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Foundation of
Rajasthan
Rajasthan was inhabited long before 2500 BC and the Indus
Valley Civilisation had its foundation here in north Rajasthan
itself. The Bhil and the Mina tribes were the earliest
dwellers of this area.
Around 1400 BC the Aryans paid a visit and settled forever in
the area. The local population was pushed down south and
towards the east. Afghans, Turks, Persians and Mughals
followed in mixing their blood, first in war then in peace,
with the existing original inhabitants. This blending gave the
martial lineage to the Rajputs.
From the times of Harsha (7 AD) to the founding of the Delhi
Sultanate, Rajasthan was fragmented in competing kingdoms.
Perhaps it was during this era by their influence through
wealth and power the Rajputs persuaded the Brahmins to link
them with the sun, the moon and the fire god.
With the passage of time they were divided into 36 royal
clans. Rajasthan finally settled for a long and lasting reign
under the colourful and vibrant Rajputs. and it’s a surprise
that they lasted as long as they did. Considering that they
were at a constant state of aggression; if not with a foe,
then with each other. After the 14th century their influence
declined in the area.
In came the Mughals who gained control of the region through
the clever strategy of Akbar, the Mughal Emperor. He performed
matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs where faced military
failure and thus turned them from fearsome foes to faithful
friends. This proud but very divided race was thus brought to
some order under the imperial Mughals, by the some deft mixing
of marital and martial relations. Akbar gave high offices to
many Rajput princes after seeking reconciliation through
marriage to a Rajput princess, Jodha Bai, the daughter of the
Maharaja of Amber. However, the spunk of the Rajput soul was
never really captured, till the spread of the British colonial
power. However, when the Mughals weakened they were quick to
reassert their dominance. The Rajputs as a community thus has
outlived the somewhat tribal Delhi Sultanate, the grand
Mughals and the war-like Marathas. In fact to this day their
descendants, though stripped of their titles and kingdoms, are
revered as rulers by the common man.
Ancient Period, upto 1200 AD
Rajput clans emerged and held their sway over different parts
of Rajasthan from about 700 AD. Before that, Rajasthan was a
part of several republics. It was a part of the Mauryan
Empire. Other major republics that dominated this region
include the Malavas, Arjunyas, Yaudhyas, Kushans, Saka
Satraps, Guptas and Hunas.
The Rajput clans ascendancy in Indian history was during the
period from the eighth to the twelfth century AD. The
Pratihars ruled Rajasthan and most of northern India during
750-1000 AD. Between 1000-1200 AD, Rajasthan witnessed the
struggle for supremacy between Chalukyas, Parmars and Chauhans.
Medieval Period, 1201 - 1707
Around 1200 AD a part of Rajasthan came under Muslim rulers.
The principal centers of their powers were Nagaur and Ajmer.
Ranthanbhor was also under their suzerainty. At the beginning
of the 13th century AD, the most prominent and powerful state
of Rajasthan was Mewar.
Modern Period, 1707 - 1947
Rajasthan had never been united politically until its
domination by Mughal Emperor - Akbar. Akbar created a unified
province of Rajasthan. Mughal power started to decline after
1707. The political disintegration of Rajasthan was caused by
the dismemberment of the Mughal Empire. The Marathas
penetrated Rajasthan upon the decline of the Mughal Empire. In
1755 they occupied Ajmer. The beginning of the 19th Century
was marked by the onslaught of the Pindaris.
In 1817-18 the British Government concluded treaties of
alliance with almost all the states of Rajputana. Thus began
the British rule over Rajasthan, then called Rajputana.
Post Independence
The erstwhile Rajputana comprised 19 princely states and two
chiefships of Lava and Kushalgarh and a British administered
territory of Ajmer-Merwara. Rajasthan State was heterogeneous
conglomeration of separate political entities with different
administrative systems prevailing in different places. The
present State of Rajasthan was formed after a long process of
integration which began on March 17, 1948 and ended on
November 1, 1956. Before integration it was called Rajputana;
after integration it came to be known as Rajasthan. At present
there are 32 districts (including the new district of Karauli),
105 sub-divisions, 241 tehsils, 37889 inhabited villages and
222 towns in the State. |
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