The state of Rajasthan has a rich historical legacy and has been the kingdom of many rulers. The origin & history of Rajasthan goes back to 1200 A.D. The history of Rajasthan is about 5000 years old and the mythological origin of this gigantic land is related to the famous myth of Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The history of the Indian state Rajasthan can be classified into three parts owing to the different epochs- Ancient, Medieval and Modern.
¤ Ancient History (Till 1200 A.D)
Rajasthan is the north-western region of India, and has remain independent from the great empires. Buddhism failed to make substantial inroad here; the Mauryan empire (321-184 BC), whose most renowned emperor, Ashoka, Converted to Buddhism in 261 BC, had minimal impact in Rajasthan, However, there are Buddhist caves and stupas (Buddhist Shrines) at Jhalawar, in Southern Rajasthan. Ancient Hindu scriptural epics make reference to sites in present-day Rajasthan. The Holy Pilgrimage site of Pushkar is mentioned in both the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
¤ Emergence of the Rajputs
The fall of the Gupta Empire, which held dominance in northern India for nearly 300 years until the early 5th Century, was followed by a period of instability as various local chieftains sought to gain supremacy. Power rose and fell in northern India. Stability was only restored with the emergence of the Gurjara Partiharas, the earliest of the Rajput (from 'Rajputra', or Sons of Princes) dynasties which were later to hold the balance of power throughout Rajasthan.
Whatever their actual origins, the Rajputs have evolved a complex mythological genealogy. This ancestry can be divided into two main branches: the Suryavansa, or Race of the Sun (Solar Race), which claims direct descent from Rama; and the Induvansa, or Race of the Moon (Lunar race), which claims descent from Krishna, Later a third branch was added, the Agnikula, or 'Fire Born'. These people claim they were manifested from the flames of a sacrificial fire on Mt.Abu From these three Principal races emerged the 36 Rajput clans.
The Rajput clans gave rise to dynasties such as the Chauhans, Sisodias, Kachhwahas and Rathores. Chauhans of the Agnikula Race emerged in the 12th century and were renowned for their valour. Their territories included the Sapadalksha kingdom, which encompassed a vast area including present- day Jaipur, Ranthambore, part of Mewar, the western portion of Bundi district, Ajmer Kishangarh and even, at one time, Delhi. Branches of the Chauhans also ruled territories know as Ananta (in present-day Shekhawati) and Saptasatabhumi.
The Sisodias of the Suryavansa Race, Originally from Gujarat, migrated to Rajasthan in the mid-7th Century and reigned over Mewar, which encompassed Udaipur and Chittorgarh.
The Kachhwahas, originally from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, travelled west in the 12th century. They built the massive fort at Amber, and later shifted the capital to Jaipur. Like the Sisodias, they belonged to the Suryavansa Race. Also belonging to the Suryavansa Race, the Rathore (earlier known as Rastrakutas) traveled from Kanauj, in Uttar Pradesh. Initially they settled in Pali, south of present-day Jodhpur, but later moved to Mandore in 1381 and ruled over Marwar (Jodhpur). Later they started building the stunning Meherangarh (fort) at Jodhpur.
The Bhattis, who belong to the Induvansa Race, driven from their homeland in the Punjab by the Turks, installed themselves at Jaisalmer in 1156. They remained more of less entrenched in their desert Kingdom untill they were integrated into the state of Rajasthan following Independence.
¤ Medieval History (1201 A.D - 1707 A.D)
In this medieval era around 1200 AD, Muslim rulers took over a part of Rajasthan. The major regions of Rajasthan such as Nagaur, Ajmer and Ranthanbhor came under the Mughal hegemony headed by the Mughal ruler- Akbar. The most famous Rajput warriors who represented the vigor and valiance of the Rajput dynasty and whose tales of chivalry are still imprinted in the sands of Rajasthan were Rana Uday Singh, his son Rana Pratap, Bhappa Rawal, Rana Kumbha and Prithviraj Chauhan and others. Around 13th century, Mewar emerged as one of the most powerful state in Rajasthan and remained so for quite sometime. Mewar was the prime battlefield and the place has witnessed some of the most gruesome battles.
¤ Modern History (1707 A.D - 1947 A.D)
Till the time Akbar ruled, Rajasthan and the Mughal Empire flourished in all its glory. After 1707, the Mughal power started to weaken. As the Mughal Empire began to break up, the political degeneration of Rajasthan started to take place. Rajasthan was then plundered by the Marathas and Pindaris. This carried on till the start of 19th century after which the British took over and continued till 1947. During the British rule, Rajasthan was a conglomeration of princely states and each state was designated as Rajputana and was ruled by a Mahajaraja.
From the beginning of the 20th century the Maharaja's of Rajasthan indulged in opulent luxury primarily to satisfy the English rulers. They had a penchant for visiting foreign countries, playing polo and even took part in horse racing, all of which exhausted the royal treasury.
¤ Post Independence
Rajasthan was broken up into several small provinces by the British for easy administration. The first step that was taken was the slow merging of all the provinces into one state. This long process began in the year 1948 and ended in 1956. It was then officially declared as one state called Rajasthan. Now, Rajasthan has 32 districts that have been officially declared a part of Rajasthan by the Government and now it is the second largest state of India.
¤ Ancient History (Till 1200 A.D)
Rajasthan is the north-western region of India, and has remain independent from the great empires. Buddhism failed to make substantial inroad here; the Mauryan empire (321-184 BC), whose most renowned emperor, Ashoka, Converted to Buddhism in 261 BC, had minimal impact in Rajasthan, However, there are Buddhist caves and stupas (Buddhist Shrines) at Jhalawar, in Southern Rajasthan. Ancient Hindu scriptural epics make reference to sites in present-day Rajasthan. The Holy Pilgrimage site of Pushkar is mentioned in both the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
¤ Emergence of the Rajputs
The fall of the Gupta Empire, which held dominance in northern India for nearly 300 years until the early 5th Century, was followed by a period of instability as various local chieftains sought to gain supremacy. Power rose and fell in northern India. Stability was only restored with the emergence of the Gurjara Partiharas, the earliest of the Rajput (from 'Rajputra', or Sons of Princes) dynasties which were later to hold the balance of power throughout Rajasthan.
Whatever their actual origins, the Rajputs have evolved a complex mythological genealogy. This ancestry can be divided into two main branches: the Suryavansa, or Race of the Sun (Solar Race), which claims direct descent from Rama; and the Induvansa, or Race of the Moon (Lunar race), which claims descent from Krishna, Later a third branch was added, the Agnikula, or 'Fire Born'. These people claim they were manifested from the flames of a sacrificial fire on Mt.Abu From these three Principal races emerged the 36 Rajput clans.
The Rajput clans gave rise to dynasties such as the Chauhans, Sisodias, Kachhwahas and Rathores. Chauhans of the Agnikula Race emerged in the 12th century and were renowned for their valour. Their territories included the Sapadalksha kingdom, which encompassed a vast area including present- day Jaipur, Ranthambore, part of Mewar, the western portion of Bundi district, Ajmer Kishangarh and even, at one time, Delhi. Branches of the Chauhans also ruled territories know as Ananta (in present-day Shekhawati) and Saptasatabhumi.
The Sisodias of the Suryavansa Race, Originally from Gujarat, migrated to Rajasthan in the mid-7th Century and reigned over Mewar, which encompassed Udaipur and Chittorgarh.
The Kachhwahas, originally from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, travelled west in the 12th century. They built the massive fort at Amber, and later shifted the capital to Jaipur. Like the Sisodias, they belonged to the Suryavansa Race. Also belonging to the Suryavansa Race, the Rathore (earlier known as Rastrakutas) traveled from Kanauj, in Uttar Pradesh. Initially they settled in Pali, south of present-day Jodhpur, but later moved to Mandore in 1381 and ruled over Marwar (Jodhpur). Later they started building the stunning Meherangarh (fort) at Jodhpur.
The Bhattis, who belong to the Induvansa Race, driven from their homeland in the Punjab by the Turks, installed themselves at Jaisalmer in 1156. They remained more of less entrenched in their desert Kingdom untill they were integrated into the state of Rajasthan following Independence.
¤ Medieval History (1201 A.D - 1707 A.D)
In this medieval era around 1200 AD, Muslim rulers took over a part of Rajasthan. The major regions of Rajasthan such as Nagaur, Ajmer and Ranthanbhor came under the Mughal hegemony headed by the Mughal ruler- Akbar. The most famous Rajput warriors who represented the vigor and valiance of the Rajput dynasty and whose tales of chivalry are still imprinted in the sands of Rajasthan were Rana Uday Singh, his son Rana Pratap, Bhappa Rawal, Rana Kumbha and Prithviraj Chauhan and others. Around 13th century, Mewar emerged as one of the most powerful state in Rajasthan and remained so for quite sometime. Mewar was the prime battlefield and the place has witnessed some of the most gruesome battles.
¤ Modern History (1707 A.D - 1947 A.D)
Till the time Akbar ruled, Rajasthan and the Mughal Empire flourished in all its glory. After 1707, the Mughal power started to weaken. As the Mughal Empire began to break up, the political degeneration of Rajasthan started to take place. Rajasthan was then plundered by the Marathas and Pindaris. This carried on till the start of 19th century after which the British took over and continued till 1947. During the British rule, Rajasthan was a conglomeration of princely states and each state was designated as Rajputana and was ruled by a Mahajaraja.
From the beginning of the 20th century the Maharaja's of Rajasthan indulged in opulent luxury primarily to satisfy the English rulers. They had a penchant for visiting foreign countries, playing polo and even took part in horse racing, all of which exhausted the royal treasury.
¤ Post Independence
Rajasthan was broken up into several small provinces by the British for easy administration. The first step that was taken was the slow merging of all the provinces into one state. This long process began in the year 1948 and ended in 1956. It was then officially declared as one state called Rajasthan. Now, Rajasthan has 32 districts that have been officially declared a part of Rajasthan by the Government and now it is the second largest state of India.
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