"The land of kings" as it is popularly known as, is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. Located in the northwest of India, its most of the area comprises of large, inhospitable Great Indian Thar Desert. Rajasthan covers 10.4% of India, an area of 342,239 square kilometres (132,139 sq mi) with different terrains including the Thar Desert along north-western Rajasthan and the termination of the Ghaggar River near the archaeological ruins at Kalibanga of the Indus Valley Civilization, which are the oldest in the Indian subcontinent discovered so far.
Some of the most important destinations includes one of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range,Mount Abu, famous for Dilwara Temples, a sacred pilgrimage forJains. Eastern Rajasthan has the world famous Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, a World Heritage Site known for its bird life. It also has two national tiger reserves,Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve, and a famous temple in Khatu, Sikar district, dedicated to Khatu Shyam Ji. Rajasthan was carved into a state on 30 March 1949, when the region known until then as Rajputana, consisting of erstwhile 18 princely states, two chiefships and the British district of Ajmer-Merwara.
Comprising of different castes and tribes and histories, the people of Rajasthan affirms our belief that how people with so many differences can still live together in peace and harmony. Minas, Meos and Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, are abundant towards Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur in the southwest of the state and were mostly travelling tradesmen and artisans. The Bhils are famed archers of the legends and one of the oldest tribes of India inhabit the districts of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur, Banswarara, Udaipur, and Sirohi. The Grasias and nomadic Kathodis live in the Mewar region. Kota is the home of the Sahariyas. And the Rabaris of the Marwar region are nomadic cattle breeders.
The some of the most important communities of Rajasthan are that of the Rajputs, Jats, Brahmans and the traders. The Rajputs are legendary martial race who are known for their chivalry and valour. The Brahmans, as in rest of India, were the priests and teachers. While as, the Mahajans are still the backbone of the village economy. The Jats and the Gujars are the agrarian communities. |
