Aeons
ago, or so the desert dwellers believe, Shri Rama drew an arrow in his bow.
His target was lanka, the island where Ravana held his wife captive.
However, such was the potential power of its annihilation that the gods
pleaded with Rama to desist from its intended purpose.
Unfortunately, Rama had to release the arrow now that it had been drawn and
so he pointed it towards a sea that readily dried up owing to the enormous
heat and in its place arose a desert - dry arid and hot Myth perhaps, but
myth and reality often coalesce in the desert. Fossils excavated underneath
the sands on the Thar have revealed the remains of marine life.
It was to this and desert centuries ago, that man journeyed. The earliest
inhabitants of northern Rajasthan belonged to the (largely urban) Indus
Valley Civilization Archaeologists and historians have theorized that the
geometric fashion of the layout of the citadels and buildings was followed
till recently. The Indus valley civilization went into decline; academicians
speculate a number of possible of possible causes. From there on, nothing
but desert winds must have howled for centuries.
In other parts
of the world, maritime activity and commerce arose, and a sophisticated
network of trade linked different countries. Europe was linked to Asia along
a trade route that passed through West Asia, and journeyed through the vast
desert of Rajasthan to the rich plains of Hindustan. From the Hindukush
passes, the route connected to China. The caravans on this route attracted
supporting commercial services and settlement soon came up. The invaders
followed. And then came the settlers, who in return for the protection they
offered, levied a tax on the goods that passed through their territory. So
began the transformation of the desert. The kings were Rajput, part of the
kshtriya clan of warriors who once held most of Hindustan under their sway.
But under sustained foreign invasion and riddled with internecine wars,
their power collapsed over a period of time. The Thar became their refuge.
In course of time, the Rajput built themselves the magnificent
forts and palaces to their power. These kings had come to rule once again
and the region was called
"RAJPUTANA" land of the rulers.
Deeply religious, the people built besides their forts, superbly carved
temples, elaborate wells, havelis, and memorials to their dead. The rulers
were also known for their sensitivities to the arts, offering patronage to
their artistes. No wonder then Rajasthan is endowed with a rich
architectural and artistic heritage. Rajasthan medieval history is rich in
tales of valor and chivalry. The invaders from Central Asia routinely
plundered India but were offered resistance by the rulers Rajputana notably
from Mewar and Marwar (Jodhpur)
It is must be mentions here that
the history of Mewar, the region comprising Udaipur, Chittorgarh and
Kumbalgarh is particularly extraordinary, being full of victories over large
armies and tragedies consuming many a young man and woman.
Victory tower at Chittorgarh, the defeats were cataclysmic - the warriors
went to the battlefield to kill or be killed, their womenfolk and children
underwent the elaborate if macabre act of
"jauhar" or
voluntary acceptance of death by jumping into ritual fire pit. When the
Mughals consolidated their power in Delhi, the rulers of Jaipur (the closest
to Delhi) accepted their suzerainty by offering the hand of one of the Royal
ladies to Akbar.This lead to a long -term strategic alliance with one
kingdom after another joining them, mostly under threat. But, in keeping
with the spirit of his forefathers, Maharana Pratap, the scion of Mewar,
despite being outnumbered and out of power, fought many a guerilla battle
with the powerful armies of Akbar.He and his family lived the life on the
move-they ate with their solders, and slept on the ground. His life is
recounted today in songs and poetry.
In later years, peace became
common owing to tie-up with Mugahls and later the British powers, the rulers
created stately palaces many of which of its are museum and hotels today.
