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Introduction  History  Geographical boundaries  Rajasthan Districts and Map  Administrative units  Population and language  Economy  Ecology  Transport  Industries and Minerals  Tourism  Fairs and Festivals  Arts and Crafts of Rajasthan  Energy and Oil  Water and Irrigation system  Wildlife and National Parks  Forts in Rajasthan   Introduction   Rajasthan is one of the 26 states of the republic of India, is situated in the north western part of India. It covers 342,239 square kilometres (132,139 square miles) is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. Rajasthan lies between latitudes 23 degree 3' and 30 degree 12', north and longitudes 69 degree 30' and 78 degree 17', east. The southern part of Rajasthan is about 225 km from the Gulf of Kutch and about 400 km from the Arabian Sea.  Rajasthan is bounded by Pakistan in the west and north-west; by the State of Punjab in the north; by Haryana in the north-east; by Uttar Pradesh in the east, by Madhya Pradesh in the south-east and Gujarat in the south-west.   Rajasthan is the land of Thar Desert  ( 58%), surrounded by beautiful Aravalli hills Range, a land of  Forts, and a land of ancient civilization in the banks of disappeared Sarsawti river. Rajasthan is one of the beautiful states of India which attracts very large number of domestic and foreign tourists.  Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan is the capital of Rajasthan   History   History of Rajasthan has a rich and colorful history making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Rajasthan was once a part of the world's first and oldest Indus Valley Civilization. Rajasthan was earlier called Rajputana (state of Rajputs) after the ruling class of Rajputs. It has a glorious history like Bappa Rawal,  Gora - Badal,  Samrat Prithvi Raj Chauhan,  Maha Rana Pratap,   Veer Durga Dass Rathore, Amar Singh Rathore,  Rani Padmini,  Rao Shekhaji,  Meera Bai ,  Panna Dhai , Gogaji ,   Baba Ramdeoji (बाबा रामदेवजी)   and many more.   Geographical boundaries   The Northwestern thorn scrub forests lie in a band around Thar Desert between the desert and the   Aravalli hills Range in Rajasthan  This region receives less than 750 mm of rain in an average year, and summer temperatures can exceed 45º C in the summer months, and drop below freezing in the winter. The Godwar, Marwar, and Shekhawati regions lie in the thorn scrub forest zone, along with the city of Jodhpur. The Luni River and its tributaries are the major river system of Godwar and Marwar Regions, draining the western slopes of the Aravallis and emptying southwest into the great Rann of Kutch wetland in neighboring Gujarat. The Ghaggar River, which originates in Haryana, is an intermittent stream that disappears into the sands of the Thar Desert in the northern corner of the state. The Aravalli Range and the lands to the east and southeast of the range are generally more fertile and better watered.

World Heritage Sites status sought for 6 Rajasthan forts    Rajasthan news...        Mount Abu an oasis in the desert                The Thar Desert of Rajasthan   Septuagenarian turns sand dune ‘green’ with 27,000 trees   Agriculture News     Black bugs in   Wildlife Sanctuary Talchaper     Solar Energy in Rajasthan         Oil refinery in     Barmer (बाडमेर)

Rajasthan Districts and map         The map of Rajasthan district wise.   There are 32 districts in Rajasthan. The list of 32 districts of Rajasthan  are: 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.   Administrative units   There are 32 administrative units, Districts, in Rajasthan. Jaipur is the Capital of the State. At present The Congress  has been elected to power. The Governor of the state is S.K.Singh and chief minister is Ashok Gehlot. The High Court is situated at Jodhpur, with a bench at Jaipur.   The number of   Jila Parishad: 32 :  Tehsil: 241 ,   Panchayat Samities: 237,   Gramm Panchyat: 9188,  Municipalities: 183,   Number of Villages: 41,353,   Cities and Towns:  222    Major cities:are  Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Bikaner, Bhilwara, Alwar, Sri Ganganagar, Jaisalmer    State Assembly seats:  200,   Parliament Seats: 25 and   Rajya Sabha Seats: 10   Rajasthan Chief Minister : Ashok Gehlot,  Rajasthan Chief Minister for the second time  in the Assembly election 2008.  Shri Ashok Gehlot, born on May 3, 1951 in Jodhpur, is a leader of Indian National Congress party. He was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan from December 1, 1998 to December 8, 2003.                                               Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot           Rajasthan Governor Smt. Margaret Alwa

Population and language   According to the 2011 census, Rajasthan's population is 68,621,012.. About 70 per cent of these live in eastern and  south eastern regions of the State. Rajasthani Language (राजस्थानी भाषा) and Hindi are the predominant language spoken. The group of dialects spoken in Rajasthan is called Rajasthani. Business is conducted in Hindi and English. Literacy is 61 per cent. The prominent religions practised are Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and Sikhism.   Economy   Economy of Rajasthan is primarily agricultural and pastoral. Wheat, Bajara, Guar and Guar Gum, Moth, Mung and barley are cultivated in large areas, as are pulses, sugarcane, and oilseeds. Cotton and tobacco are cash crops. Rajasthan is among 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.   The Thar Desert of Rajasthan is emerging as energy hub of country dicovery of Oil and Gas in  Rajasthan .The journey towards change started when Cairn Energy PLC discovered the Mangala oilfield in Rajasthan in January 2004.   Ecology   Forest Area: 9.32% (of total state area)   State Tree -     Khejri (खेजडी)   State Flower -  Rohida   State Bird :     Godawan or Great Indian  Bustard    State Animal - Chinkara (an antelope)         The Aravalli hills Range in Rajasthan   Transport   Airports :  Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Bikaner    Roads (National Highway) network length in the stae is: 8798 Km.     Railways: All the major and small cities are connected by Railways network    Desert Ship Camel are used for goods transportation.    Industries and Minerals   Rajasthan is the mineral capital of India and produces  many important minerals.  Minerals found in Rajasthan are Jasper, Zinc, Fluorite, Gypsum, Marble, Asbestos, Soapstone, Lead, Phosphate rock, Ball clay, Calcite, Sandstone, Limestone, etc. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of polyster fibre in India. It is the second largest producer 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.   Tourism   Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is flourishing in Rajasthan. The palaces of Pink City Jaipur (भारत का गुलाबी नगर जयपुर), lakes of Udaipur and desert forts of Jaisalmer ( स्वर्ण नगरी जैसलमेर) , Chittor and Jodhpur are among the most preferred destination of many tourists, Indian and foreign. Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product. Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels. Tourism has increased employment in the hospitality.    Fairs and Festivals   Festivals of Rajasthan   are very colourful and unique. Rajasthan has a fair for every religious occasion, for every change of season and for every harvest. Rajasthan comes alive with exuberant folk dances, melodious music and spectacular festivities. The prominent festivals of Rajasthan are: Pushkar Fair, Camel Festival, Mewar Festival, Nagaur Fair, Kaila Devi Fair, Mahavir Ji Fair, Teej Festival, Summer Festival, Gogaji Fair, Kaliteej, Ramdevra Fair, Marwar Festival, Dusshera,  Chandrabhaga Fair, Kolyat Fair,  Gangoor Pujan ( गणगौर पूजन) etc.   Arts and Crafts of Rajasthan   As far as the field of Arts and Crafts is concerned, .Rajasthan is among the richest states in the country.  May be it was a result of the war-like lifestyle of the people of Rajasthan which sharpened the creative senses,artistic skills and inspired them to create the most opulent and richest of treasures. Stone, clay, leather, wood, ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver, gold and textiles were given the most brilliant forms. As, Jaipur meenakari is famed for its delicacy and its use of colours. Rajasthan is rich in jewellery, each area having its own unique style. Some of the traditional designs are rakhri, tirnaniyan, bala, bajuband, gajra, gokhru, jod, etc. The ivory bangles, Lac bangles, Sandalwood and Wood, Stone Statues on religious themes are carved all over Rajasthan and in several cities. Other crafts like blue pottery, hand block printing, tie and dye, terracotta sculptures, painting on camel hide, embroidery, cloth painting, carpets, durries, inlay work on brass and wood are to be found all over Rajasthan.   Energy and Oil   Oil and Gas: The Thar desert in its underbelly contains millions of tonnes of oil and natural gas and in a few years from now, the desert region is expected to witness a boom with a lot of economic activities taking place.   Oil and Gas in Rajasthan  being  produce up to 2,40,000 barrels per day from its prolific Rajasthan fields by Cairn India.    Atomic Power Plant: Tarapur Atomic  Power station units 1 and 2 were brought under the umbrella agreement of ISSA last year. India will place the Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant’s Units 3 and 4 in Rawatbhata under the India Specific Safeguards Agreement (ISSA) of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in accordance with the separation plan of Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.    “In 2010, the two units of Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPP) at Rawatbhata will be placed under ISSA and the process has already begun,” Nuclear Power Corporation Of India Limited (NPCIL) officials said. IAEA officials would visit the sites to make appropriate arrangements for monitoring and enabling units 3 and 4 to come under the nuclear watchdog’s safeguards, officials said.                           Solar Energy in Rajasthan                            Atomic Power Plant at Rawatbhata

Gangoor Pujan (गणगौर पूजन) in Rajasthan          Goddess Shitla puja in Rajasthan         State Tree is Khejri (खेजडी)           Bajra is the main crop         Migratory bird Kurja    Wildlife Sanctuary Talchaper       Desert Ship Camel          Arts and Crafts of Rajasthan      Migratory Birds  in    Keoladeo Ghana National Park         Jalmahal  Jaipur

Water and Irrigation system   Main River is Chambal river passes through state  966 Km.  The Chambal River (चम्बल) flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh  Numerous seasonal rivers arises amidst the ranges including, Banas River, Luni River, Sakhi, Sabarmati River.    Indira Gandhi canel  in Rajasthan is one of the biggest canal projects in India.The Canel  starts from the Harike Barrage  below the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers in Punjab. The Canel  runs some parts of Punjab and Haryana and runs  650 km  in Rajasthan.      Indira Gandhi canel Rajasthan   Wildlife and National Parks    The main wildlife sanctuaries and National parks in Rajasthan are    Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan)<    Wildlife Sanctuaries (Rajasthan)Talchaper   Ranthambore National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary   Sariska  Wildlife Sanctuary   Desert National Sanctuary

Leopard in National Parks     Tiger in Sariska Sanctuary

Forts in Rajasthan   The ancient Forts in Rajasthan  gives  a message of brave flooded life and a brave stormy death of Rajput kings like Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga. The emergence of the Rajput warrior clans in the 6th and 7th centuries played the greatest role in making the great forts of Rajasthan. Recently Five forts in Rajasthan have officially been nominated as Indian entries for the tag of World Heritage Site.   The forts Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron and Amber are all located on the Aravalli hills Range , which also happens to be one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. "All of them together tell a story about the way Rajput military architecture has evolved over time. It is almost a narrative which gives a lyrical history of Rajput culture and their interaction with Mughals and other neighbouring dynasties," said Shikha Jain, convener of the Haryana/ Rajasthan chapter of Intach, an organisation that seeks to preserve Indian art and cultural heritage.   The forts date back to between the 15th and 19th centuries. While Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore and Chittorgarh represent the architectural style of Hindu forts, Gagron and Amber represent a fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture.  In Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh especially, remains of the Mauryan era have been found. Amber represents the more evolved and mature form of Rajput architecture. Chittorgarh is also India's largest fort.   The five forts have been picked after an extensive study of forts all over India. Each represents a different era, different geographical area and different designs. Both Ranthambore and Kumbhalgarh are forest forts. One of the deference's of these forts is the thick vegetation surrounding them which practically hide their existence. While Gagron fort is much smaller, it stands out as an excellent example of using water as a defence. The fort is surrounded on all sides by water. It has been constructed on the junction of two rivers.   "Recently, a representative of Unesco inspected the five forts. Based on the report, Unesco will take a decision by June next year," Archeological Survey of India director-general Gautam Sengupta said.

Chittorgarh Fort       Amber Fort