Rajasthan Day: Date, History, Geography, Significance & Facts

Rajasthan Foundation Day: The state is popularly known as the “Land of Kings” or “Land of Kingdoms” and is the largest state by area in India. On the foundation day of Rajasthan, take a look at its history, geography, art and culture, the significance of the day, quotes, etc.

Rajasthan Diwas: March 30 is celebrated across the state to mark the formation of the state of Rajasthan. On this day in 1949, the four states, namely Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer, joined with the United State of Rajasthan, and the region came to be known as Greater Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Foundation Day: Date

Formerly, Rajasthan was known as Rajputana, which means “The Country of the Rajputs“. The meaning of Rajasthan is “The Abode of the Rajas“. It is located in the northwest part of the country and is the home of cultural diversity. The state’s features include Indus Valley Civilization ruins, temples, forts, and fortresses in almost every city. It is divided into nine regions, namely: Ajmer State, Hadoti, Dhundhar, Gorwar, Shekhawati, Mewar, Marwar, Vagad, and Mewat. They are equally rich in their heritage and artistic contribution.

Keoladeo National Park is a world heritage site near Bharatpur that is known for its bird life. The state also has two national tiger reserves, namely Ranthambore National Park at Sawai Madhopur and Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar. Take a look at Rajasthan Diwas; why is it observed on March 30th? Its history, geography, the significance of the day, quotes, etc.

History:

The history of Rajasthan goes back about 5000 years. It can be classified into three parts: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.

Ancient Period, up to 1200 AD

The clans of Rajput emerged and held their sway in various parts of Rajasthan from about 700 AD. Before that, it was part of various republics. It was part of the Mauryan Empire. At that time, other major republics that dominated the region were the Malavas, Arjunyas, Yaudhyas, Kushans, Saka Satraps, Guptas, and Hunas. The Rajput clans ascendancy in the history of India was during the period from the eighth to the twelfth century AD. The Pratiharas ruled most of northern India during 750–1000 AD and also Rajasthan. Rajasthan also witnessed the struggle for supremacy between 1000 and 1250 AD with the Chalukyas, Parmars, and Chauhans.

Medieval Period, 1201–1707

A part of Rajasthan came under Muslim rulers around 1200 AD. The main centers of their power were Nagaur and Ajmer. Ranthambore was also under their control. At the start of the 13th century AD, the most prominent and powerful state in Rajasthan was Mewar.

Modern Period, 1707–1947

Rajasthan is said to have never been politically united under the dominion or rule of a Mughal emperor named Akbar. The unified province of Rajasthan was created by Akbar. After 1707, Mughal power started to decline. The reason behind the political disintegration was the dismemberment of the Mughal Empire. After the decline of the Mughal empire, the Marathas penetrated Rajasthan. They occupied Ajmer in 1755. And the start of the 19th century was marked by the onslaught of the Pindaris.

Why is Rajasthan Foundation Day observed on March 30th?

On March 30th, 1949, the state was formed when Rajputana’s name, as adopted by the British Crown, was merged into the Dominion of India. Jaipur, being the largest city, was declared the capital of the state.

On this day in 1949, the four states, namely Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer, joined with the United State of Rajasthan, and the region came to be known as Greater Rajasthan.

The seven stages of the formation of Rajasthan (1948–1956) are as follows:

Name of Group	States	Date of Integration
Matsya Union	Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli	17-03-1948
Rajasthan Union	Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kishangarh, Kota, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Tonk.	25-03-1948
United State of Rajasthan	Udaipur also joined with the other Union of Rajasthan.	18-04-1948
Greater Rajasthan	Bikaner, Jaipur, Jaisalmer & Jodhpur also joined with the United State of Rajasthan.	30-03-1949
United State of Greater Rajasthan	Matsya Union also merged with Greater Rajasthan	15-05-1949
United Rajasthan	18 States of United Rajasthan merged with Princely State Sirohi except for Abu and Delwara.	26-01-1950
Re-organised Rajasthan	Under the State Re-organisation Act, 1956 the erstwhile part ‘C’ State of Ajmer, Abu Road Taluka, the 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

Source: rajassembly.nic

Rajasthan has preserved tales of bravery, the natural world, and the ancestors within its boundaries. Indus Valley civilization ruins can be found at Kalibangan and Balathal, the Dilwara Temples are a Jain pilgrimage site located in Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, in the historic Aravalli mountain range, and eastern Rajasthan is the Keoladeo National Park of Bharatpur, a World Heritage Site known for its bird life. Three national tiger reserves are also located in Rajasthan: the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve near Kota, the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur.

Greeting Cards:

Twenty Important facts about the Rajasthan

Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area (342,239 km²) which scattered in 10.4% of India’s total area. It is most famous for its cultural and natural beauty. It is a northern Indian state bordering Pakistan.

Rajasthan or the land of Kings is the best example of the old and new; the ancient and the modern cultural heritage. Its name truly justified with lavish forts and majestic palaces that are apt reminders of a rich, romantic past that speaks of heroism, honor and chivalry.

Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area (342,239 km² (132,139 sq mi) or 10.4% of India’s total area). It is located on the western side of the country, where it comprises most of the wide and inhospitable Thar Desert (also known as the “Rajasthan Desert” and “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. It is a northern Indian state bordering Pakistan.

Rajasthan: Fact File

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, Punjab), Rajasthani (Devanagari is a language of the Indo-Aryan languages family. Marwari, Maruwani
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
Members of  Lok Sabha	25
Legislature	Unicameral
Major Cities (by population)	Jaipur (3,073,349), Jodhpur(1,138,300),Kota (1,001,365), Bikaner (647,804), Ajmer (551,101), Udaipur (474,531), Bhilwara (360,009)
Lakes	Rajsamand Lake, Sambhar lake,Udai Sagar Lake, Nakki Lake, Kaylana Lake, Raj Bagh Talao, Malik Talao, Lake Fateh Sagar, Gadsisar Lake, Lake Pichola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar Lake, Raj Bagh Talao etc.
Average annual rainfall (mm)	313-675
The Thar Desert (desert districts)	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”.)
Economy  Size	US$ 128 billion), Agriculture based Economy
Literacy	66.11%
Districts	33
Sex Ratio (as per 2011 census)	928 per Thousand male
Child sex Ratio	888 (census 2011)
Principal 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, Nagaur Fair (Nagaur), Kaila Devi Fair (Karauli), Summer Festival(Mount Abu), Dussehra (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, Petroleum

Rajasthan has a very rich culture that is why it has attracted 50.24 million domestic tourists and 1.75 million foreign tourists in FY 2018.

Tourism has a very crucial role in the per capita income of the state. The Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) expanded at a rate of 11.19% (in rupee terms) to US$ 115.13 billion between 2011-12 and 2018-19.