|
Rajasthan
Rajasthan Districts
Rajasthan has 32 districts: Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Baran,
Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Bundi, Chittorgarh,
Churu, Dausa, Dholpur, Dungarpur, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh,
Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur,
Karauli, Kota, Nagaur, Pali, Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur,
Sikar, Sirohi, Tonk, and Udaipur.
Rajasthan History
Rajasthan has a rich and colorful history making it one of
the most popular tourist destinations in India.
Rajasthan was earlier called Rajputana (state of Rajputs)
after the ruling class of Rajputs. Rajput which literally
means 'son of rulers'. Rajput clans rose to prominence in
the 6th century, establishing kingdoms in Rajasthan and
across northern India. The Rajputs resisted Muslim
incursions into India, although a number of Rajput states
became tributaries to the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal
Empire during those empires' peak of expansion.
As these empires weakened, the Rajputs reasserted their
independence. With the decline of the Mughal Empire in the
18th century, Rajputana become more and more independent.
The Rajput kings concluded treaties with the British in
the early 19th century, accepting British sovereignty.
Ajmer became a province of British India, while the
autonomous Rajput states and a few non-Rajput states (Tonk,
Bharatpur, and Dholpur) were organized into the Rajputana
Agency.
Rajasthan's independent kingdoms created a rich
architectural and cultural heritage, seen today in its
numerous forts, palaces and havelis, which are
complemented by exceptional examples of Muslim and Jain
architecture.
Rajasthan Economy
Rajasthan's gross state domestic product for 2004 is
estimated at $33 billion in current prices.
Agriculture
Rajasthan's economy is primarily agricultural and
pastoral. Wheat and barley are cultivated in large areas,
as are pulses, sugarcane, and oilseeds. Cotton and tobacco
are cash crops. Rajasthan is amomg the largest producer of
edible oils in India and the second largest producer of
oilseeds. Rajasthan is also the biggest wool-producing
state in India. There are mainly two crop seasons. The
main source of irrigation is wells and tanks. The Indira
Gandhi Canal irrigates north western Rajasthan.
Industries
Textiles - Rajasthan state is the second largest
producer of polyster fibre in India. Bhilwara district
produces more cloth than Bhiwandi in Maharashtra.
Minerals - Rajasthan is pre-eminent in quarrying
and mining in India. The state is the largest producer of
marbles and sandstone, the second largest of cement. It
has rich salt deposits at Sambhar and copper mines at
Khetri and Dariba. The white marble is mined at Makrana
near Jodhpur. |
