Rajasthan

Jain priests in the Ranakpur Temple complex, Rajasthan, northwest India. Ranakpur is one of the five holy Jain sites.

Udai Singh II founded the city of Udaipur, in southern Rajastan, India, in 1568. He also began construction of the Palace of Udaipur, above Lake Pichola. Additions were made to the palace over succeeding centuries, by later maharajas, and it now houses a major museum.

The Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, built in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, in 1799. A fine example of Rajput architecture, the five-storey palace is partly an ornate facade. From the lower of its 953 windows, the ladies of the harem could discreetly observe activities in the city's main street.

An Indian elephant, in Amber, Rajasthan. This elephant has been decorated with chalk or paint. An annual springtime Elephant Festival, held in the nearby city of Jaipur, begins with a procession of highly decorated and lavishly attired elephants.

Visitors to the annual camel fair at Pushkar, Rajasthan. Every autumn, the small town is transformed by the arrival of around twenty thousand visitors, including camel traders and other merchants, holy men, and tourists, and they bring with them up to 50,000 camels.

Part of the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur, Rajasthan, built by Maharajah Jai Singh II from 1728. Built of local stone and marble, the observatory consists of a number of geometrical instruments that were used to tell the time of day, predict eclipses, and track stars.

A street in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, India. Jaipur is a centre for trade in gems and the Gem Palace is one of India's leading exporters of jewellery.

The 4th-century step well at Bhandarej, Rajasthan, northern India. This five-storey well, with its rich designs and symmetrical structure, is a spectacularly well-preserved example, and was built for use by both nobles and commoners.

The ancient Amber Fort is set high on the rugged hills outside Jaipur, India. The Jaipur royal house held court there for seven centuries. The magnificent gateways, courtyards, and pavilions, and the glittering chambers of inlaid mirrors, have been carefully preserved.

The interior of the Amber Fort outside Jaipur, India. Building was commenced in 1552 by Maharaja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Emperor Akbar's army. The fort is famed for the inlaid mirrors and rich golden decoration of its chambers.

The City Palace at Udaipur, India. Overlooking Lake Pichola, the City Palace is a marvel of marble and granite. The largest palace in Rajasthan, its exquisite workmanship is unrivalled. It includes the Suraj Gokhada, the balcony of the sun; Mor Chowk, the royal courtyard, which is known for its beautiful peacock mosaics; and the shrine of Dhuni Mata.

Kumbhalgarh Fort lies about 64 km/40 mi from Udaipur. Isolated and magnificent, it was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. Situated on top of the Aravalli mountains at 1,100 m/3,600 ft, the fortress has only once been captured. Its walls stretch over 30 km/19 mi.

State of northwest India; area 342,214 sq km/132,130 sq mi; population (2001 est) 56,473,100. The capital is Jaipur. Kota is the leading industrial centre, with nylon and precision-instrument factories, while other industries include textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, chemicals, and the mining of silver, lead, and zinc. Millet, wheat, and barley are grown; oilseed, cotton, and sugar are produced; and cattle, sheep, and camels are raised.

Features The state contains the larger part of the Thar Desert, where India's first nuclear test was carried out; Ranthambhor wildlife reserve, in the southwest, formerly the private hunting ground of the maharajahs of Jaipur, with tigers, deer, antelope, wild boar, crocodiles, and sloth bears; and the Aravalli hills. Towns include Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Ajmer, and Udaipur.

Economy There are textile, cement, glass, asbestos, and chemical industries. Minerals include coal (Bikaner), salt (Sambhar salt lake), limestone, mica, zinc (smelted at Udaipur), copper, gypsum, phosphate, silver, and marble. Produce includes millet, wheat, barley, oilseed, cotton, and sugar. Cattle, sheep, and camels are raised in the drier areas. Agriculture is dependant on irrigation schemes such as the Indira Gandhi and Chambal canals.

Language and religion Languages are Rajasthani and Hindi. Religions include Hindu (90%) and Muslim (3%); 12 % belong to tribal groups (mainly Bhils) and have a guaranteed representation in the legislative assembly.

History Harappan civilizations have been discovered dating from the 3rd millennium BC. The Rajput dynasties emerged in the 6th century AD; the succeeding Mogul ruler Emperor Akbar sought conciliation rather than repression; the feudal aristocracies of Udaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and other states continued to rule until the end of the British imperial period. After independence in 1948, the Rajput princely states (Rajputana) were absorbed into the states of the Union of India (see India of the Princes). In 1956 Ajmer and Abu Road were incorporated into the state.