It gives us immense pleasure in presenting the Rajasthan Current Affairs Yearbook 2020, Useful for RPSC and all other competitive exams. This book deals with the relevant features and topics of Current affairs of State in a systematic and comprehensive manner by the use of simple and concise language for easy and quick understanding. We hope that the readers will find this book user friendly and helpful in preparation of their examinations. I look forwarded to have the views, comment, suggestions and criticism from readers which would definitely help in further improvement of the Book. I would like to heartfelt thanks to all my team members for their efforts to prepare this book. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
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Rajasthan Current Affairs Yearbook 2020
1. Introduction of Rajasthan
2. Current Affairs (Whole Year)
3. Practice Questions
Rajasthan Current Affairs/General Knowledge Yearbook 2020 has become an integral part of a lot of entrance exams being conducted at the graduate and under-graduate levels. It is very important for students to remain updated on the current happenings in their surroundings especially those that are important from the perspective of state. Current Affairs Yearbook 2020, a thoroughly revised, reorganised, updated and ENLARGED edition, presents a comprehensive study of all the sections that are covered under the subject of General Knowledge. The Yearbook 2020 provides the latest information & most authentic data reference material on Current Affairs and General Knowledge. It has specially been designed to cater to aspirants of various competitive exams like RPSC and Other Rajasthan State PSC exams across the state. The material has been written in a lucid language and prepared as per the requirements of the various competitive exams. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
Current Affairs consists of latest news/ information about Rajasthan based on The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, Yojana, People, Events, Ideas and Issues across the Social, Economic & Political climate of the State.
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Latest and Authentic information must for All Competitive Exams – The Mega Current Affairs Yearbook 2020 provides the latest information & most authentic data reference material on current Affairs and General Knowledge. It has specially been designed to cater to aspirants of various competitive exams like Civil services, RPSC and Other exams across the State. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
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Must Have for Multiple Reasons: The Current Affairs Mega Yearbook 2020 is a Must-Have book for all kinds of Objective & Descriptive Tests, Essay Writing and Group Discussions & Personal Interviews, The Rajasthan General Knowledge section provides crisp and to-the-point information in Geography, History, Polity, Economy, General Science, etc. which otherwise could be very exhaustive. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
Introduction Of Rajasthan
The Rajasthan state was earlier known as Rajputana came into existence on March 30, 1949.
Rajasthan, situated at the northwestern part of India is the biggest state in the country of India and lies between 23°30′ and 30° 11′ North latitude and 69° 29′ and 78° 17′ East longitude. The state shares its north-western and western boundary with the Indo-Pakistan international border that extends about 1,070 km and touches the major districts Barmer, Bikaner, Sriganganagar and Jaisalmer. It is bounded on the west and northwest by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by Haryana &Uttar Pradesh, on the south-southeast and southwest by Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat States respectively. The huge portion of the state of Rajasthan is desiccated and houses the biggest Indian desert- the Thar Desert known as the ‘Maru-kantar’. The oldest chain of fold mountains- the Aravali range splits the state into two geographical zones- desert at one side and forest belt on the other. Only 10% of the total geographical region lies under forest vegetation. The Mount abu is the only hill station of the state and houses the Guru Shikhar Peak that is the highest peak of the Aravali range with an elevation of 1,722 m. The area to the east of the hills is covered by the eastern plains and the Vindhyan plateau. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
The north-western state of Rajasthan is the largest Indian state with an area of 3, 42,239sq.km comprising of the 10.74% of the total geographical area of the country. This state has a type of rhomboid shape and stretches lengthwise 869 km. from west to east and 826 km. from north to south. The Tropic of Cancer passes through its south tip in its Banswara district.
The Aravalli ranges are India’s oldest fold mountains. The north end of the Aravalli range continues as secluded hills and rocky ridges into Haryana and ending in Delhi.
The Aravalli Range and the lands to the east and southeast of the range are generally more fertile and better watered. This region is home to the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests eco-region with tropical dry broadleaf forests that include teak, Acacia and other trees. The hilly Vagad region lies in southernmost Rajasthan on the border with Gujarat. With the exception of Mount Abu, Vagad is the wettest region in Rajasthan and the most heavily forested. North of Vagad lays the mewar region home to the cities of Udaipur and Chittaurgarh in Rajasthan. The Hadoti region lies to the southeast on the border with Madhya Pradesh. The dhundhar region is located in the north of Hadoti and mewar is also known as home to the state capital of Jaipur in Rajasthan. Mewat, the easternmost region of Rajasthan borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan is drained by the Banas and Chambal rivers, tributaries of the Ganges. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
The Aravalli outline most important divisions of Rajasthan. The Chambal River which is the only large and perennial river in the state originates from its drainage to the east of this range and flows northeast. Its principal tributary the Banas rises in the Aravali near Kumbhalgarh and collects all the drainage of the Mewar plateau. Farther in north the Banganga after rising near Jaipur in Rajasthan flow east-wards before disappearing. The Luni is the only significant river located in west of the Aravali. It rises in the Pushkar valley of Ajmer and flows 320 km west-southwest into the Rann of Kachchh. Northeast of the Luni basin in the Shekhawati tract, is an area of internal drainage characterized by salt lakes, the largest of which is Sambhar Salt Lake. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
Rajasthan has varying topographic features though a major part of the state is dominated by parched and dry region. The extensive topography includes rocky terrain, rolling sand dunes, wetlands and barren tracts of land filled with thorny scrubs, river-drained plains, plateaus, ravines and wooded regions.
Rajasthan has its important role in drainage system and some very useful rivers flow /originates through rajasthan. Chambal, Banas, Sabarmati, Mithari, Parbati, Berach, Saraswati, Jawai and Luni Rivers are important.
The soil and vegetation of Rajasthan alters with its wide-ranging topography of the state and the availability of water. The varied kind of soils available in Rajasthan are mostly sandy, saline, alkaline and chalky (calcareous). Clay, loamy, black lava soil and nitrogenous soils are also found. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
The seasonal vegetation such as a few grass species, shrubs and dwarf trees can be found owing to the limited rainfall. However food crops are grown in the plains that are drained by the rivers and streamlets owing to the alluvial and clay soil deposits. The hilly tracts of the Aravali are characterized by the black, lava soils that sustain the growth of cotton and sugarcane. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
The Thar Desert or the Great Indian Desert encompasses about 70% of total landmass of Rajasthan and hence it is identified as the “Desert State of India”. The Rajasthan desert which forms a major portion of the Thar Desert is the biggest desert in India and encompasses the districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur. In fact the Rajasthan desert comprises the desert triangle of three cities – Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur. Thar Desert extends from Sutlej River bounded by aravali ranges on the eastern part and on the southern part by the Great Rann of Kutch and on the western side by the Indus River. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
The desert becomes very hot during the summer and it experiences extreme climate with an average annual rainfall less than 25 cm. Days are hot and the nights are cold here. The Vegetation consists of thorny bushes, shrubs and xerophilious grass. Various species of lizards and snakes are found here. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
Rajasthan has varying climate like its varying topography. The weather and climate of the Rajasthan can be broadly classified into four distinct seasons. They are – Pre-monsoon, which is the hot season preceding the monsoon and extends from April to June, the Monsoon that occurs in the month of June in the eastern region and mid- July in the western arid regions. The Post-monsoon that commences from mid-September and continues till November and the winter that extends from December to March while January being the coldest month of the year. The average temperature in winter ranges from 8° to 28° C and in summer the average temperature range from 25° to 46° C. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
Different Regions of Rajasthan:
1. Ahirwal- This include some part of Haryana too along with Rajasthan. Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan, Mahendragarh and Gurgaon in Haryana are part of this region.
2. Bagar tract- This include regions of Fatehabad and Sirsa (Haryana); Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar (Rajasthan).
3. Dhundhar- “Jaipur region” include districts – Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk and northern part of Karauli.
4. Gorwar- South-western part of Rajasthan; having historical capitals- Nadol, Chandrawati and Sirohi. It covers region of Jalore, Sirohi and southern portion of Pali.
5. Hadoti- districts like Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar and Kota are part of this region.
6. Marwar- “Jodhpur region” includes district of Barmer, Jodhpur, Jalore, Nagaur and Pali.
7. Mewar- South- central region of Rajasthan: In this region the districts covered are- Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pirawa tehsil of Jhalawar (Rajasthan), Neemuch and Mandsaur of M.P. and some parts of Gujarat.
8. Mewat- In this region area covered is the Hathin tehsil and Nuh district of Haryana; Tijara, Kishangarh Bas, Ramgarh and Laxmangarh tehsil. Aravalli range in Alwar district, Pahari, Nagaur, Kaman tehsils in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan and some part of Mathura district of U.P. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
9. Shekhawati- district like Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Churu and a part of Nagaur and Jaipur.
10. Vagad- region in south-eastern Rajasthan. Boundaries roughly defined by districts of Dungarpur and Banswara. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
Rajasthan: Important Facts
| Area | 342,239 km2 (Biggest state of India in terms of land) |
| Population | 6.85 cr (2011 census) |
| Language | Official language (Hindi), Additional official language (English) and Rajasthani (Devanagari is a language of the Indo-Aryan languages family. |
| Climate | Rajasthan has a tropical desert climate. It is extremely cold from October to February while the scorching sun tortures the land from March to September. |
| Capital | Jaipur |
| Election Seats | 25 Seats in General Election (Lok Sabha) and 200 Seats in Legislative Assembley (Vidhan Sabha) Elections. |
| Legislature | Unicameral |
| Major Cities (population) | Jaipur (3,073,349), Jodhpur(1,138,300), Kota(1,001,365), Bikaner(647,804), Ajmer(551,101), Udaipur(474,531) and Bhilwara(360,009) |
| Famous Lakes | Rajsamand Lake, Sambhar lake, Udai Sagar Lake, Nakki Lake, Kaylana Lake, Raj Bagh Talao, Malik Talao, Lake Fateh Sagar, Gadsisar Lake, Lake Pichhola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar Lake, Raj Bagh Talao etc. |
| Average annual rainfall (mm) | 313-675 |
| The Thar Desert | Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur (The Thar desert or the Great Indian desert encompasses about 70% of total landmass of Rajasthan and hence it is identified as the “Desert State of India”.) |
| Literacy | 66.11 % |
| Districts | 33 |
| Sex Ratio (as per 2011 census) | 928 per Thousand male |
| Child sex Ratio | 888 (census 2011) |
| Famous Folk Dances | Bhavai Dance, Chari Dance, Drum Dance, Fire Dance, Gair Dance, Ghoomar Dance ( by Bhil tribe),Kachhi Ghodi dance, Kalbelia Dance(‘Sapera Dance or Snake Charmer),Kathak Dance, Kathputli Dance. |
| Fair and Festivals | Desert Festival-Jaisalmer, Nagaur Fair-Nagaur, Pushkar Fair- Pushkar, Summer Festival-Mt. Abu, Marwar Festival-Jodhpur, Camel Race Festival-Bikaner, Gangaur Festival-Jaipur, Teej Festival-Jaipur, Mewar Festival-Udaipur, Urs Festival-Ajmer, Kaila Devi Fair-Karauli, Summer Festival-Mount Abu, Dusshera –Kota |
| World Heritage Sites | The six forts — Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer, Ranthambhore (Sawai Madhopur), Gagaron (Jhalawar) and Amber (Jaipur) were recognised as serial World Heritage Sites in the 37th session of the world heritage committee (WHC) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia . |
| Principal Crops | Barley, Wheat, Gram, Pulses, Oil Seeds, Bajra, Pulses, Jowar, Maize, Ground Nuts, fruits and vegetables and spices.etc. |
| Principal Minerals | Wollastonite (100%), Jasper(100%), Zinc concentrate (99%), Fluorite(96%), Gypsum(93%),Marble(90%), Asbestos(89%), Calcite(70%), Phosphate rock(75%), Mica, Copper, Silver and Natural Gas & Petroleum |
District-wise Population-List (As per census – 2011)
| District | Population | Area (km2) | Po. Density | Sex-ratio |
| Jaipur | 66,26,178 | 11,143 | 595 | 910 |
| Jodhpur | 36,87,165 | 22,850 | 161 | 916 |
| Alwar | 36,74,179 | 8,380 | 438 | 895 |
| Nagaur | 33,07,743 | 17,718 | 187 | 950 |
| Udaipur | 30,68,420 | 11,724 | 262 | 958 |
| Sikar | 26,77,333 | 7,732 | 346 | 947 |
| Barmer | 26,03,751 | 28,387 | 92 | 902 |
| Ajmer | 25,83,052 | 8,481 | 305 | 951 |
| Bharatpur | 25,48,462 | 5,066 | 503 | 880 |
| Bhilwara | 24,08,523 | 10,455 | 230 | 973 |
| Bikaner | 23,63,937 | 30,239 | 78 | 905 |
| Jhunjhunun | 21,37,045 | 5,928 | 361 | 950 |
| Churu | 20,39,547 | 13,835 | 147 | 940 |
| Pali | 20,37,573 | 12,387 | 164 | 987 |
| Ganganagar | 19,69,168 | 10,978 | 179 | 887 |
| Kota | 19,51,014 | 5,217 | 374 | 911 |
| Jalore | 18,28,730 | 10,640 | 172 | 952 |
| Banswara | 17,97,485 | 4,522 | 397 | 980 |
| Hanumangarh | 17,74,692 | 9,656 | 184 | 906 |
| Dausa | 16,34,409 | 3,432 | 476 | 905 |
| Chittaurgarh | 15,44,338 | 7,822 | 197 | 972 |
| Karauli | 14,58,248 | 5,524 | 264 | 861 |
| Tonk | 14,21,326 | 7,194 | 198 | 952 |
| Jhalawar | 14,11,129 | 6,219 | 227 | 946 |
| Dungarpur | 13,88,552 | 3,770 | 368 | 994 |
| SawaiMadhopur | 13,35,551 | 4,498 | 297 | 897 |
| Baran | 12,22,755 | 6,992 | 175 | 929 |
| Dhaulpur | 12,06,516 | 3,033 | 398 | 846 |
| Rajsamand | 11,56,597 | 4,655 | 248 | 990 |
| Bundi | 11,10,906 | 5,776 | 192 | 925 |
| Sirohi | 10,36,346 | 5,136 | 202 | 940 |
| Pratapgarh | 8,67,848 | 4,449 | 195 | 983 |
| Jaisalmer | 6,69,919 | 38,401 | 17 | 852 |
Political Background of Rajasthan
The Human settlement record in Rajasthan state dates back to around 5000 years ago with sections of Rajasthan at the spirit of the Indus Valley Civilization. This area was earlier known as Gurjaratra, the area protected and ruled by the Gurjars. Later the name changed to Rajputana. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
George Thomas was the first in 1800, to term this region the Rajputana Agency. The historian John Keay in his book, India: A History stated that the Rajputana name was coined by the British but that the word achieved a retrospective authenticity: in an 1829 translation of Ferishta’s history of early Islamic India, John Briggs discarded the phrase “Indian princes”, as rendered in Dow’s earlier version, and substituted “Rajpoot princes”. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
James Tod was the first one to use the name Rajasthan. He mentioned it in his book Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan or the Central and Western Rajpoot States of India, prior to that the land was called as Rajputana by the Britishers in 1800. The place was never untied so there is no defined boundary of Rajputana. As there were more Rajput kings, this leads to the name Rajputana.
We actually do not have any other name of Rajasthan prior to Rajputana as first mentioned that they were never united and once the Britishers started ruling India they gave it a name Rajputana.
In ancient period west of western Rajasthan was called Maru. Central Rajasthan was Shakambhari, SE Rajasthan was under Malwa state and a whole it was in “Aryavarta“. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
The unification of Rajasthan was completed in seven stages, and resulted in Rajasthan as we see it today.
The credit for the unification goes to the ‘Iron man of India’, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
What is unification?
The act, process, or result of bringing or coming together into or as if into a single unit or group unification of a divided state or nation.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is not only known for the unification of rajasthan but he united India by merging different princely states. He keeps forming unions, by luring the Princes of different states for the post of head of United States.
The ruler of largest state was made the Head of State and then when a new state was merged with the union, the prince of that state was made the head.
To keep others in good gesture, new posts of Deputy Head, and Prime Minister were also introduced.
Integration of Rajasthan
Seven Stages of formation of Rajasthan
(1948-1956)
| S.No. | Name of Group | States | Date of Integration |
| 1. | Matsya Union | Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli | 17-03-1948 |
| 2. | Rajasthan Union | Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kishangarh, Kota, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Tonk. | 25-03-1948 |
| 3. | United State of Rajasthan | Udaipur also joined with the other Union of Rajasthan. | 18-04-1948 |
| 4. | Greater Rajasthan | Bikaner, Jaipur, Jaisalmer & Jodhpur also joined with the United State of Rajasthan. | 30-03-1949 |
| 5. | United State of Greater Rajasthan | Matsya Union also merged in Greater Rajasthan | 15-05-1949 |
| 6. | United Rajasthan | 18 States of United Rajasthan merged with Princely State Sirohi except Abu and Delwara. | 26-01-1950 |
| 7. | Re-organised Rajasthan | Under the State Re-organisation Act, 1956 the erstwhile part ‘C’ State of Ajmer, Abu Road Taluka, former part of princely State Sirohi which was merged in former Bombay, State and Sunel Tappa region of the former Madhya Bharat merged with Rajasthan and Sironj subdistrict of Jhalawar district was transferred to Madhya Pradesh. | 01-11-1956 |
(1)17 March 1948: Formation of ‘Matsya Union’
The states of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli Joined to form the “Matsya Sangh” and Dholpur Ruler, Udaybhan Singh was chosen as the Union Head or Rajpramukh, along with Shobaram Kumawat from Alwar of Indian National Congress was the Prime Minister of the State from 18 March 1948 till 15 May 1949.
On 15 May 1949, the Matsya Union was merged with Greater Rajasthan to form the United State of Greater Rajasthan, which later became the state of Rajasthan on 26 January 1950.
(2) 25 March 1948: Constituting of Rajasthan Union
Separate from Matsya Sangh, the states of Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kota, Tonk, Pratapgarh, Kishangarh and Shahpura Joined to from another union known as Rajasthan Union.
Bhim Singh of Kota was chosen as the Head of the state, Kota being the largest of the unified states. Bhadursingh of Bundi was appointed as the Deputy Head.
(3) 18 April 1948: United States of Rajasthan
Subsequently the Udaipur state (Mewar) also got united in Rajasthan union on April 18, 1948. The name was then changed to United Rajasthan. The State of Udaipur was also made to join the union, by Sardar Patel, by giving the perks of the Head of State of new union and Udaipur was also made the capital of Union.
Three days after inauguration of Rajasthan Union, the Maharana of Udaipur decided to join this Union which was accepted. The Maharana of Udaipur was appointed as Rajpramukh and the Kota Naresh was appointed as Up- Rajpramukh of this Union and the Cabinet was formed under the leadership of Shri Manikya Lal Verma. This United States of Rajasthan was inaugurated by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on 18 April, 1948. Rajasthan GK Yearbook 2020
(4) 30 March 1949: Greater Rajasthan
The formation of the United States of Rajasthan paved the way for the merger of big states like Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur with the Union and formation of Greater Rajasthan. It was formally inaugurated on 30 March, 1949 by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. The Maharana Bhupal Singh of Udaipur was appointed as the Maha-Rajpramukh and the Kota Naresh was appointed as the Up- Rajpramukh and the Cabinet was formed under the leadership of Shri Hira Lala Shastri.
It was the most important step in Unification process, and that is why 30 March is also celebrated as the Rajasthan Day.
(5)15 May 1949: United States of Greater Rajasthan
On 15 May, 1949 Finally Matsya Union was merged with Greater Rajasthan. The post of Prime minister was discontinued and a Chief Minister office was constituted. Hiralal Shastri became the first Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
(6) 26 January 1950: United Rajasthan
18 states of United Rajasthan & princely state of Sirohi got merged with exception of Abu & Delwara. It was completed by 26 Jan 1950.
Sirohi was the last princely state to be merged into the union, and United Rajasthan came into being. The name of Rajasthan was given duly to the union.
(7) State Re-organization Act (1956)
This stage completed the integration, formation and reorganization of state of Rajasthan and took place because of State Re-organization Act of 1956. Under this, the erstwhile part ‘C’ State of Ajmer, Abu Road Taluka, former part of princely State Sirohi which was merged in former Bombay State and Sunel Tappa region of the former Madhya Bharat merged with Rajasthan and Sironj subdistrict of Jhalawar district was transferred to Madhya Pradesh. The process got completed on 1 November 1956 and Mohanlal Sukhadia became Chief Minister and Gurumukh Nihal Singh became Governor.
Some facts related to unification process of Rajasthan:
- The ruler of Jodhpur, Hanwant Singh, wanted to join the Union of Pakistan but due to the efforts of Patel and V.P. Menon, finally agreed to accede to India.
- Banswara State Maharawal, Chandra veer Singh, while signing the accession documents, commented, “I am signing on my death warrant“.
- Jodhpur was the largest state while Shahpura was the smallest in terms of area.
- Tonk was the only state under Muslim Ruler, while Bharatpur and Dholpur were under Jat Rajas, remaining was under Rajputs.
Rajasthan is a state in northern India. The state covers an area of 342,239 square kilometres (132,139 sq mi) or 10.4 percent of the total geographical area of India. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. Rajasthan is located on the northwestern side of India, where it comprises most of the wide and inhospitable Thar Desert (also known as the “Great Indian Desert”) and shares a border with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab to the northwest and Sindh to the west, along the Sutlej-Indus river valley. Elsewhere it is bordered by five other Indian states: Punjab to the north; Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the northeast; Madhya Pradesh to the southeast; and Gujarat to the southwest.
Major features include the ruins of the Indus Valley Civilisation at Kalibanga and Balathal, the Dilwara Temples, a Jain pilgrimage site at Rajasthan’s only hill station, Mount Abu, in the ancient Aravalli mountain range and in eastern Rajasthan, the Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, a World Heritage Site known for its bird life. Rajasthan is also home to three national tiger reserves, the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Mukundra Hill Tiger Reserve in Kota……………
The state was formed on 30 March 1949 when Rajputana – the name adopted by the British Raj for its dependencies in the region – was merged into the Dominion of India. Its capital and largest city is Jaipur. Other important cities are Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner, Ajmer and Udaipur. The economy of Rajasthan is the ninth-largest state economy in India with ₹9.24 lakh crore in gross domestic product and a per capita GDP of ₹108,000, Rajasthan ranks 22nd among Indian states in human development index.
Parts of what is now Rajasthan were partly part of the Vedic Civilisation and Indus Valley Civilization. Kalibangan, in Hanumangarh district, was a major provincial capital of the Indus Valley Civilization. Another archaeological excavation at Balathal site in Udaipur district shows a settlement contemporary with the Harrapan civilisation dating back to 3000 – 1500 BC.
Stone Age tools dating from 5,000 to 200,000 years were found in Bundi and Bhilwara districts of the state. Matsya Kingdom of the Vedic civilisation of India is said to roughly correspond to the former state of Jaipur in Rajasthan and included the whole of Alwar with portions of Bharatpur. The capital of Matsya was at Viratnagar (modern Bairat), which is said to have been named after its founder king Virata.
Bhargava identifies the two districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar and parts of Jaipur district along with Haryana districts of Mahendragarh and Rewari as part of Vedic state of Brahmavarta. Bhargava also locates the present day Sahibi River as the Vedic Drishadwati River, which along with Saraswati River formed the borders of the Vedic state of Brahmavarta. Manu and Bhrigu narrated the Manusmriti to a congregation of seers in this area only. Ashrams of Vedic seers Bhrigu and his son Chayvan Rishi, for whom Chyawanprash was formulated, were near Dhosi Hill part of which lies in Dhosi village of Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan and part lies in Mahendragarh district of Haryana.
The Western Kshatrapas (405–35 BC), the Saka rulers of the western part of India, were successors to the Indo-Scythians, and were contemporaneous with the Kushans, who ruled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. The Indo-Scythians invaded the area of Ujjain and established the Saka era (with their calendar), marking the beginning of the long-lived Saka Western Satraps state.
The Gurjar Pratihar Empire acted as a barrier for Arab invaders from the 8th to the 11th century. The chief accomplishment of the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire lies in its successful resistance to foreign invasions from the west, starting in the days of Junaid. Historian R. C. Majumdar says that this was openly acknowledged by the Arab writers. He further notes that historians of India have wondered at the slow progress of Muslim invaders in India, as compared with their rapid advance in other parts of the world. Now there seems little doubt that it was the power of the Gurjara Pratihara army that effectively barred the progress of the Arabs beyond the confines of Sindh, their only conquest for nearly 300 years.
Traditionally the Rajputs, Gurjars, Jats, Meenas, Bhils, Rajpurohit, Charans, Yadavas, Bishnois, Meghwals, Sermals, Rajput Malis and other tribes made a great contribution in building the state of Rajasthan. All these tribes suffered great difficulties in protecting their culture and the land. Millions of them were killed trying to protect their land. Brahmins, according to Outlook constituted 8% to 10% of the population of Rajasthan as per a 2003 report, but only 7% in a 2007 report. According to a 2007 DNA India report, 12.5% of the states are Brahmins.
Prithviraj Chauhan defeated the invading Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191. In 1192 CE, Muhammad Ghori decisively defeated Prithviraj at the Second Battle of Tarain. After the defeat of Chauhan in 1192 CE, a part of Rajasthan came under Muslim rulers. The principal centers of their powers were Nagaur and Ajmer. Ranthambhore was also under their suzerainty. At the beginning of the 13th century, the most prominent and powerful state of Rajasthan was Mewar. The Rajputs resisted the Muslim incursions into India, although a number of Rajput kingdoms eventually became subservient to the Delhi Sultanate.
The Rajputs put up resistance to the Islamic invasions with their warfare and chivalry for centuries. The Rana’s of Mewar led other kingdoms in its resistance to outside rule. Rana Hammir Singh defeated the Tughlaq dynasty and recovered a large portion of Rajasthan. The indomitable Rana Kumbha defeated the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat and made Mewar the most powerful Rajput Kingdom in India. The ambitious Rana Sanga united the various Rajput clans and fought against the foreign powers in India. Rana Sanga defeated the Afghan Lodi Empire of Delhi and crushed the Turkic Sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat. Rana Sanga then tried to create an Indian empire but was defeated by the first Mughal Emperor Babur at Khanua. The defeat was due to betrayal by the Tomar king Silhadi of Raisen. After Rana Sangas death there was no one who could check the rapid expansion of the Mughal Empire.
Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, the Hindu Emperor, was born in the village of Macheri in Alwar District in 1501. He won 22 battles against Afghans, from Punjab to Bengal including states of Ajmer and Alwar in Rajasthan, and defeated Akbar’s forces twice at Agra and Delhi in 1556 at Battle of Delhi before acceding to the throne of Delhi and establishing the “Hindu Raj” in North India, albeit for a short duration, from Purana Quila in Delhi. Hem Chandra was killed in the battlefield at Second Battle of Panipat fighting against Mughals on 5 November 1556.
During Akbar’s reign most of the Rajput kings accepted Mughal suzerainty, but the rulers of Mewar (Rana Udai Singh II) and Marwar (Rao Chandra sen Rathore) refused to have any form of alliance with the Mughals. To teach the Rajputs a lesson Akbar attacked Udai Singh and killed Rajput commander Jaimal of Chittor and the citizens of Mewar in large numbers. Akbar killed 20 – 25,000 unarmed citizens in Chittor on the grounds that they had actively helped in the resistance.
