Rajasthan is a state in the northwestern part of India. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. The state shares an international border with Pakistan to the west and northwest, and is bordered by the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Its capital is Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City.
Key facts
| Capital | Jaipur |
|---|---|
| Largest city | Jaipur |
| Region | Northwestern India |
| Date of formation | 1 November 1956 |
| Official language | Hindi |
| Additional language | English |
| Area rank in India | 1st |
| Major physical feature | Thar Desert (Great Indian Desert) |
| Major mountain range | Aravalli Range |
| Highest point | Guru Shikhar, Mount Abu |
| Legislature | Unicameral (Vidhan Sabha) |
| High Court | Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur |
Geography
Rajasthan covers an area of about 342,239 square kilometres. The state is geographically divided by the Aravalli Range, one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world, which runs in a roughly southwest to northeast direction. To the west and northwest of the Aravallis lies the arid Thar Desert, while the southeastern part of the state contains more fertile plains and plateaus. The highest point in the state is Guru Shikhar in the Mount Abu region.
Major rivers include the Chambal, Banas, Luni and the Mahi. The Luni is notable as the principal river of the desert region, draining into the Rann of Kutch. The Indira Gandhi Canal carries water from the Sutlej–Beas system into northwestern Rajasthan, supporting agriculture in otherwise arid districts such as Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bikaner.
History
The region historically known as Rajputana was, until Indian independence, a collection of princely states ruled largely by Rajput dynasties, including the Sisodias of Mewar, the Kachhwahas of Amber and Jaipur, the Rathores of Marwar (Jodhpur) and Bikaner, and the Hadas of Bundi and Kota. The area also includes the historic regions of Mewar, Marwar, Shekhawati, Hadoti, Mewat, Vagad and Dhundhar.
After 1947, the princely states were progressively merged with the Union of India in several stages between 1948 and 1949, forming the United State of Rajasthan. The state assumed its present boundaries with the reorganisation of states on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act.
Administration
Rajasthan is administered through a parliamentary system, with a Governor as the constitutional head and a Chief Minister leading the elected government. The state legislature is unicameral. Administratively, Rajasthan is divided into divisions and districts, each headed by a District Collector.
Economy
The economy of Rajasthan combines agriculture, mining, tourism, handicrafts and growing industrial and services sectors. The state is a leading producer of minerals such as marble, sandstone, zinc, lead, copper, gypsum and rock phosphate. Cement manufacturing is significant in the Chittorgarh and Sirohi belts. Bajra, wheat, mustard, gram, barley and pulses are major crops, while the desert districts support extensive livestock rearing.
Tourism is a major contributor to the state economy, anchored by historic forts, palaces, lakes and desert landscapes. Six hill forts of Rajasthan—Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Amber, Jaisalmer and Gagron—are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the walled city of Jaipur is also a World Heritage Site. The Keoladeo National Park at Bharatpur is another World Heritage property.
Culture
Rajasthani culture is known for its distinctive architecture, miniature painting traditions (Mewar, Bundi, Kishangarh and Jaipur schools), folk music and dance forms such as Ghoomar, Kalbeliya and Bhavai, and a rich textile and craft heritage. Bandhani tie-dye, block printing (Sanganer and Bagru), leheriya, blue pottery, meenakari, kundan jewellery and miniature paintings are widely associated with the state. Major fairs and festivals include the Pushkar Fair, the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, Teej, Gangaur and the Urs at Ajmer Sharif.
Design and craft education has a notable presence in the state, with institutions such as ARCH Academy of Design and the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design located in Jaipur.
Education
Rajasthan hosts a wide range of universities and institutes, including the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur, Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur, the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur, the Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, the Indian Institute of Management Udaipur, the National Law University Jodhpur and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. Kota has emerged as a prominent centre for coaching aspirants of engineering and medical entrance examinations.
Major cities
- Jaipur – capital and largest city
- Jodhpur – Blue City, gateway to the Thar
- Udaipur – City of Lakes
- Jaisalmer – Golden City
- Bikaner
- Ajmer
- Kota
- Bharatpur
- Mount Abu