Comprehensive General Introduction to Rajasthan: History, Geography, and State Symbols

Historical Nomenclature of Rajasthan

• Evolution of the Name: Prior to the year $1949\,CE$, there was no geographical entity known as Rajasthan.

  • In $1800\,CE$, George Thomas was the first to use the term Rajputana to refer to this landmass.
  • In $1829\,CE$, Colonel James Tod, the author of Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, used the names Rayathan or Rajasthan for this region.
  • Following the independence of India and the subsequent integration of princely states, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel officially named the region Rajasthan on $March\,30,\,1949\,CE$.

• Ancient Regional Names: Ancient literature and inscriptions use various names for different parts of present-day Rajasthan based on geographical features, tribes, and linguistic factors. Some names are found in the Rigveda, including Maru, Dhanva, Jangal, Matsya, and Shurasena.

  • Maru and Dhanva: Both terms represent a desert. These were used for the desert areas within the Jodhpur division. Jodhpur was initially called Maru, then Maruwar, and eventually became known as Marwar.
  • Jangal: This term was applied to regions where trees like Shami, Ker, or Peelu were prevalent. Bikaner, Nagaur, and surrounding areas were historically known as Jangal Desh.
  • Matsya: Mentioned in the Mahabharata, this kingdom extended across Jaipur, Alwar, and Bharatpur, with its capital at Viratnagar.
  • Shurasena: This kingdom included the regions of Dholpur, Karauli, and the parts of Bharatpur bordering Mathura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata.

Geographical and Symbolic Regional Classifications

• Ancient Names of Specific Regions:

  • Bikaner: Jangal Pradesh.
  • Jhalawar / Jhalrapatan: Jhalawar.
  • Ajmer-Nagaur (Central Area): Sapadalaksh (the domain of the Chauhans).
  • Alwar (Nearby areas): Kuru.
  • Banswara: Bagad / Vyaghrat.
  • Ganganagar: Yohiyawati / Chohtan.
  • Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli: Shurasena Desh.
  • Jalore / Bhinmal: Godwar / Shrimal / Bhinmal.
  • Jaipur (Nearby area): Viratnagar.
  • Udaipur / Chittorgarh: Mewar / Pragvat.
  • Kota – Bundi: Hadoti.
  • Dungarpur – Banswara: Bagad.
  • Jodhpur: Maru / Marwar.
  • Jodhpur (Southern part): Gurjaratra.
  • Sirohi: Arbud (Abu Desh) / Chandravati.
  • Jaisalmer: Maand / Vall / Jangal.

• Names Based on Geographical Features:

  • Kanthal: The area of Pratapgarh located on the banks of the Mahi River.
  • Chhappan Plain (Chhappan ka Maidan): The region between Pratapgarh and Banswara, named after its group of $56$ villages.
  • Uparmal: The plateau region extending from Bhainsrodgarh to Bijolia.
  • Girwa: The mountainous area surrounding Udaipur.
  • Dhad: The flow area of the Dhund River near Jaipur.
  • Thali: The region around Churu and Sardarshahar.
  • Meval / Mevariya: The area situated between Dungarpur and Banswara.
  • Maand: The ancient name for Jaisalmer.
  • Bagad: Specifically the Dungarpur-Banswara region.
  • Hadoti: The Kota and Bundi region.
  • Shekhawati: Comprising Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu.

Stages of the Integration of Rajasthan

1. Stage 1: Matsya Sangh ($March\,18,\,1948$): Includes Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli.
2. Stage 2: Rajasthan Sangh ($March\,25,\,1948$): Includes Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kishangarh, Kota, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, and Tonk.
3. Stage 3: Sanyukt Rajya Rajasthan ($April\,18,\,1948$): Integration of Udaipur into the Rajasthan Sangh.
4. Stage 4: Vrihad Rajasthan ($March\,30,\,1949$): Bikaner, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur merged into Sanyukt Rajya Rajasthan.
5. Stage 5: Sanyukt Rajya Vrihad Rajasthan ($May\,15,\,1949$): The Matsya Sangh was merged into Vrihad Rajasthan.
6. Stage 6: Sanyukt Rajasthan ($January\,26,\,1550$): The merger of Sirohi (except Abu and Dilwara) into Sanyukt Rajya Vrihad Rajasthan.
7. Stage 7: Reorganized Rajasthan ($November\,01,\,1956$): The inclusion of Ajmer state (Category C), Abu Road Taluka, the part of Sirohi previously in Bombay state, and Sunel Tappa from Madhya Bharat.

Important Nicknames and Epithets of Places

• Bharatpur: Eastern Gateway of Rajasthan.
• Jaisalmer: Golden City (Swarna Nagari), Rose of the Desert, Andaman of Rajasthan, City of Havelis and Jharokhas, City of Narrow Lanes.
• Deeg: City of Water Palaces.
• Kota: Kanpur of Rajasthan, Industrial City, City of Gardens.
• Alwar: Scotland of Rajasthan, Lion's Gate ($Simha\,Dwar$) of Rajasthan.
• Jaipur: Pink City, Paris of India.
• Ajmer: Heart of Rajasthan, Mecca of India.
• Tonk: City of Nawabs.
• Nagaur: Metal City ($Dhatu\,Nagar$) of Rajasthan.
• Lunkaransar: Pathankot of Rajasthan.
• Bundi: City of Stepwells ($Bawariyon\,ka\,Shahar$).
• Ganganagar: Food Basket of Rajasthan.
• Jhalrapatan: City of Bells ($City\,of\,Bells$).
• Jalore: Granite City, Suvarna Nagari.
• Jhunjhunu: Copper District.
• Jodhpur: Gateway to the Thar Desert, Sun City ($Suryanagari$), Maru Pradesh.
• Udaipur: City of Lakes, Venice of the East, Kashmir of Rajasthan, City of Fountains and Monuments.
• Pushkar: Konkan Tirtha.
• Banswara: City of a Hundred Islands, City of Aboriginals.
• Sanchore (Jalore): Punjab of Rajasthan.
• Dungarpur: City of Mountains.
• Bhilwara: Manchester of Rajasthan, Textile City.
• Jhalawar: Nagpur of Rajasthan.
• Maru Triangle: Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner.

State Symbols of Rajasthan

1. Camel (State Domestic Animal)

• Scientific Name: $Camelus\,dromedarius$.
• Official Status: Declared state domestic animal on $September\,19,\,2014$.
• Statistics: Rajasthan holds $84.83\%$ of India's total camel population. Jaisalmer has the highest number, while Pratapgarh has the lowest.
• Institutions: Central Camel Research Center is located in Johirbeed (Bikaner), established on $July\,5,\,1984$, and managed by ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research).
• Camel Milk: India's first camel milk dairy is in Johirbeed (Bikaner). A mini-plant for camel milk is in Jaipur. The milk contains Vitamin-C and is beneficial for diabetes.
• Adornments:
  • Gorband: Neck ornament.
  • Katho / Palaan / Hodda: Back seat.
  • Pachheni: Tail ornament.
  • Tang: Belly strap.
  • Morkha: Mouthpiece.
• Cultural Significance:
  • Ashok Tak is known as the "Camel Man."
  • Pabuji is worshipped as the deity of camels; he is credited with bringing camels to the Marwar region.
  • Usta Kala: Painting on the skin of a dead camel.
  • Jat Kadhai: Artwork on camel hair.
• Social Aspects: The camel-rearing caste is the Rebari in the Mewar region and Raika in the Marwar region.
• Legal Protections: The Rajasthan Camel Slaughter Prohibition Act was implemented on $December\,21,\,2014$.
• International Recognition: The UNO declared $2024$ as the International Year of Camelids. World Camel Day is celebrated on $June\,22$.

2. Rohida (State Flower)

• Scientific Name: $Tecomella\,undulata$.
• Official Status: $October\,31,\,1983$.
• Folk Names: Teak of the Desert (Marusthal ka Sagwan), Marushobha.
• Characteristics: It is found primarily in Western Rajasthan. The flower colors are yellow and saffron. The wood is used for high-quality furniture.
• Threat: Its primary enemy is the Jarilla Bhung (a harmful insect).

3. Khejri (State Tree)

• Scientific Name: $Prosopis\,cineraria$.
• Official Status: $October\,31,\,1983$.
• Components: Leaves are called Loong, flowers are Meejhar, and fruit is Sangari (dried as Khokha).
• Religious Significance: Worshipped in association with Dhan Baveya, Kunwarji, Gogaji, and Jhunjharji. It appears in the royal 'Mato' symbols of Bikaner.
• Khejreli Events:
  • Khejreli Massacre ($1730\,CE$): In Jodhpur, under the leadership of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, $363$ people sacrificed their lives to save trees.
  • Khejreli Fair: Held on Bhadrapada Shukla Dashami in Jodhpur; it is the world's only tree fair.
  • Khejreli Day: First celebrated on $September\,12,\,1978$.
• Conservation: Operation Khejra was launched in $1991$ for tree protection.

4. Godawan (State Bird)

• Scientific Name: $Ardeotis\,nigriceps$.
• Official Status: $May\,21,\,1981$.
• Common Names: Great Indian Bustard, Malmordi, Hukna, Son Chiraiya.
• Habitat: Found in Shokaliya (Ajmer), Sorsan (Baran), and National Desert Park (Jaisalmer). The breeding ground is Sewan grass.
• Conservation: Project Great Indian Bustard was launched on $June\,5,\,2013$. A commemorative stamp of $2.30\,paise$ was issued in $November\,1980$.

5. Chinkara (State Wild Animal)

• Scientific Name: $Gazella\,bennettii$.
• Official Status: $May\,22,\,1981$.
• Habitat: Nahargarh Sanctuary (Jaipur) and National Desert Park (Jaisalmer). It is also the district mascot of Ganganagar.

Arts, Literature, and Sports

• State Classical Dance: Kathak. Originates from Rajasthan. The main exponent of the Jaipur Gharana is Bhanuji.     

• State Sport: Basketball. Received official status in $1948$. Academic centers include:

  • Women's Basketball Academy: Jaipur ($2007$).
  • Men's Basketball Academy: Jaisalmer.

• State Desert Sweet: Ghevar. Predominantly prepared during festivals like Gangaur, Teej, and Makar Sankranti.

• State Poet: Suryamall Misran. Born in Harana village, Bundi. He was the court poet of King Ram Singh I of Bundi.

  • First work: Ramranjat (written at age $10$).
  • Famous works: Vansh Bhaskar, Veer Satsai, Sati Raso, Chhand Mayukh.

• State Musical Instrument: Algoza. A wind instrument (Sushir Vadya). Notable performer: Ramnarayan Chaudhary (famed for playing it through his nose). Commonly played by Bhil and Kalbeliya tribes.

• State Song: "Kesariya Balam Aao Ni Padharo Mhare Desh".

  • Style: Mand singing.
  • Theme: Virah Geet (a song of longing, calling back a spouse from foreign lands).
  • International Recognition: Attained through Allah Jilai Bai.

• State Dance: Ghoomur.

  • Titles: Pride of Folk Dances, Soul of Dances, Rajwadi Dance.
  • Instrumentation: Shehnai, Dhol, Nagada.
  • Variations: Ghoomur (by women), Dhumariya (by girls), Lur (by Garasia tribe).

Questions & Discussion

Q: When was the name Rajasthan officially adopted? Rajasthan was officially named on $March\,30,\,1949\,CE$, following the integration of princely states after independence. The naming was overseen by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Q: What was the old name of Rajasthan? The previous name was Rajputana, used by George Thomas in $1800\,CE$. It became popular due to the various Rajput rulers in the region.

Q: What were the major ancient names for areas in Rajasthan? Major ancient names include Maru, Dhanva, Jangal, Matsya, and Shurasena. These are mentioned in the Rigveda and Mahabharata and were based on geographic and cultural factors.

Q: How and when did the integration of Rajasthan happen? The integration took place in multiple stages between $1948$ and $1956$, merging various princely states. The process was finalized on $November\,1,\,1956$.

Q: What are the primary state symbols?

• State Animal: Chinkara and Camel.
• State Bird: Godawan.
• State Tree: Khejri.
• State Flower: Rohida.
• State Dance: Ghoomur.

Q: Where is the highest concentration of camels found in Rajasthan? The highest number of camels is in Jaisalmer. Rajasthan accounts for over $80\%$ of India's total camel population, as the desert terrain is ideally suited for camel rearing."}