Every year, March 30 is recognised as Rajasthan’s foundation day. That’s because the state, which was formerly known as Rajputana, was created on this day in 1949. The British gave Rajputana the moniker. On April 18, 1948, Jawaharlal Nehru formally established Rajasthan as a result of the consolidation of many princely states. The majority of Rajputana, which consists of the two chiefdoms, the former 19 princely kingdoms, and the British province of Ajmer-Merwara, is included in modern-day Rajasthan.
Among the principal Rajput princely republics included Jaisalmer, Marwar (Jodhpur), Bikaner, Mewar (Chittorgarh), Alwar, and Dhundhar (Jaipur). Tonk was a princely state under the Pathans, whilst Bharatpur and Dholpur were princely kingdoms under the Jats. The state government of Rajasthan will host a celebration today at Jaipur’s Albert Hall to mark the state’s founding day. Every year, events are planned, and participants take part in cultural activities and traditional folk arts.
Everywhere in the state celebrates the day. Rajasthan is India’s most populous and seventh-largest state by area. It shares a boundary along the Sutlej-Indus River basin with the Pakistani provinces of Sindh to the west and Punjab to the northwest, and it makes up the majority of the expansive and hostile Thar Desert.
The Ancient And Mediaeval History Of Rajasthan
Certain areas of Rajasthan may have been a part of the Indus Valley civilization, according to experts. Human habitations dating back to the Harappan period were discovered during excavations in Kalibanga (in northwest Rajasthan) in 1998.
During numerous kingdoms and rulers throughout history, the area was regarded as being particularly strategically important. Between 321 to 184 BCE, it was a component of the Mauryan Empire. In the fourth century, Rajasthan played a significant role in the Gupta Empire’s governance.
It is generally agreed that Rajasthan’s golden age was during the Middle Ages. History of Rajasthan by Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya a.k.a. Hemu, put down the Afghans at their first uprising in 1553 at Ajmer. To win the trust of the Rajput kings, Emperor Akbar arranged marriages between them. He wed Jodha Bai, a Rajput princess and the Maharaja of Amer. It was a wise decision that resulted in friendly relations between the Mughals and the Rajputs.
Raja Maan Singh of Amer was a trustworthy ally. Raja Uday Singh founded the city of Udaipur during this time. He engaged the Mughals in a never-ending conflict because he could never accept their dominance. Akbar took Chittor, his capital, by force. Once Raja Uday Singh passed away, his son Maharana Pratap carried on the conflict.
British India In Rajasthan
The situation in the nation completely changed with the entry of the East India Company. The name Rajputana was given to the territory, giving it a new identity. In early 19th-century treaties, the Rajput monarchs agreed to accept British suzerainty and management of their foreign affairs in exchange for internal autonomy. Rajasthan became the official name of the state in 1949.
Key Information
Capital- Jaipur
Geographical Area (sq km)-342,239
State Language- Hindi, Marwari, Jaipuri, Mewari, Malvi and English
Literacy Rate- 66.1 per cent
Key Industries and Key Sectors
Cement
Tourism
Textiles
IT and ITeS
Ceramics
Handicrafts
Chemical
Marble
Steel
The state’s economy is based on agriculture, and it contains nine agroclimatic zones and several types of soil to aid in crop development. It is one of the states in India that produces the most minerals. The state has access to about 81 different types of minerals, and 57 of those are commercially produced there.
Moreover, it makes a substantial contribution to the manufacturing of dimensional and decorative stones like granite, marble, and sandstone. One of the most popular travel destinations in India is the state. Ancient palaces, particularly those in Jaipur and Udaipur, present chances to develop the luxury tourism industry as more travellers travel to desert and animal sanctuaries.
During 2015-16 and 2021-22, the state’s GSDP expanded at a CAGR (in Rs.) of 10.07%. The tertiary sector, which contributed 45.44% of Rajasthan’s GSVA in 2020-21, has experienced the strongest growth between 2011-12 and 2020-21, rising at a CAGR (in Rs.) of 10.86%.
Storage, communication, and broadcasting-related services, financial services, and public administration were the main drivers of growth. The Directorate for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) estimates that between October 2019 and June 2022, the state received US$ 1,566.03 million in FDI inflows.
Highest Solar Generation Capacity Ever Installed (16.35 Gw As Of 31st January 2023)
The state is the top producer of oilseeds, rapeseed, and mustard in India, while it is second in terms of coriander, cumin, nutri-coarse cereals, and garlic. In the Export Preparedness Index for 2021, Rajasthan came in at number 11. Around 46% of the state’s GVA at current prices in 2022-2023 comes from the service sector, while 29% comes from agriculture and related industries. In Rajasthan, there are numerous booming business prospects in contract farming, organic farming, and agricultural infrastructure development.
There are over 956 food processing facilities in the state. With 82 major and minor minerals, Rajasthan is the second-largest mineral producing state in India. In addition to being the largest producer of marble, it is the only producer of zinc and lead in the nation. Rajasthan also takes pride in being the world’s top producer of gypsum, phosphorite, and silver. In 2021, the state welcomed almost 22 million visitors, including those from abroad.
India’s largest state is Rajasthan (area wise). It borders Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, five of the largest Indian states. The state contains about 25% of the National Capital Region (NCR). Rajasthan is the state in India with the biggest installed solar generation capacity in the renewable energy industry (over 16.5 GW). In the top five states, the state is also.
Regarding installed wind generation capacity, the state is also one of the top five in India. Rajasthan is home to the largest solar park in the world, a 2245 MW facility in Bhadla. The business community can seize this chance to invest in Rajasthan and profit by making the best use of the available resources.
Almost 40% of the Indian market is accessible through Rajasthan, which also serves as a vital transportation link between the northern Indian states and the ports along India’s western coastline. Rajasthan also features the second-largest rail network in India, the third-largest network of national highways, nine inland container depots, an air cargo complex, and seven airports with direct connections to both the international and domestic markets.