- In ancient times, Rajasthan was divided into several small territories and janapadas (clans), identified by geographical names or the dominant caste, such as Marwar, Mewar, etc.
- These janapadas emerged as Aryan tribes merged smaller settlements and established their own states. They included Maru, Jaangal, Matsya, Shoorsen, Shivi, Arjunayan, Malav and Yodhey.
- Over time, some janapadas grew in power and their names came to identify broader regions, such as Marwar, Mewar, Hadauti, Dhundhad, and Mewat. Rajasthan's diverse history is
2. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
A student of Chittorgarh district’s small village
Bhatoli was looking at Rajasthan map hung on the
wall. He asked a question to his teacher- sir, if the
name of our state is Rajasthan then why it is called
Mewar. My maternal uncle lived in Jodhpur and he
says he lives in Marwar, why it is so?
Teacher said- These Mewar and Marwar are the
ancient names of our region. Rajasthan was not
the same political unit in the olden times, as we
3. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
see today. In ancient times Rajasthan was divided
into different Janpadas and territories.
These Janapadas and territories were known by
the name of geographical place or by the name of
the caste residing there, like Jaangal, Maru,
Arjunayan, Shivi, Mevat, Hadauti etc.
5. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
In ancient India Arayans merged small towns and
built their respective states and Janapadas. Many
Janapadas of Rajasthan are mentioned in
Mahabharat and ‘Samhita’ texts.
6. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
MARU
Maru region is mentioned in all our mythological
books like Ramayan, Charak Samhita, Mahabharat,
Vrihat Samhita including Rigveda.
Maru region was early democracy of Arayans in
which some parts of modern Bikaner, Nagaur,
Churu, Ganganagar, Jaisalmer and Barmer were
included.
7. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
Over the time, with few developments Kuru,
Bhadra and Jangal named Janapadas were formed
in this region.
8. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
JAANGAL
Modern Bikaner, Nagaur and Jodhpur comes in
this Janapada. Its capital was Ahichhatrapur. We
can perceive it from modern Nagaur. According to
mythological sayings Balram and Krishna of Yadav
dynasty passed this region, while they were going
to Dwarika.
9. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
MATSYA
This janapada is mentioned in Rigveda. During
Mahabharat the capital of Matsya Janapada was
Viratnagar (Bairath). This janapada was located
between Alwar and Jaipur. This place is also
mentioned by Chinese traveler Yuvan.
11. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
SHOORSEN
The largest part of Bharatpur, Dhaulpur and
Karauli of Rajasthan was included in this janapada.
The capital of this janapada was Mathura.
In 4th
century B.C. Greek writers had mentioned
Shoorsen or Saursen during the period of
Alexander. Shoorsen kingdom is also mentioned in
‘Bayana Prashashasti’.
12. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
After the attack of Alexander, some castes from
Punjab and Takk eager to keep their freedom,
came and settled in Rajasthan. Among these
Malav, Shivi, Arjunayan etc. castes were famous
for their courage and chivalry.
13. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
SHIVI
Shivi caste established hegemony in east, west and
north divisional region of modern Udaipur. Hence
it is recognised by the name of Shivi Janapada. The
capital of this janapada was Majhmika or
Madhyamika. Its remains are found in village
named Nagri near Chittorgarh. This terrain is also
called Medpaat (Mewar) and Pragvaat.
14. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
ARJUNAYAN
Arjunayan of Bharatpur Alwar region were famous
for their victories. Arjunayans together with
Malavas defeated foreign Chhatrap (Chief of
Province) invaders.
15. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
MALAV
The centre of the power of Malavas was a town
near Jaipur. (in modern times it is in Tonk district)
Over the period they extended to Ajmer, Tonk and
Mewar region. The region of Tonk, Pratapgarh and
Jhalawar comes under Malavdesh. The ‘Yupa’
inscription of conquests of the Malavas is situated
at Nandasa (Bhilwara).
16. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
YODHEY
Yodhey the northern part of Rajasthan was also a
strong republic tribe. Probably Yodhey destructed
Kushan power in northern Rajasthan.
These republic systems remained in their
respective regions till Gupta period. It seems as if
Gupta rulers maintained these in the semi-
dependent form. But after 5th
century Hun
17. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
invasions destroyed the order of republic
Janapadas of this place.
The destruction of this place is mentioned in the
text named ‘Brihadsmahita’. Afterwards these
Janapadas had been known by other names and
boundaries. Like Mewar, Vagad, Hadauti,
Dhundad, Mewat.
18. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
MEWAR
Ancient region of Shivi janapada is called Mewar.
Modern Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand,
Bhilwara districts were in the region of Mewar.
Guhil- Sisodiya dynasty ruled this region from
seventh century to the formation of modern
Rajasthan. Over the time Nagada, Ahar, Kalyanpur,
Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Chavand, Udaipur etc.
19. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
remained the capital of Mewar. The dialect of this
place is Mewari.
20. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
VAGAD
In Rajasthan two regions are known by the name
of Vagad – one Dungarpur, Banswara and second
Narhad, Nohar, Bhadra and region of Kanana near
Pilani. But mainly terrain of Dungarpur, Banswara
of South Rajasthan is called Veggat or Vagad. The
dialect of this place is Vagadi.
21. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
MARWAR
Over the period ancient Maru region had been
called Marwar. Gurjar- Pratihars ruled in seventh
century on its Mandor (Jodhpur) region. Later on
Rathore dynasty established their hegemony on
this region.
22. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
HADAUTI
Modern Bundi and Kota region is called Hadauti. In
ancient times Meena tribe ruled this terrain. Bundi
was named after the name Bunda of Meena
dynasty. Over the period Hada branch of Chauhan
dynasty established its hegemony on this region.
Afterwards this terrain and its dialects is called
Hadauti.
23. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
DHUNDHAD
Jaipur and its adjoining regions were famous by
the name of Dhundhad. In 12th
century Kachwaha
Rajpoot defeated the local tribes of Meena and
Badgurjar and established the foundation of their
kingdom. The language of this place is called
Dhundhadi.
24. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
MEWAT
The region of Alwar-Bharatpur is called Mewat
because of abundance of Mew caste. The famous
hero of Mewaties was Hassan Khan Mewati who
fought against Babar in the war of Khanwa in
favour of Rana Sanga was killed.
Apart from these region there are some more
regions of Rajasthan like Jaisalmer is called Mad or
Vall, Jodhpur’s souther part is called Gurjartra,
25. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
Pratapgarh is called Kanthal and Jahalawar as
Malwa, the region of Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar
called Shekhawati, Beawar-Ajmer region is known
by the name of Merwada.
Rajasthan and its different regions are rich in
dialects, costumes, behavior and traditions due to
geography and circumstances. The moment
teacher finished his talks, Ramesh and his
26. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-2 HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN
companions felt that they had understood all the
regions of Rajasthan. Do you feel the same?