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History of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is among the other 500-harappan sites discovered
till date, and marks the very existence of the ancient Indus valley
civilization. The third excavated city Kalibangan in North Rajasthan
was destroyed by earthquake. The dry bed of Ghaggar River was the
epicenter of the city of Kalibangan that narrates the history of
human settlement in Rajasthan, which dates back to 2500 BCE. Kalibangan
derived its name after the innumerable pieces of terracotta bangles
that were excavated here. Kalinbangan a prominent excavation site
in north Rajasthan is a sheer example of urban settlement and urban
prosperity attested by the excavated artifacts.
Rajasthan later became the illustrious part of the Mauryan
Empire around 321-184 BCE, and saw the rise and fall of many republic
powers. The reign of Gupta in 4th century bought along some Buddhist
caves and Stupas in southern Rajasthan. It was not until the decline
of 300-year-old Gupta Empire that the numerous chieftains took advantage
of the dwindling scenario to sketch their own interest.
It was not until the rise of Gujara Pratiharas in the 6th century
that stability was established in Rajasthan and since then Rajasthan
was identified as the Rajputana or the land of Rajputs (son of
a king). Soon other ruling clans like the Pratiharas, and Chalukayas
found their independent kingdoms. Eventually Rajputs were divided
in 36 royal clans and 21 dynasties.
It is believed that the four prominent Rajput clans- Chauhans
or the Chaulukyas, the Paramaras, Pratiharas and Chahamanas rose
from the sacrificial fire pit near Mt. Abu in Rajasthan. The story
states that the rishi Vasishtha had a Kamadhenu, a cow that grants
all one’s wishes, which was stolen by another sage, Vishvamitra.
Vasishtha therefore made an offering to the sacrificial fire at
Mt. Abu whereupon a hero sprang out of the fire then brought the
cow back to Vasishtha and were bestowed by the title Paramaras
by the rishi. The other clans had variations on this story. Consequently
these four were said to be of the Agnikula or descended from the
fire. The Rajputana states together incorporated the Rajput Kingdom,
along with the Jats and the Muslim Kingdoms.
The medieval period saw the rise of the brave Rajput Prithvi
Raj Chauhan who battled against the foreign invader Muhammad Ghori
for 16 times until a traitor from the Chauhan’s court betrayed
the Chauhan and helped Ghori to defeat Prithvi Raj Chauhan the
seventeenth time. After the defeat of Chauhans, the Muslims were
easily able to establish their rule in India by 1200 AD.
The Rajputs resisted foreign invasion for 300 years until surrendering
to the Muslim rule. Later during the Akbar reign matrimonial alliances
between the Rajputs and Mughals were arranged. It was not just
matrimonial alliances but also a political and economic compromise
made on the Rajputs end.
Soon Mughal were able to maintain cordial relation with the Rajputs
and were appointed at high ranks under Mughal Mansabdari System.
However there were some Rajputs who never accepted the Mughal
sovereignty. Among them was the Raja Uday Singh of Mewar who founded
the city of Udaipur. After the death of Raja Udai Singh , his
son Rana Pratap Singh continued his struggle against the Mughals,
although he had to elope in jungles for12 years, Rana Pratap Singh
never ceded his indepenence to the Mughal ruler.
Rajasthan besides being the land of political upheavals was also
the land of a traditional sacrifice of “jauhar” practiced
by the Rajput women to protect here chastity and self respect
jumped together in fire pyres when the Mughals defeated the Rajput
rulers and were on the verge to conquer the main fort.
The former rulers of Rajasthan made a huge contribution to the
rich cultural and architectural heritage that could be seen in
form of the massive forts and paces and equally flourishing art
and craft of Rajasthan.
The modern era saw the decline of the Mughal rule , coming up
of the Maratha Peshwa in Rajasthan and later various treaties
being signed between the British and the Rajput rulers accepting
the sovereignty of East India Company.the post independent Rajasthan
too went through several stages to consolidate the Rajputana states
together under the Republic of India, making it the biggest Indian
state, Rajasthan has a flourishing culture that narrates the lore
of the bygone times to the people who visit the land of the great
Rajputs.
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