Rajasthan: An Introduction

Rajasthan: An Introduction



Location, Site and Situation

 

The State of Rajasthan, as an abode of Rajput rulers, the princess and the heroic warriors, is located in the north-western part of India. It's geographical state Location is between 23°3" to 30°12'' North latitude and cult 69°30'' to 78°17'' East longitude with the tropic of cancer passing through the southernmost tip of the state.

 

The state is situated in the north-western part of the Indian union covering the complete arid great Indian is a desert and parts of semi-arid climatic zone. It is surrounded by Punjab in north, Gujarat in south of Pakistan in west and Uttar Pradesh in east. It has Haryana and Delhi in north east and be Madhya Pradesh in south east. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan.

 

From the geographical  point of view, Rajasthan was formerly enveloped by the  plains of river Ganga and Yamuna in the east, plateau of the Malwa in south and the plains of Satluj-Vyas rivers in north  and north east. It's location in the western fringe of the Indian landmass has placed the state enroute to hot western winds during summers and Mediterranean cyclones during the winters.

  

Politically, its situation has given wide dimensions, upheavals and changes from times immemorial. Since the dawn of civilization up to the present day the political system of the area has witnessed the democratic rituals, kingship and kinship as well as socialistic pattern of government administration.

 

The landmass is blocked, the direct sea trade and transport facility is negated. The economic, social and cultural exchange has been consistently retarded.

 

The industrial and technical progress too is slow owing to lack of free marine access. The arid and semi-arid climate, paucity of potable water, lack of energy resources gave a fragile growth of Rajasthan.

 

Shape, Area and Size

 

Rajasthan an irregularly rhomboid state with east-West and north-south diagonals joined by the outer boundary lines of the districts of Ganganagar-bikaner-Jaisalmer, Banswara and Dholpur. The rhomboid shape has proved a boon as it allows the state to be geographically, politically, historically, culturally and ethnically a homogenous easily accessible unit of Indian Union. The length of Rajasthan State is 826 km from north to south and 869 km. from west to east. The land boundary of Rajasthan is about 5920 km. long.

 

It is the largest state of India from the view point of area. It's total area is 3,42,239 sq. kms. which is equivalent to about 10.41% area of India. Rajasthan being the largest state, is followed by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh etc. When compared with the countries of the world from the view point of area, Rajasthan is five times bigger than Sri Lanka, three times than Czechoslovakia, seventeen times than Israel and more than double of England. Rajasthan is a bit smaller in size than Japan. Thus, the extent of Rajasthan State can be visualized.

 

Boundaries of Rajasthan

The northern boundary of Rajasthan is linked to Haryana and Punjab, eastern boundary to Uttar Pradesh and south-western boundary to Gujarat. The boundaries of the districts of Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer are linked with the western boundary of Rajasthan adjacent to Pakistan.

 

In the north, the international boundary starts ten kilometers, south of Fazilka goes upto Sahgarh in the west and goes further upto the north-eastern of Gulf of Kutch where it subsequently ends. The districts of Bahawalpur, Khairpur and Meerpur Khas are located on the boundary line towards Pakistan. 1070 kms.is the international boundary, separating Indian union with Pakistan on its western flank. Thus, the state has a special status in matters of defence, political interaction and security arrangements.

 

As this boundary covers vast desert area and is the longest boundary of all the states, it deserves special attention from the view point of the development of desert area.

 

Being the parts of the same continent the geographical conditions of both India and Pakistan are similar but they are nevertheless, distinct nations from political point of view. There are no natural boundaries between India and Pakistan because of which many difficulty crop up every now and then

 

This boundary area can be used for facilitating trade and for cultural exchanges between the people of the two countries provided good neighbourly relations are maintained between India and Pakistan. It is of great importance not only from the view point of Rajasthan but also of the whole country.

 

Rajasthan - A Homogeneous Entity

 

Geographical interludes of the state have largely influenced the physical and the cultural diversities as the different areal designs, old heritage, attractive natural panorama, customs, costumes, traditions, habits and behavioral senses etc.

 

(i) The oldest & highly denuded precambrian Aravalli ranges with their lofty peaks Guru Shikhar, (1722m), Taragarh (873m), Achalgarh (1380 m), and Jarga (1431m) on one side and intensively cultivated plain areas of Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Kota, Banswara, Dungarpur and Bharatpur of Quaternary age on the other hand are contrast in topographical features of Rajasthan.

 

(ii) The archaeological sites at Kalibanga, Pilibanga, Ahar can be compared to the modern bustling metropolitan's like Ajmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The budding of Rajput, Mohammadan and Hindu cultures is hidden in its historic monuments.

 

(iii) The scorching heat of June touching the mark of 48° celsius and the lowest ebb of mercury below! freezing in January is a peculiar contrast in climate.

 

(iv) Jaisalmer & Bikaner districts rarely have rains whereas Mt. Abu in Sirohi, Jhalawar and Banswara record more than 150 cms. rains during monsoon.

 

(V) The cool blue sky and green treasures of Mt. Abu with luxuriant vegetation is a contrast over the barren, parched golden sandy areas of Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner, Churu, Barmer and Jaisalmer.

 

(vi) The citizens of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Udaipur and Kota have a sharp contast over aboriginal Bhils, Garasias and Damors who are living in isolation under scattered unsheltered existence, hindered by the sprawl of modern society and civilization,

 

(vii) The change in dialect after every 50 kms.is an oddity and Rajasthani language coalesces these dialects all through.

 

(viii) The present day dress materials and fashions blown off the old traditions and people started opting for western styles, thus losing regional identities viz. Mewari, Jodhpuri, Hadoti etc.

 

(x) The state is a harmonious entity in all its diversities, providing food, shelter and clothing to residents and they are enjoying individual cultural affinity and social obligations in the geographical framework.

 

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