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UPSC & State PSC

Rajasthan History & Culture for RAS

Prehistoric sites, the Rajput dynasties from the Pratiharas to Mewar, Marwar and Amber, Rajput–Mughal relations, 1857, peasant movements, the Praja Mandals and integration, plus forts, painting, folk music, fairs and crafts. Tested in Prelims and Mains GS I.

12 guides·Conducted by Rajasthan Public Service CommissionOfficial website

Study in this order

  1. 1Prehistoric Rajasthan: Kalibangan, Ahar, Ganeshwar, BagorLong before the Rajputs, Rajasthan was home to some of the subcontinent's most important early settlements — a ploughed field and fire altars at Kalibangan, copper-smelting villages at Ganeshwar, the Banas culture of Ahar and Gilund, and early herders at Bagor. What each site tells us, who excavated it, and how RAS asks about it. 4 min read
  2. 2Ancient Rajasthan: Matsya, Bairat and the janapadasViratnagar, the capital of the Matsya kingdom of the Mahabharata; Ashoka's edict and a Buddhist circular shrine at Bairat; tribal republics like the Malavas and Yaudheyas who minted their own coins; and Bhinmal, where Brahmagupta wrote his mathematics. Ancient Rajasthan from the janapadas to the eve of the Rajputs. 4 min read
  3. 3The origins of the Rajputs: theories and debatesWere the Rajputs descendants of ancient Kshatriyas, born from a sacrificial fire on Mount Abu, foreign invaders absorbed into Indian society, or local groups who rose to power and claimed a new status? The major theories of Rajput origins, their evidence, their weaknesses, and how modern historians see the question. 5 min read
  4. 4The Gurjara-Pratiharas and early medieval RajasthanFrom modest beginnings in Mandore and Jalore, the Gurjara-Pratiharas built one of the largest empires of early medieval India, held back Arab expansion for two centuries, and fought the Palas and Rashtrakutas for control of Kannauj. Their rulers, their achievements, the temples of their age at Osian and Abhaneri, and why they matter for RAS. 4 min read
  5. 5The Chauhans of Ajmer and Prithviraj IIIThe Chauhans rose from Sambhar to found Ajmer, took Delhi from the Tomaras, and produced Prithviraj III, whose victory and defeat at Tarain in 1191–92 changed Indian history. Later Chauhan branches held out at Ranthambore and Jalore against Alauddin Khalji. Rulers, battles, sources and legends — the Chauhans for RAS. 4 min read
  6. 6Mewar: from Bappa Rawal to Rana SangaMewar's rulers — the Guhilas and their Sisodia branch — held one of India's longest-ruling dynasties. Bappa Rawal and Eklingji, the siege of Chittor in 1303, Hammir's recovery of the fort, Rana Kumbha's forts and Victory Tower, and Rana Sanga's rise and defeat at Khanwa: the story of medieval Mewar for RAS. 4 min read
  7. 7Maharana Pratap and HaldighatiMaharana Pratap refused to accept Mughal suzerainty when almost every other Rajput ruler had. Haldighati in 1576 did not end his resistance; from the hills of Mewar he fought on, recovered most of his territory, and died at Chavand in 1597. The facts, the legends, the people around him, and how to write about him in RAS. 4 min read
  8. 8The Rathores of MarwarRao Jodha built Mehrangarh on a rocky ridge in 1459 and founded Jodhpur; his son Bika founded Bikaner; Maldeo almost defeated Sher Shah; Chandrasen defied Akbar; and Durgadas Rathore kept Marwar's independence alive against Aurangzeb. The Rathores of Marwar and Bikaner — rulers, battles and legacies for RAS. 4 min read
  9. 9The Kachhwahas of Amber and JaipurThe Kachhwahas of Amber were the first major Rajput house to ally with Akbar, and they rose with the Mughal empire — Man Singh governed provinces from Kabul to Bengal, Mirza Raja Jai Singh negotiated with Shivaji, and Sawai Jai Singh II built Jaipur and its astronomical observatory. The dynasty, its achievements and its city, for RAS. 4 min read
  10. 10Rajput–Mughal relationsAkbar turned the Rajputs from rivals into partners of empire — through war where necessary, but mostly through alliance, marriage, high office and respect for local autonomy. Mewar held out until 1615. Under Aurangzeb, the partnership frayed. The phases, the policies, the exceptions and the debates, for RAS. 4 min read
  11. 11The hill forts of RajasthanSix of Rajasthan's forts — Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber and Jaisalmer — together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond them lie Mehrangarh, Junagarh, Taragarh, Lohagarh and dozens more. How Rajasthan's forts were classified, what makes each famous, and how RAS asks about them. 4 min read
  12. 12Temples, stepwells and havelisThe marble lacework of Dilwara, Ranakpur's forest of 1,444 pillars, the sculpted walls of Kiradu, the geometric plunge of Abhaneri's Chand Baori, and the painted havelis of Shekhawati — Rajasthan's architecture beyond its forts. Styles, builders, dates and features for RAS. 4 min read

New Rajasthan History & Culture guides are added regularly. Back to all RAS guides