Ancient History of Rajasthan

The history of Rajasthan dates back around 5000 years. The Bhil and the Mina tribes are said to be its original inhabitants and the first Aryan settlement was established here. Ancient History of Rajasthan or ancient rajasthan or Rajasthan ancient history complete study material for all competitive exams preparation.

Ancient History of Rajasthan for RPSC RAS/RTS and other exams

The recorded ancient history of Rajasthan dates back to 1200 AD. It was ruled over by the various dynasties including Mauryan Empire (321-184 BC) followed by the first Rajput dynasty during 700 AD. Rajput clans consolidated their rule (eighth – twelfth century AD) with 21 dynasties. So the region got named as Rajputana (the land of the Rajputs). Later period (1000-1200 AD) is marked by wars for supremacy among the Parmars, Chalukyas, and Chauhans rulers.

Stone Age tools dating from 5,000 to 2, 00,000 years were found in Bundi and Bhilwara districts of the state.

The ancient civilised history of Rajasthan goes back to 5,000 years ago when in the present day districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar, along with other areas of Jaipur district bordering south Haryana, which formed the part of Vedic state of Brahmavarta along with districts of Mahendragarh and Rewari in Haryana, that Vedic seers started composing Vedic scriptures, which form part of Sanatan Dharma, the base of present-day Hinduism. Revered Saraswati and Drishadwati rivers formed the then Brahmavarta state. Drishadwati River is identified as the Vedic Drishadwati by Bhargava. Parts of Rajasthan may have been occupied by the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappans).

Excavations at Kalibanga in northern Rajasthan around 1998 revealed the existence of human settlements of Harappan times on the banks of a river that dried up later, which some people believe to be the Saraswati, archaeologists hope the Saraswati will unlock mysteries of the past. Rajasthan’s geographic position in India has caused it to be affected by the expansionist efforts of various empires. It was a part of the Maurya Empire around 321-184 BCE.

The state of Rajasthan in India has a history dating thousands of years. It was the site of the Indus Valley Civilization. The early medieval period saw the rise many Rajput kingdoms like Chauhans of Ajmer, Guhilot and Sisodias of Mewar, Rathores of Marwar. Later the region came under suzerainty of the Mughal Empire. The Mughals granted high positions to Rajput rulers who allied with them. However, some Rajput kingdoms did not accept Mughal suzerainty and were constantly at war with them. The Mughal rule effectively ended in the 18th century, in Rajasthan and Maratha influence grew in the region.

In this medieval era (1200 AD), this region formed a part of Mughal Empire. Modern era starts with the British rule from 1817 to 15th August, 1947 when India became independent.