Rajasthan
(India) Group Tours
RAJASTHAN, (literally, the
abode of kings) is the homeland of the Rajputs, known for their
chivalry, valour and heroism. Perhaps, no other region of India is so
thrilling and so colourful, or possesses more that is traditional and
picturesque. Rajasthan’s stirring story, which is full of heroic
deeds, forms a glorious chapter of Indian history.The re-organised
State of Rajasthan, the third largest in India, has roughly speaking,
been formed by the union of twenty-two former princely States and the
integration of the erstwhile part ‘C’ State of Ajmer. The new State is
3,42,440 sq. km. (1,32,217 square miles) in area. We
offer individual and private escortet Group Tours of Rajasthan.
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The Land
of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is bound on the west and north-west by Pakistan, on the
north by the Punjab, and by Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bombay
States on other sides. The Aravalli range runs through the region like
a spine dividing Rajasthan into two portions, the north-western and
the south-eastern. The former is almost wholly a vast expanse of
desert, comprising desolate plateaus, shifting sand-dunes, arid plains
and bare cliffs. The latter has a varied terrain of extensive hill
ranges, fertile tablelands and dense forests. The Chambal and its
tributary, the Banas, are the largest rivers of Rajasthan.
The People
Eight out of every ten people live in the region’s 33,000 villages.
The people of Rajasthan represent a mosaic of many racial patterns.
The Bhils and Minas are the oldest inhabitants. Later, the Rajputs
conquered the region which eventually came to be known as Rajputana.
Brahmins, Jats, Gujars, Mewatis, Gadia Lohars, Patels and Ahirs are
among the other important groups in Rajasthan.
The martial Rajputs claim descent from the royal heroes of India’s two
great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Sisodias, Rathors
and Kachhawas trace their origin from the Solar line, the Bhatis and
the Tanwars from the Lunar line. The third group of four Rajput clans,
the Solankis, Parmars, Parihars and Chauhans are said to have sprung
from a sacrificial fire at Mount Abu.
The history of the Rajputs is replete with deeds of chivalry and
heroism. Reckless courage, a keen sense of honour and pride in their
tradition and adherence to the pledged word are the qualities which
repeatedly stand out in the annals of their struggle against the
invaders. In the face of overwhelming odds, they had the courage to
make the supreme sacrifice: the men donned the yellow robes of
self-sacrifice and died fighting, while their women flung themselves
in flames to escape the ignominy of capture. Indeed, the brave deeds
of Rajputs have few paralles in the history of the world. |
