Comprehensive Study Notes on Rajasthan Geography and Political History

Freshwater Lakes of Rajasthan

Rajasthan's freshwater lakes are vital ecological and cultural resources. A useful mnemonic to remember many of these is "किसी दिन बनूँगी मैं राजा की रानी" (Kisi din banungi main raja ki rani), which helps identify several major lakes. The prominent freshwater lakes and their locations include the following:

Kaylana Lake and Balsamand Lake are both located in Jodhpur. The Rajsamand lake is situated in the district of Rajsamand, while Ramgarh and Mawtha lakes are found in Jaipur. Udaipur is home to several significant water bodies, including Jaisamand Lake, Fatehsagar Lake, and Doodh Talai. Other notable lakes include Siliserh Lake in Alwar, Moti Jheel in Bharatpur, Kolayat Lake in Bikaner, and Kanak Sagar in Bundi.

Chronology of the Praja Mandals in Rajasthan

The formation of Praja Mandals in Rajasthan followed a specific chronological order, which can be memorized using mnemonics like "जब हमारा बीका शामे धौक अभ" (Jab hamara beeka shame dhauk abh) and "किशन को सिर कुशल बांस डुंगर जैसे प्रताप झाला" (Kishan ko sir kushal bans dungar jaise pratap jhala). These movements were essential for political awakening and democratic governance in the princely states.

The timeline of establishment is as follows:

• $1931$: Jaipur and Bundi Praja Mandals were established.

• $1934$: Marwar and Hadoti Praja Mandals were formed.

• $1936$: The Bikaner Praja Mandal was established.

• $1938$: A significant number were formed this year, including Mewar, Shahpura, Dholpur, Alwar, Bharatpur, and Karauli.

• $1939$: Kishangarh, Kota, and Sirohi Praja Mandals were established.

• $1942$: The Kushalgarh Praja Mandal was founded.

• $1943$: The Banswara Praja Mandal was formed.

• $1944$: The Dungarpur Praja Mandal was established.

• $1945$: Jaisalmer and Pratapgarh Praja Mandals were founded.

• $1946$: The Jhalawar Praja Mandal was established.

Rivers of Internal Drainage in Rajasthan

Internal drainage rivers do not reach the sea but vanish in the desert sands or flow into lakes. The mnemonic "काळा रूस गया घर में" (Kaka rus gaya ghar mein) helps in remembering these rivers:

• का (Ka): Kantli River

• का (Ka): Kakney River

• रू (Ru): Rupangarh River

• स (Sa): Sabi River

• घ (Gha): Ghaggar River

• र (Ra): Ruparel River

• में (Mein): Mentha River

Soil Classifications and Distribution

The soils of Rajasthan vary significantly across different geographical regions, influencing agriculture and vegetation. Below is an exhaustive list of soil types and the districts they inhabit:

Yellow Brown Soil is found in Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Bhilwara, and Chittorgarh. New Brown Soil is prevalent in Bhilwara, Ajmer, and Beawar. Mountain Soil characterizes the terrain of Udaipur, Salumber, and Kota. Red-Loam Soil is specific to the Dungarpur and Banswara regions. Black Medium Soil covers the Hadoti region, including Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar. Calci Brown Desert Soil is found in Jaisalmer and Bikaner, while Desert and Sand Dunes soil is widespread across Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Jodhpur.

Additionally, specialized classifications include Sairozems and Reverina soils in Ganganagar. General Desert Soil covers Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and the Shekhawati region. Gypsiferous soil is found in Bikaner. Gray-Brown Alluvial Soil is distributed in Pali, Nagaur, Ajmer, Jalore, and Sirohi. Non-Calcic Brown Soil is found in Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Nagaur, and Ajmer. New Alluvial Soil is located in Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Deeg, Sawai Madhopur, and Khairthal-Tijara.

Irrigation and Lift Canals of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project

The lift canals of the Indira Gandhi Canal project have undergone name changes to honor historical and regional figures. These canals are vital for providing irrigation and drinking water to arid regions.

The Nohar Sahwa Lift Canal is now known as the Chaudhary Kumbharam Lift Canal, serving Hanumangarh, Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Bikaner; it specifically provides drinking water to Jhunjhunu. The Bikaner-Lunkaransar Lift Canal, now the Kanwarsen Lift Canal, serves Ganganagar and Bikaner and is notable for being the first built and the longest lift canal. The Gajner Lift Canal is renamed the Panna Lal Barupal Lift Canal, providing drinking water to the Nagaur and Bikaner districts.

The Bangadsar Lift Canal, now named the Veer Tejaji Lift Canal, serves Bikaner and is identified as the shortest lift canal in the system. The Kolayat Lift Canal has been renamed the Dr. Karni Singh Lift Canal, serving Bikaner and Phalodi. The Phalodi Lift Canal is now the Guru Jambheshwar Lift Canal, benefiting Bikaner and Phalodi. Finally, the Pokhran Lift Canal is now the Jai Narayan Vyas Lift Canal, serving the Jaisalmer and Phalodi districts.

Hydrology and the Mahi River System

The Mahi River system is a critical water source for Southern Rajasthan and Gujarat. The river originates in the Amroru Hills of Madhya Pradesh and enters Rajasthan at Khandu village in the Banswara district. Its path includes significant infrastructure such as the Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam. Major tributaries include the Som River and the Jakham River, with the latter originating in the Bhanwarmata hills. A significant confluence occurs at Beneshwar in Dungarpur. The river eventually flows into the Kadana Dam in Gujarat before reaching the Gulf of Khambhat.

Climatic Regions of Rajasthan

According to Thornthwaite's classification, Rajasthan is divided into four major climatic zones based on aridity and moisture:

• EA'd (Tropical Desert Climate): The representative city is Jaisalmer. This zone includes Jaisalmer, Barmer, Balotra, Phalodi, and Jodhpur.

• DB'w (Semi-arid Climate): The representative city is Bikaner. It covers Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Anupgarh, and Churu.

• DA'w (Tropical Humid/Sub-humid Climate): The representative city is Ajmer. This is a large zone including Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Karauli, Dholpur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Dausa, Ajmer, Nagaur, Bhilwara, Pali, Sirohi, Chittorgarh, and Udaipur.

• CA'w (Sub-humid Climate): The representative city is Dungarpur. This zone covers Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Kota, Bara, and Jhalawar.

Under General Climatic Classifications, the state is categorized by rainfall, vegetation, and soil types:

• Dry Region: Receives $0-20\,\text{cm}$ of rainfall. Features Marudbhida (Xerophyte) vegetation and Entisols soil. It is represented by Jaisalmer.

• Semi-Dry Region: Receives $20-40\,\text{cm}$ of rainfall. Features Steppe vegetation and Aridisols (sandy-loamy) soil, represented by Jodhpur Rural.

• Sub-Humid Region: Receives $40-60\,\text{cm}$ of rainfall. Characterized by mixed deciduous (Patjhad) forest and Alfisols (alluvial) soil, represented by Jaipur Rural.

• Humid Region: Receives $60-80\,\text{cm}$ of rainfall. Features deciduous vegetation and Inceptisols (red-black) soil, represented by Sawai Madhopur.

• Very Humid Region: Receives more than $80\,\text{cm}$ of rainfall. Characterized by Savannah-type vegetation and Vertisols (medium black) soil, represented by Jhalawar.

Koeppen's classification further defines regions like BWhw (Dry Desert) and BShw (Semi-arid Steppe), with representative cities being Bikaner and Nagaur respectively.

Geographical Comparison of Major Regions

Rajasthan's geography is divided into four primary regions, each differing in area, population, and geological age:

• North-West Desert: Covers $61.11\,\%$ of the area and contains $40\,\%$ of the population. Formed during the late Pleistocene era, it is the 4th oldest region.

• Aravalli Mountain Region: Covers $9\,\%$ of the area with $10\,\%$ of the population. Originating in the Pre-Cambrian era, it is the most ancient part of the state.

• Eastern Plains: Covers $23\,\%$ of the area and houses $39\,\%$ of the population. Formed during the early Pleistocene era, it is the 3rd oldest.

• South-East Plateau: Covers $6.89\,\%$ of the area with $11\,\%$ of the population. It dates back to the Cretaceous era and is the 2nd oldest.

Administrative Divisions and District Formation

Rajasthan is divided into administrative divisions (Sambhag). Notable divisions include the Bikaner division (comprising Bikaner, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Anupgarh), which is identified as having the lowest number of rivers. The Sikar division includes Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Neem Ka Thana. The Pali division consists of Pali, Sanchore, Jalore, and Sirohi. The Kota division includes Kota, Bundi, Bara, and Jhalawar.

The history of additional districts being added to the state follows this timeline:

• 27th district: Dholpur (15 April $1982$)

• 28th district: Bara (10 April $1991$)

• 29th district: Dausa (10 April $1991$)

• 30th district: Rajsamand (10 April $1991$)

• 31st district: Hanumangarh (12 July $1992$)

• 32nd district: Karauli (19 July $1997$)

• 33rd district: Pratapgarh (26 January $2008$)