History of Rajasthan

The Rajputs have ruled Rajasthan for close to one thousand years and even today are regarded in very high esteem. One of the major fallacies of the Rajputs has been the fact that they have never been a cohesive and united force while facing the marauding foreign invaders. But one thing that stands out is their courage and valor.

The hardened Rajput warriors are renowned for their exemplary valour in the battlefield and their unbelievable strength against all odds, even at the cost of death, is what has endeared them to lovers of history. There have also been occasions when women consigned themselves to the funeral pyre of their Rajput husbands who attained martyrdom in the battlefield.

In fact Rajasthan has a checkered history. For instance the bewildering Patari craft works of Harappa and Mahenjodaro dating back to 2700 B.C. have been found. The Bairat inscription also reveals the fact that Emperor Ashoka also ruled this place. From 2nd to 4th century, this region was ruled by Sakas, from 4th to 6th centuries by Guptas, in 6th century by Huns between 7-12 century it was ruled by the fierce Rajputs.

Rajasthan has always been a volatile region and in the past small territories were ruled by Ranas or Kings. They ruled for close to 1000 years. On hindsight, one also has to admit that there was no unity among the Ranas/Kings and sensing an opportunity, the first Mughal invasion took place in 1193 wherein Mohammed Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chouhan. Emperor Akbar too had ruled this region and seeing the courage and valor of the Rajputs, appointed many Rajputs in his royal court. Akbar even married Princess Jodha Bai after being charmed by her beauty and grace.

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.

In 1949, the Rana rulers made friends with the Indian administration and with the addition of Ajmer and Marwar along with 22 princely states of Rajputana in the year 1956, came to form the second largest state of India - Rajasthan.