Rajasthan is the largest state of the India in terms of area and it is located in the north western part of the country. This state is surrounded by Pakistan to the west, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Gujarat to the southwest, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the north east, and Punjab to the north. The capital of Rajasthan is Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City. Gifted with natural beauty, a great history, splendid forts & palaces, colourful festivals & fairs, lively culture, varied landscape and thick forests, Rajasthan will never disappoint you. Miraculous legends of bravery and romance still resonate from its equally astonishing architecture that still stands to narrate its tale of a bygone era. The magic of Rajasthan is unequalled in the world for its heritage, culture, safaris, sand dunes and lush green forests with its wildlife. Rajasthan is often articulated as a huge open-air museum with historical object so well preserved for the travelers and the curious of the day.
It is action packed with outdoors too; take a safari on horses, camels, elephants or even jeeps with the Aravalis - the oldest mountain range of India in the backdrop, or caress your eyes on the sloppy sand dunes, or trail a tiger or just watch birds on wetland. You can also choose to indulge yourself in the lavish heritage properties. Rajasthan has something for everyone, just choose your activity.
Dotted with some of the most exotic havelis and castles imaginable, a trip to Rajasthan in India is made even more memorable by the various stories which are attached to these silent witnesses of an era gone by. Almost each and every monument in Rajasthan has a story linking it to its past that adds an enigma to these otherwise inert blocks of mortar and stone. A history of chivalry, bravery and heroism beckons you to the magical province of Rajasthan the moment you step into this desert paradise.
The history of Rajasthan dates back to as early as the eight century, when some of the first Rajput clans established their prowess amidst the glistening golden sands of the Thar Desert. The grandeur of the Rajputs was followed by several of the other illustrious clans which included the Nath, Jats, Bhils, Ahirs, Gujars as well as the Meenas. Each of these tribes established their sovereignty on the various districts of Rajasthan, or, Rajputana which resulted in the enhancement of the development and cultures of these districts, notable among which were the districts of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Udaipur. Tonk was an important exception in the other wise Hindu ruled province of greater Rajputana.
The Islamic invasions of the Delhi sultanate as well as those of the comparatively more powerful Mughal armies were successfully resisted by the various districts and principalities of Rajasthan, which has shaped Rajasthan into the way we see her today. Many of the stories of this Golden Age in the History of Rajasthan is kept alive even today in the minds of the people of the land, which is one of the most striking proofs of the pride that the people feel for their homeland.
The daunting valor of the Rajputs was, however, dimmed when much of the territories of the province were annexed by the Maratha general Scindia which resulted in several of the rulers of the various districts and principalities of Rajputana concluding treaties with the British rulers in exchange for protection from the Marathas. This proved to be one of the most important reasons for the smooth merger of the province of Rajasthan with India on the latter's gaining independence.
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