Rajasthan History

According to the Hindu Mythology, the Rajputs of Rajasthan were the descendants of the Kshatriyas or warriors of Vedic India. The emergence of the Rajput warrior clans was in the 6th and 7th centuries. Rajputs ancestry can be divided into two: the "solar" or suryavanshi-those descended from Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, and the "lunar" or chandravanshi, who claimed descent from Krishana, the hero of the epic Mahabharata. Later a third clan was added, the agnikula or fire-born, said to have emerged from the flames of a sacrificial fire on Mt Abu.

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.

Rajasthan is the abode of Maharajas and has rich cultural heritage. It is the large state of the country. With uncountable forts, palaces and monuments, the history of Rajasthan attracts several history buffs.

Rajasthan was formerly known as Rajputana as it was ruled over by Rajputs. Rajput refers to 'son of rulers'. They emerged in the beginning of 8th century and established their kingdom. Around 1200 AD, Muslim invaders entered in Rajasthan. A number of states fall into the hands of Mughal rulers. Mewar was the most powerful and impressive state of Rajasthan at the offset of 13th century. Never before the reign of Akbar, Rajasthan was united as one political unit. Mughal Empire started declining after 1707.

In 1755, Marathas conquered Ajmer and marked their entry into Rajasthan. In 1817-18, Rajasthan witnessed the rule of the British with the conclusion of alliance treaties with the British government. After independence, Rajputana (now Rajasthan) consisted of 18 princely states, 2 chieftains and the province of Ajmer-Merwara. After the integration of all the princely states, Rajputana came to be known as Rajasthan in the year 1956.

There are myriad forts and havelis that tell the history of Rajasthan. The architectural splendor of yesteryear is still visible within the walls of these palaces, forts and havelis. Endowed with exceptional architecture and intricate carvings, these palatial manors remind of grandeur and elegance of bygone era.