabian Sea, as it lies in a direction parallel to that of the coming monsoon winds, leaving the northwestern region in a rain shadow. The Thar Desert is thinly populated; the town of Bikaner is the largest city in the desert. The Northwestern thorn scrub forests lie in a band around the

Thar Desert, between the desert and the Aravallis. This region receives less than 400 mm of rain in an average year. Temperatures can exceed 45 C in the summer months and drop below freezing in the winter. The Godwar, Marwar, and Shekhawati regions lie in the thorn scrub forest zone, along with the city of Jodhpur. The Luni River and its tributaries are the major river system of Godwar and Marwar regions, draining the western slopes of the Aravallis and emptying southwest into the great Rann of Kutch wetland in neighboring Gujarat. This river is saline in the lower reaches and remains potable only up to Balotara in Barmer district. The Ghaggar River, which originates in Haryana, is an intermittent stream that disappears into the sands of the Thar Desert in the northern corner of the state and is seen as a remnant of the primitive Saraswati river. The Aravalli Range and the lands to the east and southeast of the range are generally more fertile and better watered. This region is home to the Kathiarbar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion, with tropical dry broadleaf forests that include teak, Acacia, and other trees. The hilly Vagad region lies in southernmost Rajasthan, on the border with Gujarat. With the exception of Mount Abu, Vagad is the wettest region in Rajasthan, and the most heavily forested. North of Vagad lies the Mewar region, home to the cities of Udaipur and Chittaurgarh. The Hadoti region lies to the southeast, on the border with Madhya Pradesh. North of Hadoti and Mewar is the Dhundhar region, home to the state capital of Jaipur. Mewat, the easternmost region of Rajasthan, borders Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan is drained by the Banas and Chambal rivers, tributaries of the Ganges. The Aravali Range runs across the state from the southwest peak Guru Shikhar (Mount Abu), which is 1,722 m in height, to Khetri in the northeast. This divides the state into 60% in the northwest of the range and 40% in the southeast. The northwest tract is sandy and unproductive with little water but improves gradually from desert land in the far west and northwest to comparatively fertile and habitable land towards the east. The area includes the Thar Desert. The south-eastern area, higher in elevation (100 to 350 m above sea level) and more fertile, has a very diversified topography. in the south lies the hilly tract of Mewar. In the southeast, a large area within the districts of Kota and Bundi forms a tableland. To the northeast of these districts is a rugged region (badlands) following the line of the Chambal River. Farther north the country levels out; the flat plains of the northeastern Bharatpur district are part of an alluvial basin.

Economy
Main article: Economy of Rajasthan Industrial plant near Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Rajasthan's economy is primarily agricultural and pastoral. Wheat and barley are cultivated over large areas, as are pulses, sugarcane, and oilseeds. Cotton and tobacco are the state's cash crops. Rajasthan is among the largest producers of edible oils in India and the second largest producer of oilseeds. Rajasthan is also the biggest wool-producing state in India and the main opium producer and consumer. There are mainly two crop seasons. The water for irrigation comes from wells and tanks. The Indira Gandhi Canal irrigates northwestern Rajasthan.

The main industries are mineral based, agriculture based, and textiles. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of polyester fibre in India. The Bhilwara District produces more cloth than Bhiwandi, Maharashtra and the bhilwara is the largest city in suitings production and export. Several prominent chemical and engineering companies are located in the town of Kota, in southern Rajasthan. Rajasthan is pre-eminent in quarrying and mining in India. The Taj Mahal was built from the white marble which was mined from a town called Makrana. The state is the second largest source of cement in India. It has rich salt deposits at Sambhar, copper mines at Khetri, Jhunjhunu and zinc mines at Dariba, Zawar mines at Zawarmala for zinc, Rampura Aghucha (opencast) near Bhilwara. Dimensional stone mining is also undertaken in Rajasthan. Jodhpur sandstone is mostly used in monuments, important buildings, residential buildings, etc. This stone is termed "chittar patthar".

Rajasthan is now the preferred destination for IT companies and North India's largest integrated IT park is located in Jaipur and is named as Mahindra World City Jaipur covering nearly 3,000 acres (12 km2) of land. Some of the companies operating in Rajasthan include Infosys, Genpact, Wipro, Truworth, Deutsche Bank, NEI, MICO, Honda Siel Cars, Coca Cola and Procter & Gamble.

Tourism
Main article: Tourism in Rajasthan

The Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the largest royal palaces in the world.

The Jain temple of Ranakpur.

Rajasthan attracted 14% of total foreign visitors during 2009-2010 which is fourth highest in all states of India. It positioned fourth place also in Domestic tourist visitors.[12] Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan. The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner & Jaisalmer 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. Rajasthan is famous for the majestic forts, intricately carved temples and decorated havelis, which were built by Rajput kings in previous ages, they were the soul of pre-Muslim era Rajasthan. Jantar Mantar, Dilwara Temples, Chittorgarh Fort, Lake Palace, City Palaces, Jaisalmer Havelis are part of the true 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. At Ajmer, the white marble Bara-dari on the Anasagar lake is exquisite. Jain Temples dot Rajasthan from north to south and east to west. Dilwara Temples of Mount Abu, Ranakpur Temple dedicated to Lord Adinath near Udaipur, Jain temples in the fort complexes of Chittor, Jaisalmer and Kumbhalgarh, Lodarva Jain temples, Bhandasar Temple of Bikaner are some of the best examples. Rajasthan is often called a shopper's paradise. Rajasthan is famous for textiles, semi-precious stones and handicrafts. The attractive designs of jewellery and clothes are eye-catching and invite shoppers. Rajasthani furniture has intricate carvings and bright colours. Rajasthani handicrafts are in demand due to the intricate work on them. Above all, Rajasthan's shopping appeals to both tourists and people from other parts of India due to its cheap prices for quality goods. Bikaner is famous for its namkeens, Jaipur for its jewellery, Jodhpur for sweets and Jaisalmer for yellow stone.

Culture
Camel ride in the Thar desert near Jaisalmer.A decorated Indian elephant during a fair in Jaipur, India

Rajasthan is culturally rich and has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life. There is rich and varied folk culture from villages which is often depicted and is symbolic of the state. Highly cultivated classical music and dance with its own distinct style is part of the cultural tradition of Rajasthan. The music is uncomplicated and songs depict day-to-day relationships and chores, more often focused around fetching water from wells or ponds.

The Ghoomar dance from Udaipur and Kalbeliya dance of Jaisalmer have gained international recognition. Folk music is a vital part of Rajasthani culture. Kathputali, Bhopa, Chang, Teratali, Ghindar, Kachchhighori, Tejaji etc. are the examples of the traditional Rajasthani culture. Folk songs are commonly ballads which relate heroic deeds and love stories; and religious or devotional songs known as bhajans and banis (often accompanied by musical instruments like dholak, sitar, sarangi etc.) are also sung. Rajasthan is known for its traditional, colorful art. The block prints, tie and dye prints, Bagaru prints, Sanganer prints, and Zari embroidery are major export products from Rajasthan. Handicraft items like wooden furniture and handicrafts, carpets, and blue pottery are some of the things commonly found here. Rajasthan is a shoppers' paradise, with beautiful goods found at low prices. Reflecting the colorful Rajasthani culture, Rajasthani clothes have a lot of mirror-work and embroidery. A Rajasthani traditional dress for females comprises an ankle length skirt and a short top, also known as a lehenga or a chaniya choli. A piece of cloth is used to cover the head, both for protection from heat and maintenance of modesty. Rajasthani dresses are usually designed in bright colours like blue, yellow and orange. The main religious festivals are Deepawali, Holi, Gangaur, Teej, Gogaji, Shri Devnarayan Jayanti, Makar Sankranti and Janmashtami, as the main religion is Hinduism. Rajasthan's desert festival is celebrated with great zest and zeal. This festival is held once a year during winter. Dressed in brilliantly hued costumes, the people of the desert dance and sing haunting ballads of valor, romance and tragedy. There are fairs with snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats and folk performers. Camels, of course, play a stellar role in this festival.
ain article: Districts of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is divided into 33 districts and seven divisions:

Ajmer Division: Ajmer, Bhilwara, Nagaur, Tonk. Bharatpur Division: Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur. Bikaner Division: Bikaner, Churu, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh. Jaipur Division: Jaipur, Alwar, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Dausa. Jodhpur Division: Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Pali, Sirohi. Kota Division: Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar, Kota. Udaipur Division: Banswara, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Rajsamand

Demographics

Locals performing traditional folk dance in Jaisalmer.

Rajasthan has a mainly Rajasthani population. Hindus account for 88.8% of the population.[14] Muslims make up 8.5%, Sikhs 1.4% and Jains 1.2% of the population.[14] The state of Rajasthan is also populated by Sindhis, who came to Rajasthan from Sindh province (now in Pakistan) during the India-Pakistan separation in 1947. The mother tongue of the majority of people in Rajasthan is Rajasthani. Rajasthani and Hindi are the most widely used languages in Rajasthan. Rajasthani is used as a medium of instruction, along with Hindi and English, in some schools. Some other languages used in Rajasthan are Gujarati, Sindhi and Punjabi.
See also: List of people from Rajasthan Flora and fauna Chinkara Great Indian Bustard

Though a large percentage of the total area is desert, and even though there is little forest cover, Rajasthan has a rich and varied flora and fauna. The natural vegetation is classed as Northern Desert Thorn Forest (Champion 1936). These occur in small clumps scattered in a more or less open forms. Density and size of patches increase from west to east following the increase in rainfall. Some wildlife species, which are fast vanishing in other parts of India, are found in the desert in large numbers such as the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), the Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), the Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) and the Indian Wild Ass. The Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, spread over an area of 3162 km, is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert, and its diverse fauna. Great Indian Bustard, Blackbuck, chinkara, desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf, desert cat etc. can be easily seen here. Seashells and massive fossilized tree trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. One can see many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures. Short-toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus), Tawny Eagles (Aquila rapax), Spotted Eagles (Aquila clanga), Laggar Falcons (Falco jugger) and kestrels are the commonest of these. The Ranthambore National Park located in Sawai Madhopur, is one of the finest Tiger Reserves in the Country which became a part of Project Tiger in 1973. The Sariska Tiger Reserve located in Alwar district, 200 km from Delhi and 107 km from Jaipur covers an area of approximately 800 km2.The area was declared a National Park in 1979. Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is a very small sanctuary in Sujangarh , Churu District, 210 km from Jaipur, in the Shekhawati region. This sanctuary is home to a large population of graceful Blackbuck. Desert Fox and desert cat can also be spotted along with typical avifauna such as partridge and sand grouse.

Wildlife
Rajasthan is also noted for National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. There are four national park and wildlife sanctuaries named the Keoladeo National Park of Bharatpur, Sariska Tiger Reserve of Alwar, Ranthambore National Park of Sawai Madhopur, and Desert National Park of Jaisalmer. Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary both are known worldwide for their tiger population and considered by both wild lovers and photographers as the best places in India to spot tigers.some time before due to poaching and negligence tiger became extinct here, but recently 5 tigers have been shifted here to make them inhabit here. Besides, it houses several small wildlife sanctuaries and eco-tourism parks . Prominent among them are Mount Abu Sanctuary, Bhensrod Garh Sanctuary, Darrah Sanctuary, Jaisamand Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Jawahar Sagar sanctuary and Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary. There are a variety of wildlife species in Rajasthan, notably including the apex predator Caracal, Caracal caracal.[15]

Transport
Rajasthan is connected by many national highways. Most renowned being NH 8, which is India's first 48 lane highway. Rajasthan also has an inter-city surface transport system both in terms of railways and bus network. All chief cities are connected by air, rail and road. By Air: There are three main airports at Rajasthan- Jaipur airport, Udaipur airport and Jodhpur airport. These airports connect Rajasthan with the major cities of India such as Delhi and Mumbai. By Rail: Rajasthan is connected with the main cities of India by rail. Jaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur and Jodhpur are the principal railway stations in Rajasthan. Kota City is the only Electrified Section served by three Rajdhani Expresses and trains to all cities of India. By Road: Rajasthan is well connected to the main cities of the country like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Indore by State and National Highways and served by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) & Private operators with various types of buses like Volvo,AC,Delux,Semi Delux normal etc.

Important cities and towns 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, Beawar, Bikaner Bharatpur, Alwar, Dholpur, Churu, Bhilwara, Sri Ganganagar, Pali, Makrana, Bundi, chittorgarh, Didwana, Sujangarh, Nagaur, Sikar, Hanumangarh, Pratapgarh Roads: 1,51,914 km. (8,798 km National Highway) National highways crossing Rajasthan: Delhi-Ahmedabad, Agra-Bikaner, Jaipur-Bhopal, Bhatinda-Kandla and PaliAmbala. Climate: Generally dry with monsoon during JulyAugust Districts: 33 Languages: English and Hindi commonly used, as well as indigenous Rajasthani languages, brij bhasha also. Literacy: 61.03%