RAJASTHAN STATE - HISTORY

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        The Aravali mountain ranges, one of the oldest in the world, where the earliest traces of a 4000-year-old civilisation have been recently excavated. Its harsh and arid north-western frontier, bordered by the desert territory of Thar, has always been the favourite infiltration passage of countless traders, highwaymen and bandits since time immemorial.

       The natives of Rajasthan are called Rajputs (short of Raja putra or Prince) who have been known for their undaunted vigour and chivalry ever since. Whenever faced with defeat, they have preferred to fight out than surrender. Only the Mughal emperors, Akbar the Great and Shah Jehan were partially successful in forging alliances with a few Rajput kings, thereby gaining a foothold for themselves in the western parts of the state.

      The earliest known inhabitants of Rajasthan belonged to the great Harappan civilisation (circa 3000 BC); thousand years after which the horse-riding Aryans moved in from Asia Minor. In about 400 A.D., Rajasthan became an integral part of the great Mauryan Empire, considered to be the most prosperous and civilised empire in the world at that time. However, after its fall, the state went to the ravaging onslaughts of the Huns and the Scythians.

      Later, the Scythians settled in Rajasthan, married the Aryans, and gave birth to offspring that were more powerfully built than the Aryans, more nobler in appearance than the Aryans and were mentally powerful too. Very soon, this distinct breed of Indo-Scythians came to be known as the Rajput warrior class. This class later sub-divided itself into several clans, each clan taking possession of a different region, 700 A.D. onwards.

      With the passage of time, and further intermingling with local tribes and races, the differences between each clan grew, not only in physical appearance but also ritually. One clan proclaimed Lord Shiva as its presiding deity, another claimed descent from the Sun, one other, from the Moon. However, in chivalry, bravery, patriotism and humanistic virtues, no clan was less than any other. During this era (700 – 1100 AD), the followers of Lord Mahavira, the Jain community, settled in Rajasthan. They were strictly non-violent, industrious and wealthy. They built ornate temples which are preserved even today. The Rajputs and the Jains soon turned Rajasthan into one of the most wealthy states of India.

       The division of the Rajputs into clans, the immigration of the Jains, resulting boom of trade and commerce, and the unusually long period of peace; all resulted into the invasion by the Turks, the Afghans and the Mongols, all ancient enemies of the Scythians. And the effects could be seen for the next 700 years. First came the Turks, then the Afghans, and finally the Mughals. Forts and walled cities were built, attacked, plundered and re-built. Each clash, battle and war left indelible scars. Yet, no war could be conclusive, as the Rajput’s patriotism refused to be extinguished. Not even the Mughal emperors Barber, Humayun or Akbar could capture Rajasthan; in fact, Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan (150 years) had to uphold ceasefire and the peace in Rajasthan.

       Rajputs and Mughals began to work together to chronicle the history and heritage of India. Indo-Mughal arts, architecture and literature flourished. Rajput kings and armies joined the Mughal forces and helped to protect the Mughals from foreign invasions. Akbar married a Rajput princess, Jodha Bai who influenced Akbar to create a new religion, Ain-I-Akbari, a happy blend of Hindu and Muslim tenets.

       Only the royal household of Udaipur refused to give a princess to the Muslims, and to this day, the Rajputs of Udaipur (descendants of the households of Uday Singh and the venerableMaharana Pratap Singh of Mewar) are considered to be the noblest of them all. Then came the British rulers. And several Rajput states were gradually brought under control. The Rajput allies of the Mughals were deprived of their crown and executional powers. The British proclaimed Rajasthan as a federation of princely states each with its own Maharaja. As the 20th century dawned, the British rulers started their architectural projects and thus sundry new palaces were constructed and designed by British and European architects.

       The princes of Rajasthan were allowed to keep their properties and wealth till 1971; As on date, they are retained as a matter of prestige and most of which have been converted into hotels. Hence, tourists have a good chance to make their pleasurable trip to Rajasthan allthe more royal.

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