According to the Hindu Mythology, the Rajputs of Rajasthan were the descendants of the Kshatriyas or warriors of Vedic India. The emergence of the Rajput warrior clans was in the 6th and 7th centuries. Rajputs ancestry can be divided into two: the "solar" or suryavanshi-those descended from Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, and the "lunar" or chandravanshi, who claimed descent from Krishana, the hero of the epic Mahabharata. Later a third clan was added, the agnikula or fire-born, said to have emerged from the flames of a sacrificial fire on Mt Abu.
It has been accepted that the Rajputs were divided into thirty-six races and twenty-one kingdoms. The Rajput clans gave rise to dynasties like Sisodias of Mewar (Udaipur), the Kachwahas of Amber (Jaipur), the Rathors of Marwar (Jodhpur & Bikaner), the Hadas of Jhalwawar, Kota & Bundi, the Bhattis of Jaisalmer, the Shekhawats of Shekhawati and the Chauhans of Ajmer.
Early History: Rajasthan is the north-western region of India, and has remain independent from the great empires. Buddhism failed to make substantial inroad here; the Mauryan empire (321-184 BC), whose most renowned emperor, Ashoka, Converted to Buddhism in 261 BC, had minimal impact in Rajasthan, However, there are Buddhist caves and stupas (Buddhist Shrines) at Jhalawar, in Southern Rajasthan. Ancient Hindu scriptural epics make reference to sites in present-day Rajasthan. The Holy Pilgrimage site of Pushkar is mentioned in both the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
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| Rajasthan |
| Capital |
Jaipur |
| Area |
342,239 Sq.Kms |
| Population |
51.7 Millions |
| Language |
Rajasthani & Hindi |
| Best Season |
Mid-October to Mid-March |
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Emergence of the Rajputs:
The fall of the Gupta Empire, which held dominance in northern India for nearly 300 years until the early 5th Century, was followed by a period of instability as various local chieftains sought to gain supremacy. Power rose and fell in northern India. Stability was only restored with the emergence of the Gurjara Partiharas, the earliest of the Rajput (from 'Rajputra', or Sons of Princes) dynasties which were later to hold the balance of power throughout Rajasthan.Whatever their actual origins, the Rajputs have evolved a complex mythological genealogy. This ancestry can be divided into two main branches: the Suryavansa, or Race of the Sun (Solar Race), which claims direct descent from Rama; and the Induvansa, or Race of the Moon (Lunar race), which claims descent from Krishna, Later a third branch was added, the Agnikula, or 'Fire Born'. These people claim they were manifested from the flames of a sacrificial fire on Mt.Abu From these three Principal races emerged the 36 Rajput clans.
The Rajput clans gave rise to dynasties such as the Chauhans, Sisodias, Kachhwahas and Rathores. Chauhans of the Agnikula Race emerged in the 12th century and were renowned for their valour. Their territories included the Sapadalksha kingdom, which encompassed a vast area including present- day Jaipur, Ranthambore, part of Mewar, the western portion of Bundi district, Ajmer Kishangarh and even, at one time, Delhi. Branches of the Chauhans also ruled territories know as Ananta (in present-day Shekhawati) and Saptasatabhumi. The Sisodias of the Suryavansa Race, Originally from Gujarat, migrated to Rajasthan in the mid-7th Century and reigned over Mewar, which encompassed Udaipur and Chittorgarh. The Kachhwahas, originally from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, travelled west in the 12th century. They built the massive fort at Amber, and later shifted the capital to Jaipur. Like the Sisodias, they belonged to the Suryavansa Race.
Also belonging to the Suryavansa Race, the Rathore (earlier known as Rastrakutas) traveled from Kanauj, in Uttar Pradesh. Initially they settled in Pali, south of present-day Jodhpur, but later moved to Mandore in 1381 and ruled over Marwar (Jodhpur). Later they started building the stunning Meherangarh (fort) at Jodhpur.
The Bhattis, who belong to the Induvansa Race, driven from their homeland in the Punjab by the Turks, installed themselves at Jaisalmer in 1156. They remained more of less entrenched in their desert Kingdom untill they were integrated into the state of Rajasthan following Independence
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The Rhythms of Music and Dance: The desert comes alive when the perfumers take centre stage. Though the Ghoomar is dances that is performed in the privacy of homes, and was once restricted to the zananas, almost all others are folk forms that are either linked to a particular festival. In recent years however, these performances have become more widespread, so that the regional distinction is beginning to wear off. Visitors to the state can request specific enter entertainments, or simply choose to be swept away by the rhythms and a nuance of Rajasthan as it celebrates.
Bhavai: One of the state’s most spectacular performances consists of veiled women dancers balancing up to seven or nine brass pitchers as they dance nimbly, pirouetting, and then swaying with the soles of their feet perched on top of a glass, or on the edge of a sword. There is a sense of cutting edge suspense to the performance, and even through some of the hotel performers use only papier-mache pots that are stuck together, the feat is still one of amazing dexterity.
Chari: Dancers choreograph deft patterns with their hands while balancing brass pots on their heads. The performance is made more picturesque with the flames from cottonseeds set alight, so that the bobbing heads create streaks of illuminated patterns as they move effortlessly around the floor.
Drum Dance: Put a naked sword in the mouth of a man, and give him three swords to juggle with his hands while avoiding causing an injury to himself. This to the accompaniment of his troupe that consists of musicians holding aloft drums around their necked and cymbals in their hands. A stirring performance from a martial race.
Fire Dance: if there is divine protection to be offered, the jasnaiths of Bkaner and churu must be responsible for most of it. These dancers perform on a large bed of flaming coals, their steps moving to the beat of drums that arises in crescendo till the dancers appear to be in a near-hypnotic state. And no, they’re not likely to have any blisters to show for it. These devotional performances are usually to be seen late on a winter’s night.
Gair: There are several variations to this picturesque dance form that is performed by both men and women. The men wear long, pleated tunics that open out into full-length skirts as they move first clockwise then in anti-clockwise direction, beating their sticks to create the rhythm when they turn. Originally a Bhil dance, and performed at the time of Holi, its variations are the Dandia Gair in the Marwar Region and Geended in the Shekhawati region.
Ghoomar: A community dance of the Rajputs, performed by the women of the house and traditionally out of bounds for men, it uses simple, swaying movements to convey the spirit of any auspicious occasion. There is, however, an amazing grace as the skirts flare slowly while the women twirl in circles, their faces covered by the veil. Traditionally all women, whether old or young, participate in the dance, which can continue for hours into the night. A new bride, on her husband, too is expected to dance the ghoomar as one of the rituals of the new marriage.
Kachhi Ghodi: Originated from the bandit regions of Shekhawati, the dance is performed for the entertainment of a bridegroom’s party. Dancers wear elaborate costumes resemble them riding on dummy horses. A vigorous dance, it uses mock-fights and the brandishing of swords, nimble sidestepping and pirouetting to the music of fifes and drums. A ballad singer usually sings the exploits of the bandit Robin Hoods.
Kathak: This formal, classical dance evolved as a gharana in the courts of Jaipur where it reached a scale that established it as distinct from the other centre of kathak, Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Even today, the Jaipur gharana is well established, though performances occur in other centers rather than in the state where the opportunity for classical dance forms has been on the decline for a while.
Kathputli: A tradition of puppeteering has long existed in Rajasthan A traveling form of entertainment; it uses the ballads retold in the voice of the puppeteer who is assisted by this family in erecting a make-shift stage. Puppets are strung on the stage and recount historic anecdotes, reply tales of love, and include much screeching and high-pitched sounds as the puppets twirl and move frenetically.
Maand: A form of court music, the maand is a raga formation that developed in Marwar, and includes a complex inflexion of voices, sung in a deep bass. This sophisticated form of music percolated down to folk forms and professional singers use it to sing ballads that have a haunting quality as their voices range over the desert. The maand has also been used to sing the praises of their ruller-patrons. A festivals is now exclusively dedicated to the even in Jodhpur.
Sapera Dance: One of the most sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan, Performed by the Kalbelia snake charmers’ community, the Sapera (Snake Charmers) dancers wear long, black skirts embroidered with silver ribbons. As they spin in a circle, their body sways acrobatically, so that it is impossible to believe that they are made of anything other than rubber. As the beat increases too much a pitch that it leaves the viewer as exhausted as the dancer
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Wonderland Treks and Tours Private Limited is organizing following special choosen programmes for its valued clients, each tour is specially designed and is based on a particular region or theme of the Rajasthan State. If you need more customized Trips and Tailor-made trips for Rajasthan please let us know , we will provide you the memorable trip to this mystic state of the India called “Rajasthan”. For any customized request you may please email us at: wonderland.enquiry@gmail.com
- Golden Triangle Tour: Days / 04 Nights
- Treasure of Rajasthan: Days / 12 Nights
- Royal Rajasthan Tour: Days / 17 Nights
- Colorful Rajasthan Tour: Days / 12 Nights
- Rajasthan With Wildlife Tour: Days / 17 Nights\
- Royal Wedding Rajasthan: Days / 03 Nights
- Palace of Wheel: Days / 10 Nights
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