Rajasthan
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Area |
3,42,239 sq km |
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State
Government Portal |
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Population |
56,473,122 |
|
Open Forum Partners
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Capital |
Jaipur |
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Important Contact Numbers |
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Principal
Languages |
Hindi and Rajasthani |
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Development Initiatives |
History
and Geography
Rajasthan, the largest State in India in terms
of area, prior to independence, was known as
Rajputana or the home of Rajputs—a martial
community who ruled over this area for centuries.
The history of Rajasthan dates back to the
pre-historic times. Around 3,000 and 1,000 BC,
it had a culture akin to that of the Indus Valley
Civilisation. It was the Chauhans who dominated
Rajput affairs from seventh century and by 12th
century, they had become an imperial power.
After the Chauhans, it was the Guhilots of Mewar
who controlled the destiny of the warring tribes.
Besides Mewar, the other historically prominent
states were Marwar, Jaipur, Bundi, Kota, Bharatpur
and Alwar, while the other states were only
offshoots of these. All these states accepted
the British Treaty of Subordinate Alliance in
1818, protecting the interest of the princes.
This naturally left the people discontented.
After the revolt of 1857, the people united
themselves under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi
to contribute to the freedom movement. With
the introduction of provincial autonomy in1935
in British India, agitation for civil liberties
and political rights became stronger in Rajasthan.
The process of uniting the scattered states
commenced from 1948 to 1956, when the States
Reorganisation Act was promulgated. First came
Matsya Union (1948), consisting of a fraction
of states. Slowly and gradually, other states
merged with this Union. By 1949, major states
like Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaislmer joined
this Union, making it the United State of Greater
Rajasthan. Ultimately in 1958, the present state
of Rajasthan formally came into being, with
Ajmer state, the Abu Road Taluka, and Sunel
Tappa joining it.
The entire western flank of the state borders
with Pakistan, while Punjab, Haryana, Uttar
Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh bind Rajasthan in
north, north-east, south-east and Gujarat in
south-west.
Agriculture
Total cultivable area in the State is 210.62
lakh hectares (2005-2006). The estimated food
grain production is 118.26 lakh tonnes. Principal
crops cultivated in the State are rice, barley,
jowar, millet, maize ,gram, wheat, oilseeds,
pulses, cotton and tobacco. Cultivation of vegetable
and citrus fruits such as orange and malta has
also picked up over last few years. Other crops
are red chillies, mustard, cumin seeds, methi
and hing.
Industry and Minerals
Endowed with a rich culture, Rajasthan is also
rich in minerals and is fast emerging on the
industrial scenario of the country. Some of
the important Central undertakings are Zinc
Smelter Plant at Devari (Udaipur), Copper Plant
at Khetri Nagar (Jhunjhunu) and Precision Instrument
Factory at Kota. Major industries are textiles
and woollens, sugar, cement, glass, sodium plants,
oxygen, vegetable dyes, pesticides, zinc, fertilizers,
railway wagons, ball bearings, water and electricity
metres, sulphuric acid, television sets, synthetic
yarn and insulating bricks. Besides precious
and semi-precious stones, caustic soda, calcium
carbide, nylon and tyres, etc., are other important
industrial units.
Rajasthan has rich deposits of zinc concentrates,
emerald, garnet, gypsum, silver ore, asbestos,
felspar and mica. The State also abounds in
salt, rock phosphate, marble and red stone deposits.
The first Export Promotion Industrial Park of
the country has been established and made operational
at Sitapura (Jaipur).
Irrigation and Power
By the end of March 2005 irrigation potential
of 32.07 lakh hectares was created in the state
through various major, medium and minor irrigation
projects. during the year 2005-06 and additional
irrigation potential of 69,673 hectares ( excluding
IGNP & CAD)has been created upto December
2005. The installes power capacity in the State
has become 5385Mw upto March 2006 of which 2885
Mw is produced from State own projects, 973
Mw from collaboration project and 1527 Mw from
the allocation from Central power generating
stations.
Transport
Roads: The total length of roads in the State
is around 1,58,250 km.
Railways: Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kota, Sawai
Madhopur and Bharatpur are some of the main
railway junctions.
Aviation: Regular air services connect Jaipur,
Jodhpur and Udaipur with Delhi and Mumbai.
Festivals
Rajasthan is a land of festivals and fairs.
Besides the national festivals of Holi, Deepawali,
Vijayadashmi, Christmas, etc. birth anniversaries
of Gods and Goddesses, saintly figures, folk
heroes and heroines are celebrated. Important
fairs are Teej, Gangaur (Jaipur), annual Urs
of Ajmer Sherif and Galiakot, tribal Kumbh of
Beneshwar (Dungarpur), Mahaveer fair at Shri
Mahavirji in Swai Madhopur, Ramdeora (Jaisalmer),
Janbheshwari Fair (Mukam-Bikaner), Kartik Poornima
and Cattle Fair (Pushkar-Ajmer) and Shyamji
Fair (Sikar), etc.
Tourist Centres
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Mount Abu,
Sariska Tiger Sanctuary in Alwar, Keoladeo National
Park at Bharatpur, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Pali and
Chittorgarh are important places of tourist
interest in the state.
