Other attractions of Rajasthan

Territorially the largest state of the Indian Union and a vibrant and colourful tourism mecca, last year Rajasthan attracted 17.5 million tourists including 1.5 million international visitors to the ‘Land of Kings’. If there were a prize for the most vibrant and colourful tourist destination of India, it would go to the desert state of Rajasthan (pop. 78 million), sited in the west, north of Gujarat, bordering Pakistan. Last year Rajasthan attracted over 17.5 million tourists including 1.5 million international visitors. Territorially the largest state of the Indian Union, Rajasthan (343,000 sq. km) incorporates the Aravalli Hills and Thar Desert. Literally the ‘Land of Kings’, Rajasthan was formerly known as Rajputana and encompassed 18 princedoms, two principalities ruled by chieftains and the small British-administered province of Ajmer-Merwara. After independence in 1947 the princedoms and principalities were integrated into the Indian Union under the umbrella name of Rajasthan. The state assumed its present form on November 1, 1956, when the States Reorganisation Act came into force. The history of Rajasthan is resplendent with legends of romance, betrayal, honour and chivalry and monuments associated with the 1,000-year reign of Rajput dynasties. Between the 7th and 11th centuries the entire region was ruled by successive Rajput dynasties, the most famous of them being the Gurjara-Pratihara. Under Bhoja I (836-885 AD), the territory of the Gurjara-Pratiharas stretched from the foothills of the Himalayas to the Narmada river and from the lower Ganges Valley to Sindh. But towards the late 10th century the empire slowly disintegrated as several rival Rajput clans carved out princedoms for themselves. The next four centuries saw repeated, though unsuccessful, attempts by the Delhi moghuls to defeat Rajput states. Rajput ascendancy reached its zenith in the beginning of the 16th century under Rana Sangram Singh (Sanga) of Mewar, but he was defeated in the first Battle of Panipat (1526) by the Mughal invader Babur. Later towards the end of the 16th century the Mughal emperor Akbar established a cordial relationship with Rajput kings by entering into matrimonial alliances with several Rajput dynasties. These Mughal-Rajput marriages continued until the early 18th century, and it is noteworthy that the emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan were both born of Rajput mothers. In the 19th century following the imposition of British rule, the boundaries of Rajput states were redrawn to form Rajputana province which later became Rajasthan in post-independence India. Rajput princes were allowed to retain their titles, some special privileges, and privy purses by the newly independent government of India. However these privileges and privy purses were abolished in 1969 by prime minister Indira Gandhi. As a consequence several princes transformed into hoteliers by converting their dynastic palaces into luxury heritage hotels which are thronged by foreign tourists through the year. Best time to visit. Winter (November-March) is the best season for visitors. Getting there. The most exclusive (and expensive) way to experience the royal splendour of Rajasthan is by taking the seven-day package tour offered by the Palace on Wheels, a fully air-conditioned, 14-saloon…