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RAJASTHAN
- TRIBAL |
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GENERAL
INFO | TRAVEL INFO | HISTORY
| CITIES | FESTIVALS
| ART & CRAFT | RURAL
LIFE | MAP | MUSEUMS
| WILDLIFE | RELIGION
| PEOPLES | TRIBAL
| CUISINE | DANCE
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| Rajasthan is a
home to many tribes who have very interesting history of
origin, customs and social practices. So much so that even
today they are fart distinct from the 'civilised' society
around them. While a few tribes are medieval in their origin,
mainly due to events in history, there are a few who date their
origin back to one of the oldest prehistoric civilisations in
world viz. the Indus valley civilisation. |
History
From the beginning
of mans presence in the area that is now called Rajasthan,
till around 1400 BC, the Bhil and Mina tribes roamed and ruled the
land. The Aryan invasion, represented by horse drawn chariots
and superior bows and arrows, seems to have tyrannised tribal
migration to the south and the east. Pushed into the natural
hideout forests and the ancient and craggy Aravalli ranges,
the Bhil and the Mina tribes survived more easily. They were respected
by the Sakas, Kusanas, Abhiras, Hunas and others. Quite a
large number of these invaders are now covered by the blanket
term Rajput whose royal lineage stood upon the ruins of the
Gurjara (Pratihara Empire). All too naturally, the warrior-
invaders fitted the Aryan material caste of Kshatriyas which in time
came to be divided into 36 rajputs clans.
The camouflaged
existence of Rajasthans original inhabitants certainly
isolated them from the main stream, keeping them unaware of
the changes. Today, they may be considered a backward people
but that does not, in anyway, call for any pejorative
interpretations of their primitivism.
The various tribes
of Rajasthan are:
Bhils
The bow men of
Rajasthan
Minas
The militant
defenders
Lohars
The nomadic
blacksmiths
Garasias
The fallen
Rajputs
Sahariyas
The jungle
dwellers
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HOW TO GET
THERE Air : Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur lie on
the Indian airlines route that links Delhi to Bombay.
Rail :
Most of Rajasthan is accessible by a network of rail services. An
excellent connection to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, from Delhi is
the Pink City Express (5 hours run) which is a vestibuled, chair-seating
rail service. Other places are also linked by passenger and express
trains. Since rail journeys are usually long because of the distances
involved, it is advisable to carry light snacks and water bottles as most
stations on route do not serve much.
Some important road distances from Jaipur and
best season
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Agra |
240 kms. |
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Ajmer |
131 kms. |
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Alwar |
142 kms. |
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Bikaner |
321 kms. |
October To March |
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Bharatpur |
176 kms. |
October to February |
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Delhi |
261 kms. |
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Jodhpur |
332 kms. |
October to March |
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Jaisalmer |
654 kms. |
October to February |
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Udaipur |
405 kms. |
September to March |
WHAT TO
BUY
The bazaar around Hawa Mahal and Bari Chaupar, known for local crafts. In 1655 The British explorer Terry
remarked of India; 'the natives there show very much ingenuity in their
curious manufactures, as in their silk stuffs which they most artificially
weave, some very neatly mingled with silver or gold or both. They make
likewise excellent carpets, cabinets, boxes, trunks, curiously wrought
within and without, inlaid with elephants teeth or mother of pearl, ebony,
tortoiseshell or wire'. This holds true equally for India today. Visitors
would do well to explore the footpaths and smaller markets.
WHAT TO
WEAR
Woollens during winter and cottons in summer
months. Best season to go from September to March.
CREDIT
CARD American, Citibank. Master Charge Visa, and Diners Club
credit cards are generally accepted by large establishments including
hotels, shops, and airlines. |
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GENERAL
INFO | TRAVEL INFO | HISTORY
| CITIES | FESTIVALS
| ART & CRAFT | RURAL
LIFE | MAP | MUSEUMS
| WILDLIFE | RELIGION
| PEOPLES | TRIBAL
| CUISINE | DANCE
|
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India |
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