Author: A Compilation
Publisher: Centre for Cultural Resources and Training
Year: 2000
Language: multilingual
Pages: N/A
ISBN/UPC (if available): CCRT/CPXXXIII
Description
Rajasthan situated in the western region of India is the cradle of distinctive Rajput culture and traditions. From the 7th to 9th century A D, the history of Rajasthan witnessed the rise and fall of the Rajputs. This set contains 24 illustrated pictures and a booklet portraying the most imposing and magnificent forts and palaces of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan, situated in the western region of India has a diversity of geophysical features which add to the richness and variety of its cultural expressions. It has the Aravalli range of mountains, forested valleys, lakes, wild life sanctuaries and the desert sand-dunes. Lying in the northwest of India, the boundaries of Rajasthan, touch Pakistan and Punjab and its history dates back to ancient times. Kalibangan, an Indus civilization site in northern Bikaner, was an important walled city of the Harappan period. Above all, Rajasthan (which means the Land of Kings) is the cradle of distinctive Rajput culture and traditions.
From the seventh century A D to nineteenth century A D, the history of Rajasthan witnessed the rise and fall of the Rajputs. The songs of Kings trace their descent from the lineage of the sun and the moon and belong to kshatriya-the warrior caste. The Rathors of Bikaner and Jodhpur, Gahlots and Sisodias of Udaipur and the Kachhawahas of Jaipur are Suryavanshis, clans claiming descent from Lord Rama. The Bhattis of Jaisalmer claimed to be Chandravanshis, of lunar descent. It is said that the Chauhans, Solankis, Paramaras and the Deoras emerged from the sacred firepit or Agnikunda on the summit of the holy Mount Abu.
Although there were a number of States in the present day Rajasthan, the three most prominent were Mewar (Chittorgarh and Udaipur, Amber (Jaipur) and Marwar (Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner). Time and again, Rajput strongholds such as Chittor, Mewar, Ranthambor, Marwar and many other s were attacked by Muslim armies. Mahmud Ghazni in the eleventh century A D and Mohammad Ghori at the end of the twelfth century A D attacked the state of Rajputana followed by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak who besieged Ajmer.
Alaud-Din-Khalji in fourteenth century A D captured the Fort of Ranthambor and Chittor. In sixteenth century A D, the battle of Khanwa was fought between the Mughal Emperor, Babur and Sisodia chief, Rana Sanga, which ended in a Rajput defeat. Shortly after, Babur’s grandson, Akbar established supremacy over both Marwar and Mewar and married a Rajput princess of the Kachhawaha clan, which ruled over amber region.
Contents
Mewar
Amber
Marwar
Bharatpur and Deeg