Preface
Before the year 1949, there was no geographical or political entity in existence, known as Rajasthan. Earlier, for the collective consciousness of this region, terms like 'Rajwada' (place of kings) or in the Dingal language 'Raythan'/'Raithan', or the term 'Rajputana' were used. Otherwise, according to the traditional mythological names found for different regions, Bikaner and its nearby areas were known as Jangal Desh', Jalore as 'Shrimal', Nagaur as 'Ahichhatrapur', the northern region of Alwar as 'Kuru', the southern and western regions as 'Matsya', and the areas of Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli as 'Shurasena'. The Udaipur-Chittor region was part of the 'Shivi' janapada and later known as 'Medpat' (Mewar). Similarly, the region around Jhalawar and surroundings were called 'Malwa', Sirohi as 'Arbud', Jodhpur as 'Maru' or 'Maruwar' and later 'Marwar', Jaisalmer as 'Maand', Dungarpur-Banswara as 'Bagad', and the Kota-Bundi region as 'Hadoti'. Its The history and culture of Rajasthan have been influenced to a great extent by its geographical environment. The Aravali (Aravalli) Mountain range, stretching from the southern part of Rajasthan to the north-eastern part, divides it into two unequal shapes and forms. The western part of Marwar, which receives less rainfall, is mostly sandy and in places, there are unbroken empires of barren desert dunes. In contrast, the eastern and southern parts of this region, which receive more rainfall, are covered with extensive mountain ranges, rivers, seasonal streams, dense vegetation, and greenery. The etymology of the word 'Aravali' or 'Aravalli' comes from the Rajasthani word 'Adavala', which is spread out like a 'beam' and is as useful to Rajasthan as a backbone. The most notable contribution of the Aravallis in the geography and history of Rajasthan has been that it has blocked the expansion of the desert in the south-eastern part. The general perception about Rajasthan has been that this region, plagued by water scarcity, was desolate and largely unaffected by human activities in the early times, and that the historical events began there rather late. However, this myth has been dispelled now by archaeological and historical explorations over the past century and a half. Finds from Jaisalmer and Barmer of Mesolithic and Palaeolithic tools, and from Nagaur (Kurada) and Jalore (Elana) of copper tool caches have been discovered. The excavations ar Kalibangan in Hanumangarh district have provided us with evidence of India's oldest prehistoric civilization. Nearly the entire region of Rajasthan, including Marwar, was part of the Maurya and Gupta empires. In light of known evidence, it can be said that even before the rise of the Pratiharas, the region of Rajasthan was a part of the historical cycle of the Indian subcontinent. Since the beginning of the 20th century, special emphasis has been laid on the study of regional history. As a result, the history of Rajasthan has also attracted the attention of many renowned scholars and historians, such as James Tod, Gauri Shankar Hirachand Ojha, D. R. Bhandarkar, B. N. Reu, C.V. Vaidya, H. C. Ray, D.C. Ganguly, G.C. Raychaudhuri, A. C. Banerjee, D.C. Sarkar, R.C. Majumdar, A. K. Majumdar, Dashrath Sharma, Gopi Nath Sharma, and later V.S. Bhatnagar, R.P. Vyas, M.S. Jain, among others. Several foreign scholars have also shown interest in the study of India's regional history. Notable works include Selig Harrison's 'India- The Most Dangerous Decades' (1962), Robert S. Crane's 'Regions and Regionalism in South Asian Studies' (1967), Akhtar Majeed's 'Regionalism- Developmental Tensions in India', Paul Wallace (ed.) 'Region and Nation in India' (1985), and others. The uniqueness and distinctiveness of Rajasthan's history and culture are what draw the curiosity and attraction of people from both India and abroad. India is, no doubt, known for its diversity, but its foundation is based on a fundamental unity and coherence. Regional history has its own importance, and Rajasthan is a unique example in this respect. However, this should not lead to the promotion of false pride or blind nationalism. The various regions (ancient Mahajanapadas) of India are like beautiful flowers whose glow and beauty are doubled when strung together in the garland of the nation. The history of Rajasthan is characterized by some remarkable features in its different periods.
About The Book
Regional history has been receiving a great fillip since the early decades of the last century. It is still necessary to emphasize that national unity must take precedence over any or all regional loyalties. The real utility of regional history should lie not in its appeal to parochial sentiments, but in its vast potential for micro level studies. Fortunately. the source material available in Rajasthan is exceptionally rich. Lots of intensive work in the area has been done by eminent scholars, no doubt, yet there is scope for more exhaustive studies. It is all the more necessary with a view to understanding its regional identity in all its uniqueness as revealed in the sagas of bravery and valour, chivalry and sacrifices, aggrandizements and abnegations, romances and adventures, interspersed with myriads of cultural efflorescence glimpsed through the varied shades of religion, art, language, literature and a colourful folk life.
About The Author
Surendra Nath Dube (b. 1941) has a brilliant academic background B.A. Allahabad University and M.A. first class first, Gorakhpur University. He earned his Ph.D. from the U.O.R. Jaipur in 1968 where he taught for 35 years, beginning his career as Assistant Professor in History and Indian Culture in the year 1967. He was appointed Associate Professor in 1985 and Tagore Professor in 1989. His major publications include Cross Currents in Early Buddhism (Manohar Delhi 1980, 2nd edn.2023), History of Indian Civilization and Culture (Jaipur 1985), Religious Movements in Rajasthan (ed. Jaipur 1996) and A History of Early Buddhism (Motilal Banarsidass Delhi 1923). After his superannuation in Dec. 2001, he joined IIAS, Shimla as a Fellow (2002-2005). Apart from being a member of the ICHR, New Delhi (2008-2014), He has held other academic-cum-administrative positions, such as Director Centre for Rajasthan Studies, Director P.G. School of Humanities, Director UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, University of Rajasthan and Principal University Rajasthan College, Jaipur.
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