History of Rajasthan
Rajasthan Tour Travel > Culture
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 circa 2,500 - 4,000 B.C.
traces of a civilization - the Indus Valley civization - at his height,
ruins and remains found mainly in the North West areas of Rajasthan
circa 500 B.C.
birth of Mahavir - great exponent of Jainism.
Jainism, because of its anti-brahminical leanings gets the support of
those in the business community. It also gets a powerful backing from
ruling dynasties. Evidence of this religion is seen all over Rajasthan,
particularly in Mount Abu, Pushkar, Osian etc. and is still a widely practiced
religion all over India today.
6th & 7th centuries A.D.:
Formation of Rajput warrior clans
11th century:
Clans establish themselves as royal dynasties, conflicting with Muslim invaders
who come in from the north west.
15th century:
Vasco De Gama discovers a new sea route to Western India, the old land
route through Jaisalmer is soon to disappear, with the Portugese, and later
the British trading through newly estabilished sea ports.
Mid-16th century:
After a few bloody skirmishes, there is a clever move by Mughal emperor Akbar,
who has an alliance with Rajput rulers and invites them and their armies to
join the Mughal army. In return, the Rajputs are guaranteed posession of their
ancestral land, and are allowed to retain their customs and beliefs. Often there
arranged marriages between Rajput princesses & Mughal royals. Mughal (Islamic)
culture influences the arts & architecture in Rajasthan.
18th century:
Too many maharajas, a profusion of wealth, and greed for more wealth, leads
to internal confusion among the Rajput royal families. To top it all, the fierce
Marathas from the Deccan plateau starting attacking the Rajputs.
Through all this, the erudite Maharaja Jai Singh founds the new capital of
Jaipur, builds the incredible Jantar Mantar observatory.
mid-19th century:
the Rajput states, 19 in all, sign treaties of friendship with the British (who
know a good thing coming when they see one), and are now called 'Rajputana'.
1947:
Year of India's Independence, after which the 19 States are merged and formed
into a single unit called 'Rajasthan".
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