History Of Rajasthan (1947–present)

The history of human settlement in the west Indian state of Rajasthan dates back to about 5,000 years ago. This region was inhabited during great floods after the ice age as well. This area was known as Matsya kingdom. It was the site of the Indus Valley Civilization.
The early medieval period saw the rise of many Rajput kingdoms like Pratihars, Chauhans of Ajmer, Guhilot ( also known as Gohil ) and Sisodias of Mewar, Shekhawats of Shekhawati Sikar, Rathores of Marwar. And some Jat kingdoms of Sinsinwars of Bharatpur, Deswals, Bamraulias and Ranas of Dholpur, Godaras , Saharans, Punias, Johiya of Jangaldesh.

The Pratihar Empire acted as a barrier for Arab invaders from the 8th to the 11th century.it was the power of the Pratihara army that effectively barred the progress of the Arabs beyond the confines of Sindh, their only conquest for nearly 300 years.

After Matsya kingdom this area was known as Rajputana around the time when the Kachwaha migrated to the region. The Kachwahas continued to assist their Rajput allies in many Fatal battles including First Battle of Tarain and later in the disastrous Second Battle of Tarain. The last time where Kachwahas fought for Rajputs was under Rana Sanga of Chittor in the Battle of Khanwa.

Gohils and Sisodia of Chittor, who continue to resist Mughals against heavy odds and gave rise to Maharana Pratap who became a symbol of Rajput valour along with Rana Sanga and Prithviraj Chauhan. After Indian Independence in 1947, the various princely states of Rajasthan were integrated.

The British made several treaties with rulers of Rajasthan and also made allies out of local rulers, who were allowed to rule their princely states. This period was marked by famines and economic exploitation.

Periodization of Rajasthan history

;Pre-historic Period (Stone Age)
* Early Stone Age (c. 10,00,000 – 1,00,000 BCE)
* Middle Stone Age (c. 1,00,000 – 40,000 BCE)
* Later Stone Age (c. 40,000 – 5000 BCE)

;Proto-historic Period
* Copper Age (c. 5000 – 3500 BCE)
* Bronze Age (c. 3500 – 1500 BCE)

;Iron-Age
* Vedic Period (c. 1500 – 600 BCE)

;Ancient-Period

* Ancient Kingdoms of Rajasthan lasted from c. 700 BCE to 300 CE
* In this period Rajasthan was ruled by Kingdoms like Sivi, Salwa, Malava and others.
* These kingdoms also ruled under Maurya Empire & Kushan Empire (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE)

;Classical period
* Classical period of Rajasthan lasted from c. 300 to 650 CE
* Many Kingdoms of Rajasthan ruled independently under Gupta Empire & Pushyabhuti dynasty from (c. 300 – 650 CE)

;Rajput period
* Many Rajput & other Kingdoms (not only Rajput many others also) ruled in Rajasthan from (c. 650 – 1200 CE)

;Medieval-Period
* Struggle with Muslim Kingdoms from (c. 1200 – 1500 CE)

;Post-Medieval period
* Struggle with Mughals (c. 1500 – 1720 CE)and Maratha Empire (c. 1720–1817 CE)

;Modern period
* Rajputana was ruled by Princely States under British Empire (c. 1817 – 1948 CE)

;Post-independence period
* Unification of Rajasthan (c. 1948 – 1956 CE)

Ancient civilizations of Rajasthan

Indus Valley civilisation sites

Sindhu–Saraswati civilization, or the Indus Valley civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilisation in the northwestern regions of India, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE.

* Baror (Sri Ganganagar) and Karanpura ( Hanumangarh) are major Indus-Valley Civilization sites of Rajasthan.

Kalibangān (Hanumangarh)

Kalibangān is a town located in Tehsil Pilibangān in Hanumangarh district. It is also identified as being established in the triangle of land at the confluence of Drishadvati and Sarasvati RRiver. The prehistoric and Pre-Mauryan character of Indus Valley civilization was first identified by Luigi Tessitori at this site. Kalibangan's excavation report was published in its entirety in 2003 by the Archaeological Survey of India, 34 years after the completion of excavations.

The report concluded that Kalibangan was a major provincial capital of the Indus Valley Civilization. Kalibangan is distinguished by its unique "fire altars" and world's earliest attested "ploughed field".It is around 2900 BCE that the region of Kalibangan developed into what can be considered a planned city.

The Kalibangan pre-historic site was discovered by Luigi Pio Tessitori, an Italian Indologist (1887–1919). He was doing some research in ancient Indian texts and was surprised by the character of ruins in that area. He sought help from John Marshall of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The excavation unexpectedly brought to light a twofold sequence of cultures, of which the upper one (Kalibangan I) belongs to the Harappan, showing the characteristic grid layout of a metropolis and the lower one (Kalibangan II) was formerly called pre-Harappan but is now called "Early Harappan or antecedent Harappan". Other nearby sites belonging to IVC include Balu, Kunal, Banawali etc.

Ganeshwar (Sikar and Jhunjhunu)

Ganeshwar is located near the copper mines of the Sikar- Jhunjhunu area of the Khetri copper belt in Rajasthan. The Ganeshwar-Jodhpura culture has over 80 other sites currently identified.

The period was estimated to be 3000–2000 BCE. Historian Ratna Chandra Agrawala wrote that Ganeshwar was excavated in 1977. Excavations revealed copper objects including arrowheads, spearheads, fish hooks, bangles and chisels. With its microliths and other stone tools, Ganeshwar culture can be ascribed to the pre- Harappan period.

Ganeshwar saw three cultural phases:
* Period 1 (3800 BCE) which was characterized by hunting and gathering communities using chert tools
* Period II (2800 BCE) shows the beginnings of metal work in copper and fired clay pottery
* Period III (1800 BCE) featured a variety of pottery and copper goods being produced.

Matsya Kingdom (c. 1200–345 BCE)

Matsya Kingdom was one of the ''solasa'' (sixteen) Mahajanapadas (great kingdoms). Painted Grey Ware culture (PGW) chiefdoms in the region were succeeded by Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) from c. 700–500 BCE, associated with the rise of the great mahajanapada states (mahajanapada states Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena and Vatsa)

It was located in central India near Kuru. It was founded by Matsya Dwaita, a son of the great emperor Uparachira Vasu.

Geography

To the north of Central Matsya was Kuru. Kuru territories like Yakrilloma were located to the east. To its west was Salwa, and to its northwest was Mahothha. Nishada, Nishadha, and Kuru
territories like Navarashtra were located in south of Matsya.

History and in Kurukshetra War

The entire Matsya royal family came to fight for the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. Virata came with his brothers, Uttara, and Shankha. Shweta also came from the south with his son Nirbhita.

On the first day, Uttara died fighting Shalya. At the death of his half-brother, Shweta was infuriated and started wreaking havoc in the Kuru armies. Bhishma came and killed him. On the seventh day, Dronacharya killed Shankha and Nirbhita. On the fifteenth day, Dronacharya killed Virata. All of Virata's brothers also died fighting Dronacharya. The remnant of the Matsya army was slaughtered at midnight by Ashwastamma on the eighteenth day.

By the late Vedic period, they ruled a kingdom located south of the Kurus, and west of the Yamuna river which separated it from the kingdom of the Panchalas. It roughly corresponded to Jaipur in Rajasthan, and included the whole of Hindaun, Alwar with portions of Bharatpur as well as South Haryana. The capital of Matsya was at Viratanagari (present-day Bairat) which is said to have been named after its founder king, Virata.

Matsya Union

In the modern era, another United States of Matsya was a brief union of 4 princely states of Bharatpur, Dholpur, Alwar and Karauli temporarily put together from 1947 to 1949.States of India since 1947
/ref> Shobha Ram Kumawat of Indian National Congress was the first and last chief minister of the State from 18 March 1948 until 15 May 1949. Maharaja of Dholpur became its Rajpramukh.

On 15 May 1949, the Matsya Union was merged with Greater Rajasthan, to form the United State of Rajasthan, which later became the state of Rajasthan on 26 January 1950.

Ancient kingdoms of Rajasthan (c. 700 BCE–300 CE)

Northern Rajasthan area

* Salwa
* Yaudheya
* Kanyaka Kingdom
* Dwaita Kingdom
* Amvastha Kingdom

Eastern Rajasthan area

* Nishadha
* Arjunayanas

Central Rajasthan area

* Nishadas

Western Rajasthan area

* Abhira
* Sudra
* Sivi Kingdom
* Sindhu Kingdom

Southern Rajasthan area

* Malava
* Gurjara Kingdom
* Kunti Kingdom

These warrior kingdoms defeated many foreign invaders like Saka, Huna, and others.

Foreign kingdoms ruled in Rajasthan (c. 100–300CE)

These foreign kingdoms ruled some parts of western & northeast parts of Rajasthan, they also face strong opposition from indigenous kingdoms like Sivi, Arjunayanas, Yaudheya and Malava.

* Western Satraps
* Kushan Empire
* Huna

Later these foreign kingdoms were defeated Satavahanas and Guptas.

Gurjara-Pratihara Empire (c. 550–1036 CE)

The Gurjar Pratihar Empire acted as a barrier for Arab invaders from the 6th to the 11th century. The chief accomplishment of the Pratihars lies in its successful resistance to foreign invasions from the west, starting in the days of Junaid. Umayyad campaigns in India (740) An alliance of rulers under Nagabhata I defeated the Arabs in 711 CE, and forced them to retreat to Sindh. 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 Pratihara army that effectively barred the progress of the Arabs beyond the confines of Sindh, their only conquest for nearly 300 years.

Pratiharas of Mandavyapura (c. 550–860 CE)

The Pratiharas of Mandavyapura Pratīhāras of Māṇḍavyapura), also known as the ''Pratiharas of Mandore'' (or Mandor), were an Indian dynasty. They ruled parts of the present-day Rajasthan between 6th and 9th centuries CE. They first established their capital at Mandavyapura (modern Mandore), and later ruled from Medantaka (modern Merta).

The imperial Pratiharas also claimed descent from the legendary hero Lakshmana. The earliest known historical members of the family are Harichandra and his second wife Bhadra. Harichandra was a Brahmin, while Bhadra came from a Kshatriya noble family. They had four sons: Bhogabhatta, Kakka, Rajjila and Dadda. These four men captured Mandavyapura and erected a rampart there. It is not known where the family lived before the conquest of Mandavyapura.

List of rulers

Rudolf Hoernlé assumed a period of 20 years for each generation, and placed the dynasty's founder Harichandra in c. 640 CE. Baij Nath Puri placed Harichandra in c. 600 CE. R. C. Majumdar, on the other hand, assumed a period of 25 years for each generation, and placed him in c. 550 CE. The following is a list of the dynasty's rulers (IAST names in brackets) and estimates of their reigns, assuming a period of 25 years:

* Harichandra (Haricandra) alias Rohilladhi (r. c. 550 CE)
* Rajilla (r. c. 575 CE)
* Narabhatta (Narabhaṭa) alias Pellapelli (r. c. 600 CE)
* Nagabhata (Nāgabhaṭa) alias Nahada (r. c. 625 CE)
* Tata (Tāta) and Bhoja (r. c. 650 CE)
* Yashovardhana (Yaśovardhana) (r. c. 675 CE)
* Chanduka (Canduka) (r. c. 700 CE)
* Shiluka (Śīluka) alias Silluka (r. c. 725 CE)
* Jhota (r. c. 750 CE)
* Bhilladitya alias Bhilluka (r. c. 775 CE)
* Kakka (r. c. 800 CE)
* Bauka (Bāuka) (r. c. 825 CE)
* Kakkuka (r. c. 861 CE)

Bauka and Kakkuka were sons of Kakka from different mothers. The Jodhpur and Ghantiyala inscriptions of the two step-brothers give same genealogy of the family, except the last two names. Since these two inscriptions were found not far from each other, it appears that Bauka succeeded Kakka (rather than the two dividing Kakka's kingdom).

Pratiharas of Bhinmala (Kannauj) (c. 730–1036 CE)

Nagabhata I (730–760), was originally perhaps a feudatory of the Chavdas of Bhillamala. He gained prominence after the downfall of the Chavda kingdom in the course of resisting the invading forces led by the Arabs who controlled Sindh. Nagabhata Pratihara I (730–756) later extended his control east and south from Mandor, conquering Malwa as far as Gwalior and the port of Bharuch in Gujarat. He established his capital at Avanti in Malwa, and checked the expansion of the Arabs, who had established themselves in Sind. In Battle of Rajasthan (738 CE), Nagabhata led a confederacy of Pratiharas to defeat the Muslim Arabs who had until then been pressing on victorious through West Asia and Iran.

The Arab chronicler Sulaiman describes the army of the Pratiharas as it stood in 851 CE, "The ruler of Gurjara maintains numerous forces and no other Indian prince has so fine a cavalry. He is unfriendly to the Arabs, still he acknowledges that the king of the Arabs is the greatest of rulers. Among the princes of India there is no greater foe of the Islamic faith than he. He has got riches, and his camels and horses are numerous."

Mihira Bhoja was the Greatest ruler of dynasty, kingdoms which were conquered and acknowledged his Suzerainty includes Travani, Valla, Mada, Arya, Gujaratra,Lata Parvarta
and Chandelas of Bundelkhand. Bhoja's Daulatpura- Dausa Inscription(AD 843), confirms his rule in Dausa region. Another inscription states that, "Bhoja's territories extended to the east of the Sutlej river."

Mahmud of Ghazni captured Kannauj in 1018, and the Pratihara ruler Rajapala fled. He was subsequently captured and killed by the Chandela ruler Vidyadhara. The Chandela ruler then placed Rajapala's son Trilochanpala on the throne as a proxy. Jasapala, the last Gurjara-Pratihara ruler of Kannauj, died in 1036 CE.

List of rulers

* Nagabhata I (730–756), founder of dynasty
* Kakustha (756–765)
* Devaraja (765–778)
* Vatsaraja (778–805)
* Nagabhata II (800–833)
* Ramabhadra (833–836)
* Mihira Bhoja (836–890), Greatest ruler of dynasty
* Mahendrapala I (890–910)
* Bhoja II (910–913)
* Mahipala I (913–944)
*Mahendrapala II (944–948)
* Devpala (948–954)
* Vinaykpala (954–955)
* Mahipala II (955–956)
* Vijaypala II (956–960)
* Rajapala (960–1018)
*Trilochanpala (1018–1027)
* Jasapala (Yashpala) (1024–1036), last ruler of dynasty

Pratihara Art

There are notable examples of architecture from the Gurjara-Pratihara era, including sculptures and carved panels. Their temples, constructed in an open pavilion style. One of the most notable Gurjara-Pratihara style of architecture was Khajuraho, built by their vassals, the Chandelas of Bundelkhand

;Māru-Gurjara architecture

Māru-Gurjara architecture was developed during Gurjara Pratihara Empire.

;Mahavira Jain temple, Osian

Mahavira Jain temple, Osian temple was constructed in 783 CE, making it the oldest surviving Jain temple in western India.

;Baroli temples complex

Baroli temples complex are eight temples, built by the Gurjara-Pratiharas, is situated within a walled enclosured.

Other Pratihara branches

;Baddoch branch (c. 600–700 CE)
Known Baddoch rulers are:
* Dhaddha 1 (600–627)
*Dhaddha 2 (627–655)
* Jaibhatta (655–700)

;Rajogarh branch
Badegujar were rulers of Rajogarh
* Parmeshver Manthandev, (885–915)
*No records found after Parmeshver Manthandev

Kingdom of Mewar (c. 551–1948 CE)

Guhila dynasty (c. 551–1303 CE)

The Guhila dynasty ruled the Medapata (modern Mewar) region in present-day maharashtra state of India.

In the 6th century, three different ''Guhila dynasties'' are known to have ruled in present-day Rajasthan:

*''Guhilas of Nagda-Ahar,''
*''Guhilas of Kishkindha (modern Kalyanpur),''
*''Guhilas of Dhavagarta (present-day Dhor).''

None of these dynasties claimed any prestigious origin in their 7th century records. The Guhilas of Dhavagarta explicitly mentioned the Mori (later Maurya) kings as their overlords, and the early kings of the other two dynasties also bore the titles indicating their subordinate status. By the 10th century, the Guhilas of Nagda-Ahar were the only among the three dynasties to have survived. By this time, their political status had increased, and the Guhila kings had assumed high royal titles such as '' Maharajadhiraja''.

During this period, the dynasty started claiming a prestigious origin, stating that its founder Guhadatta was a ''mahideva'' ( Brahmin) who had migrated from Anandapura (present-day Vadnagar in Gujarat).

R. C. Majumdar theorizes that Bappa achieved a highly significant military success, because of which he gained reputation as the dynasty's founder.

The later bardic chronicles mention a fabricated genealogy, claiming that the dynasty's founder Guhaditya was a son of Shiladitya, the Maitraka ruler of Vallabhi. This claim is not supported by historical evidence.

According to the 977 CE Atpur inscription and the 1083 CE Kadmal inscription, Guhadatta was succeeded by Bhoja, who commissioned the construction of a tank at Eklingji. The 1285 CE Achaleshwar inscription describes him as a devotee of Vishnu. Bhoja was succeeded by Mahendra and Nagaditya. The bardic legends state that Nagaditya was killed in a battle with the Bhils.

Nagaditya's successor Shiladitya raised the political status of the family significantly, as suggested by his 646 CE Samoli inscription, as well as the inscriptions of his successors, including the 1274 CE Chittor inscription and the 1285 CE Abu inscription. R. V. Somani theorizes that the copper and zinc mines at Jawar were excavated during his reign, which greatly increased the economic prosperity of the kingdom.

Mahendra was succeeded by Kalabhoja, who has been identified as Bappa Rawal by several historians including G. H. Ojha.

In the mid-12th century, the dynasty divided into two branches. The senior branch (whose rulers are called ''Rawal'' in the later medieval literature) ruled from Chitrakuta (modern Chittorgarh), and ended with Ratnasimha's defeat against the Delhi Sultanate at the 1303 Siege of Chittorgarh. The junior branch ruled from Sesoda with the title '' Rana'', and gave rise to the Sisodia Rajput dynasty.

List of rulers

*Bappaka (550–566)
*Guhaditya / Guhlia (566–580) ''(Real founder of the dynasty)''
*Bhoja (580–602)
*Mahendra (I) (602–616)
*Nāga (616–646)
*Śiladitya (646–661 )
*Aparājita (661–697 )
*Mahendra (II) (697–728)
*'' Bappa Rawal'' / Kālabhoja (728–753)
*Khommāṇa (I) (753–773)
*Mattaṭa (773–790)
*Bhartṛipaṭṭa (I) (790–813)
*Rawalsiṃha (813–820)
*Khommāṇa (II) (820–853)
*Mahāyaka (853–900)
*Khommāṇa (III) (900–942)
*Bhartṛipaṭṭa (II) (942–943 CE)
*Allaṭa (943–953 )
*Naravāhana (953–971 )
*Śalivāhana (971–977 )
*Śaktikumāra (977–993 )
*Āmraprasāda (993–998)
*Śuchivarman (998–1010)
*Naravarman (1010–1035)
*Kīrtivarman (1035–1050)
*Yogarāja (1050–1075)
*Vairaṭa (1075–1090)
*Vaṃśapāla (1090–1100)
*Vairisiṃha (1100–1122)
*Vijayasiṃha (1122–1130)
*Vairisiṃha (II) (1130–1136)
*Arisiṃha (1136–1145)
*Choḍa (1145–1151)
*Vikramasiṃha (1151–1158)
* Raṇasiṃha (1158–1165 )

Branching of Guhil Dynasty

* Ranasingh (1158 CE) During his reign, the Guhil dynasty got divided into two branches.
* First (Rawal Branch)—Kṣemasiṃha, son of Raṇasiṃha, ruled over Mewar by building Rawal Branch.
* Second (Rana Branch)—Rahapa, the second son of Raṇasiṃha started the Rana Branch by establishing Sisoda bases. Due to his stay in Rana Sisoda hideout, he was later called Sisodia.

Post-split Rawal branch (c. 1165–1303 CE)

*Kṣemasiṃha (1165–1172)
*Sāmantasiṃha (1172–1179)
*Kumārasiṃha (1179–1185)
*Mathanasiṃha (1185–1201)
*Padmasiṃha (1201–1213)
* Jaitrasiṃha (1213–1261)
* Tejasiṃha (1261–1273)
* Samarasiṃha (1273–1301)
* Ratnasiṃha (1301–1303).

Rana branch (c. 1160–1326 CE)

''Rahapa'', a son of Ranasimha alias Karna, established the Rana branch. According to the 1652 Eklingji inscription, Rahapa's successors were:

*Rahapa/Karna (1160)
*Narapati (1185)
*Dinakara (1200)
*Jasakarna (1218)
*Nagapala (1238)
*Karnapala (1266)
*Bhuvanasimha (1280)
*Bhimasimha (1297)
*Jayasimha (1312)
*Lakhanasimha (1318)
*Arisimha (Arasi) (1322)
* Hammir Singh (1326)

Sisodia dynasty (c. 1326–1948 CE)

The Sisodia dynasty traced its ancestry to Rahapa, a son of the 12th century Guhila king Ranasimha. The main branch of the Guhila dynasty ended with their defeat against the Khalji dynasty

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