Rajasthan
/) is the largest
state of the
Republic of India in terms of area. 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 mi²).
The state capital is
Jaipur. Geographical features include the
Thar Desert in western Rajasthan and the termination of the
Ghaggar River. One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the
Aravalli Range, cradles the only hill station of Rajasthan,
Mount Abu, and its world famous
Dilwara Temples. Eastern Rajasthan has two national tiger reserves,
Ranthambore and
Sariska, as well as
Keoladeo National Park near
Bharatpur, famous for its bird life.
The main geographic feature of Rajasthan is the Aravalli Range, which runs through the state from southwest to northeast, almost from one end to another end.
Mount Abu is at the southwestern end of the range, although a series of broken ridges continues into
Haryana in the direction of
Delhi. 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, and most of the region is covered by the
Thar Desert, which extends into adjoining portions of Pakistan. The Aravalli Ranges intercept the moisture-giving southwest
monsoon winds off the
Arabian Sea, leaving the northwestern region in a
rain shadow. The Thar Desert is thinly populated, and 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 750 mm of rain in an average year, and summer temperatures can exceed 45º 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. 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.
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.
Topography
The Aravali Range runs across the state from southwest Guru Peak (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 lines 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 Great Indian (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 of the districts of Kota and Bundi forms a tableland and 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 the alluvial basin of the Yamuna River.
|
Rajasthan has a rich and colorful history making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Shown here is an ancient ruin in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. |
Rajasthan was earlier called
Rajputana (state of Rajputs) after the ruling class of
Rajputs.
Rajput literally means 'son of kings'. Rajput clans rose to prominence in the
6th century, establishing kingdoms in Rajasthan and across northern India. The Rajputs resisted
Muslim incursions into India, although a number of Rajput states became tributaries to the
Delhi Sultanate and
Mughal Empire during those empires' peak of expansion. As these empires weakened, the Rajputs reasserted their independence. With the decline of the Mughal Empire in the
18th century, Rajputana become more and more independent.The Rajput kings concluded treaties with the British in the early
19th century, accepting British sovereignty. Ajmer became a province of
British India, while the autonomous Rajput states and a few non-Rajput states (
Tonk,
Bharatpur, and
Dholpur) were organized into the
Rajputana Agency.
Rajasthan's independent kingdoms created a rich architectural and cultural heritage, seen today in its numerous forts, palaces (
Mahals) and
havelis, which are complemented by exceptional examples of
Muslim and
Jain architecture.
Macro-economic trend
This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Rajasthan at market prices
estimated by
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.
| Year ¦¦ Gross State Domestic Product |
|---|
| 1980 | 46,370 |
| 1985 | 87,970 |
| 1990 | 207,100 |
| 1995 | 473,130 |
| 2000 | 789,820 |
Rajasthan's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $33 billion in current prices.
Agriculture
Rajasthan'economy is primarily agricultural and pastoral. Wheat and barley are cultivated in large areas, as are
pulses,
sugarcane, and
oilseeds.
Cotton and
tobacco are 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. There are mainly two crop seasons. The main source of irrigation is wells and tanks. The
Indira Gandhi Canal irrigates northwestern Rajasthan.
Industries
None of the
S&P CNX 500 conglomerates have corporate offices in Rajasthan owing to the creeping infrastructure.
Textiles - Rajasthan is the second largest producer of
polyester fibre in India.
Bhilwara District produces more cloth than
Bhiwandi(see http://www.bhiwandicity.com) in
Maharashtra.
Mining
Rajasthan is pre-eminent in quarrying and mining in India. The state is the second largest of
cement. It has rich salt deposits at
Sambhar and
copper mines at
Khetri and Dariba. This is a chart of output of major minerals of Rajasthan.
Tourism
Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is flourishing in Rajasthan. The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destination of many tourists, 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.
Handicrafts
A spin-off of tourism has been the growth of the handicrafts industry.
Religion
Hindusim is the main religion of Rajasthan. Other significant religious groups in the state are the Jains and the Muslims. There are many local folk heros and local deities such as
Pabuji, Ramdeoji,
Gogaji, Mehaji, Tejaji & Harbhuji.
Music and dance
Every region has its very own dialect of music and dance. The
Ghoomar dance from Udaipur and Kalbeliya dance of Jaisalmer have international recognition. Folk music is a vital part of Rajasthan culture. Songs are used to tell the legendary battles of Rajputs. Folk songs are commonly ballads which relate heroic deeds, love stories, and religious or devotional songs known as bhajans and banis and often accompanied by musical instruments like dholak, sitar, sarangi etc.
Art
Rajasthan is known for its traditional and colorful art. The block prints, tie and die prints, Bagaru prints, Sanganer prints, Zari embroidery are major export products from Rajasthan. Handicraft items like wooden furniture and handicrafts, carpets, blue potteries are some of the things you will find here. Rajasthan is shoppers paradise.
Architecture
Rajasthan is famous for the majestic forts, intricately carved temples and decorated havelis. Jantar Mantar, Dilwara Temples, Chittorgarh Fort, Lake Palace Hotel, City Palaces, Jaisalmer Havelis are true architectural heritage.
Shopping
Rajasthan is often called the shoppers paradise. Rajasthan is famous for textile, semi-precious stones and Handicraft.
Rajasthan assembley has 200 members.Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress are the main political parties in the state.
Vasundhara Raje (
BJP) is the prominent leader and the current Chief Minister of the state.
The main universities in the state are :
*
University of Rajasthan*
Jai Narain Vyas UniversityThe other major educational institutions are :
*
Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur*
Birla Institute of Technology and Science*
Banasthali Vidyapith*
Mayo College*
College of Technology & Engineering, Udaipur*
MBM Engineering College*
National Law University, Jodhpur* IIME : International Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship, Jaipur
Rajasthan has produced many players who have represented India.
Rajasthan has 32 districts:
Ajmer,
Alwar,
Banswara,
Baran,
Barmer,
Bhilwara,
Bikaner,
Bharatpur,
Bundi,
Chittorgarh,
Churu,
Dausa,
Dholpur,
Dungarpur,
Ganganagar,
Hanumangarh,
Jaipur,
Jaisalmer,
Jalore,
Jhalawar,
Jhunjhunu,
Jodhpur,
Karauli,
Kota,
Nagaur,
Pali,
Rajsamand,
Sawai Madhopur,
Sikar,
Sirohi,
Tonk, and
Udaipur.
These districts are grouped into seven divisions:
*
Ajmer Division: Ajmer, Bhilwara, Nagaur, Tonk.
*
Bharatpur Division: Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karuali, Swai Madhopur.
*
Bikaner Division: Bikaner, Churu, Sri 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, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Rajsamand.
Image:Jaipur is called the pink city.jpg|JaipurImage:IMG 2512.JPG|JaisalmerImage:Jodhpur from Mehrangarh Fort.jpg|JodhpurImage:Bikanerskyline.jpg|BikanerImage:Udaipurskyline.jpg|UdaipurImage:Amber Fort.jpg|AmberImage:Bhilwara.jpg|BhilwaraImage:Alwar.JPG|Alwar* 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,
Sri Ganganagar* 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: 32
* Languages: English and Hindi commonly used, as well as indigenous
Rajasthani languages* Literacy: 61.03 %
*
List of people from Rajasthan*
Districts of Rajasthan*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.)
*Mathur, P.C., 1995. Social and Economic Dynamics of Rajasthan Politics ( Jaipur, Aaalekh)
*
State Government of Rajasthan - Official home page
*
Flickr (photo) group dedicated to Rajasthan*
Rajasthan: Land of Kings - photo gallery
