Rajasthan is the one of the 28 states in India. The previous Rajputana comprised 19 princely states and two chief ships of Lava and Kushalgarh and a British administered territory of Ajmer-Merwara. Rajasthan State was heterogeneous collection of separate political entities with different administrative systems existing in different places. The present State of Rajasthan was formed after a long process of incorporation 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 33 districts (including the new district of Pratapgarh) in the State. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert).
Rajasthan History at
a Glance
Early Age
|
Harappan Culture - 1000 BC, Paleolithic Settlement
|
Medieval
Age
|
Rise of Rajputs in the 9th century, alliance with the
Mughals in the 16th century
|
Modern Age
|
British Sovereignty, merged with the Indian state to
constitute the modern state of Rajasthan
|
Ruling Dynasties
|
Magadha, Kushanas, Guptas, Mauryas, Kacchwahas, Sisodias,
Rathores, Pratiharas, Bhatis, Chauhans
|
Many of the former rulers of Rajasthan continue to use
the title of maharaja for social purposes. The only power this title holds today
is as a status symbol. Since the privy purse abolition, the princes have had to
financially support themselves. Some hastily sold valuable heirlooms and properties
for literally nothing, in a desperate attempt to pay bills. While a handful of princes
squandered their family fortunes, others refused to surrender their heritage, and
turned their hands to business, politics or other vocations. Many decided to convert
their palaces into hotels as a means of earning income. Some of these palace-hotels
have become prime tourist destinations in India, such as the Lake Palace Hotel in
Udaipur, the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur and the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. The
revenue earned from such hotels has enabled the maharajas to maintain their properties,
sustain time-honored family traditions and continue to lead a comfortable lifestyle.
Climate Of Rajasthan
The climate of Rajasthan
varies with the seasons of the year. There are fours seasons in Rajasthan – summer,
monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. In summer the weather of Rajasthan is very hot
and in winter very chilly.
Summer
–
April to June
Monsoon
–
Late June to September
Post-monsoon
–
October to November
Winter
–
December to March