Tourist Destination In
Rajasthan
So rich is the history of the
land that every roadside village
has its own tales of valour and
sacrifice for the telling.
However, for most visitors,
lengthy forays would be
difficult, though camel safaris
sometimes offer them the
opportunity to interact with
people who may have never
stepped out of their villages-
or seen rainfall. A quick
reference to the principal
settlements is provided
alphabetically below.
AJMER
A 7th century Chauhan
stronghold, Ajmer is a
pilgrimage centre for Muslims
though people from all religious
backgrounds come to pray at its
dargah. The British developed
Ajmer as an educational centre,
and Mayo College, once an
exclusive school for boys from
royal families, is now among the
country's best private schools.
ALWAR
Once known as Mewat, the Rajput
kingdom came under Muslim
domination during the 13th-18th
centuries with intermittent
attempts to win it back which,
Kachchawaha price succeeded in
doing in 1771. Alwar has some
beautiful lakeside palaces, not
all open to the public.
BARMER
A 13th century fortified town,
Barmer is in the heart of the
desert and is known for the
quality of its wood and stone
carvings. Earlier fortifications
reveal the far limits where the
Rajputs raised defense
out-posts.
BANSWARA
Ribbed with streams and covered
with dense forests, Banswara
lies off the conventional
tourist circuit. Artificial
lakes and dams, and the ruins of
ancient temples make this an
exciting place to discover.
BHARATPUR
The only Jat kingdom in the
state, the rock-hard mud
fortifications of its fort
proved invincible even under
repeated siege. The fort houses
early remnants of artifacts and
sculpture, while the modern
palace outside is a sprawling
structure. However, Bharatpur is
better known as a bird sanctuary
(Keoladeo Ghana National Park).
BIKANER
Founded by one of the scions of
the house of Jodhpur, Bikaner's
15th century history combines
adventure with enterprise. In
later centuries, as an ally of
the Mughals and the British, it
was able to develop as a modern
state, though its architectural
attractions remain splendidly
Rajput. One of the principal
outposts of the desert, its is
also a major centre for camel
breeding.
BUNDI
Nestled in a fold of the
Aravalli hills, Bundi bristles
with medieval enchantment. Its
fortifications house palaces and
apartments, artificial lakes and
water-side pavilions. Ruled by
the Hada Rajputs, Bundi is
renowned for its Rasleela
frescos.
CHITTAURGARH
The former capital of the
Sisodia rulers of Udaipur,
Chittaur perches atop the
scraggy spine of the Aravallis.
Sacked by Allaudin Khilji in the
14th century, by the sultans of
Gujarat in the 16th century, and
finally by the Mughal emperor
Akbar's forces, it was abandoned
by its rulers who vowed never to
return unless they could avenge
their defeat. The few remaining
palaces and towers are part of
its stirring history.
DEEG
The summer resort of the rulers
of Bharatpur, it is known for
its Jat architecture and for the
coloured fountains and pleasure
pavilions that are contained
within a fortified environment.
DUNGARPUR
A Bhil stronghold in the
foothills of the Aravallis, this
fertile region was created into
a state in the 13th century.
Since the natural protection
afforded it isolation, a highly
decorative style of architecture
developed.
JAIPUR
The Capital of the modern state
of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a modern
city built according to the
specifications laid down in
ancient architectural texts.
Known as the pink city on
account of the flush colour of
its sandstone palaces, it is a
major centre for handicrafts.
Its former capital, Amber,
consists of fortifications with
an interesting rang of highly
decorated public and private
apartments.
JAISALMER
The westernmost citadel of the
desert, Jaisalmer has an ancient
history linked with its
development as a trading centre.
Parts of its 'golden' fort
continue to be inhabited, and
its cobbled streets lead through
a journey of medieval
enchantment. Jaisalmer is
celebrated for the exquisite
stone-carved havelis or mansion
of the merchants who held the
reins of its destiny.
JHALAWAR
A 19th century offshoot of Kota,
its verdant land-scape is
unusual for a desert state. Its
fort functions as a government
office but the 9th century
Gagron Fort close by is one of
the most important citadels of
Rajput history.
JODHPUR
The 16th century capital of the
Rathore Rajputs, Jodhpur's
history is evident in the
hilltop eyrie, Mehrangarh, from
where its destiny was written.
Narrow paths wind up the steep
path, leading to the innards of
the fort. Once within, the
architecture is less formidable,
with delicate windows and
painted chambers. From its
ramparts one has a view of the
20th century artdeco Umaid
Bhawan Palace.
KOTA
One of few perennial rivers in
Rajasthan, the Chambal is
flanked by verdure and fertile
plains, Located on its
antecedents are as romantic as
any other Rajput kindom. This is
evident in its many palaces, and
the large fort with its fabulous
paintings known for their
hunting scenes.
KUMBHALGARH
Built in the 15th century by
Rana Kumbha of Chittaurgarh,
Kumbhalgarh is Rajasthan's
highest fort, and its most
formidable. If its air is rife
with medieval tales of intrigue
and treachery, it is because its
history is characterised by some
of the pivotal points that
characterised the Sisdia
dynasty.
MOUNT ABU
A summer retreat in the
Aravallis with a large lake and
several temples, it also doubles
as a pilgrimage centre with its
11th-13th century Dilwara Jain
temples known for the quality of
their sculpturing.
NAGAUR
Located between Bikaner and
Jodhpur, yet largely bypassed,
Nagaur serves as an important
link in the state's martial
history, and its fort has
frescos in the Mughal and Rajput
styles.
PUSHKAR
A pilgrimage centre with the
only temple in India dedicated
to Brahma, the Creator, Pushkar
is the venue of an annual camel
fair.
RANAKPUR
A 15th century group of temples
raised by Jain merchants, these
are characterised by the fine
quality of their carving.
RANTHAMBHOR
The fort of Ranthambhor has been
abandoned to nature for in this
national park, the tiger has
right of stay. One of the
country's finest tiger reserves,
its topography of low hills and
large lakes provides a tranquil
idyll.
SARISKA
A tiger reserve, Sariska is
densely wooded, making sightings
difficult, though the
picturesque park is also home to
deer, langurs and avifauna.
SHEKHAWATI
A region of small towns,
Shekhawati is primarly known for
its havelis or mansions richly
ornamented with frescos that,
over time, ranged from the
sacred to the secular, and from
the sublime to the ridiculous.
UDAIPUR
A lake city, and the capital of
the Ranas of Mewar, founded in
the 16th century, Udaipur is
known for its fairytale palaces
that nestle along the banks of a
lake, or completely cover
islands in its midst. The
Sisodia rulers of Chittaurgarh
who ruled here obviously had
more leisure to exercise their
taste than at Chittaur where
much of their time was spent at
war. |
