Rajasthan before the Rajputs – Rajasthan’s history is about 5000 years old. Before the reign of the Rajput rulers, Rajasthan was a part of the illustrious Mauryan Empire in around (321-184 BC). It had also been a part of Republics like Arjunyas, Hunas, Kushans, Malavas, Saka Satraps and the Yaudhyas. The Guptas reigned in the 4th century. In fact Rajasthan has been associated with the Harappan Civilization of the 1000 BC when Archaeological excavations were carried out. The Archaeological excavations also revealed that Rajasthan was a part of the Indus Valley Civilization during the3000 to 500BC. The historical evidence found in Virat reflects the presence of the ancient Push Karara Nanya, the Pre-Aryan people. The first Aryan settlement was at the Dundhmer region around 1400 BC. The foremost inhabitants of this area were the Bhil and the Mina. Buddhist caves and shrines (Stupas) have been found in Jhalawar, in Southern part of Rajasthan. Ancient Hindu scriptural epics make reference to sites in present-day Rajasthan.
The Emergence of the Rajputs- The decline of the 300 year old Gupta Empire in the 5th century led to the political unrest in the Northern India and was followed by an epoch of instability as numerous chieftains tried to gain power. The situation was stabilized when the Gurjara Partiharas, the earliest of the Rajput dynasty emerged around 700 AD. Since then Rajasthan was identified as Rajputana (land of the Rajputs). The term "Rajput" literally means king’s son or the son of a king.
It is believed that the Rajputs were the descendants of the Suryavanshi clan, related to the sun, the Chandravanshi related to the moon or the Agnikula meaning fire-family. The Rajputs emerged from the flames of this sacrificial fire on Mount Abu of Rajasthan.
During the eighth - twelfth century AD, the Rajput clan gained supremacy and altogether the Rajputs were divided into 36 royal clans and 21 dynasties like the Hadas of Jhalwawar, Kota & Bundi, Sisodias of Mewar (Udaipur), the Bhattis of Jaisalmer, the Shekhawats of Shekhawati, the Kachwahas of Amber (Jaipur),and the Chauhans of Ajmer.
From 640AD onwards, the Pratiharas, Gujars, Chauhans and Gahlots set up independent Kingdoms. Rajasthan of Northern India was ruled by the Pratihars during the 750-1000 AD. Around 1000-1200 AD, the Rajputs of Rajasthan had internal strife between themselves and were engaged in armed conflicts with each other. A struggle for supremacy took place among the Parmars, Chalukyas, and Chauhans. Thus the history of Rajasthan abounds in the chronicles of bloodshed, valor and sacrifice.
