Overview
Alwar district is an administrative district in the north-eastern part of the Indian state of Rajasthan. The district takes its name from its headquarters, the city of Alwar, and lies in the historical region of Mewat, close to the National Capital Region (NCR). It is bounded by the states of Haryana to the north and east, and by the Rajasthan districts of Bharatpur, Dausa, Jaipur and Sikar in other directions.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Headquarters | Alwar |
| Region | Mewat / North-eastern Rajasthan |
| Division | Jaipur division (historically) |
| Major language | Hindi; Mewati and Rajasthani dialects |
Geography
The district lies on the eastern edge of the Aravalli Range, and its terrain consists of rocky hills interspersed with cultivable plains and seasonal streams. The Aravalli ridges run through the district, supporting tracts of dry deciduous forest. The Sariska Tiger Reserve, a protected area for the Bengal tiger and associated wildlife, is located within the district and forms part of Project Tiger.
History
The area corresponding to the present district has a long history of settlement and was part of various polities in northern India, including territories associated with the Matsya kingdom of antiquity. In the medieval period it formed part of the Mewat region under the Khanzada Rajputs and later came under the Mughal administration.
In the 18th century, the territory was consolidated by Pratap Singh, a Naruka Rajput chieftain, who founded the princely state of Alwar around 1770. Alwar State later entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company in 1803 and remained a princely state under the suzerainty of the British Crown until Indian independence. After 1947, Alwar was integrated with the neighbouring princely states of Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli to form the short-lived Matsya Union in 1948, which was subsequently merged into the United State of Rajasthan and ultimately into the modern state of Rajasthan in 1949–1950. Alwar then became one of the districts of Rajasthan.
In 2023, the Government of Rajasthan announced the creation of new districts that involved the reorganisation of parts of Alwar district, including the carving out of areas such as Khairthal-Tijara and Kotputli-Behror, altering the historical boundaries of the district.
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service. For police administration, it is headed by a Superintendent of Police. The district is divided into several tehsils and sub-divisions, and contains numerous gram panchayats along with urban local bodies including the Alwar Municipal Corporation.
Economy
Alwar has an economy that combines agriculture with significant industrial activity, partly because of its proximity to Delhi and the National Capital Region. Major industrial concentrations have developed at Bhiwadi, Neemrana and Khushkhera, which host manufacturing units in automobiles, auto components, electronics, textiles, and consumer goods. The Japanese industrial zone at Neemrana is among the better-known investment clusters in the district. Agriculture is dominated by cereals such as wheat, bajra (pearl millet) and mustard, along with dairying.
Culture and tourism
The district is known for its forts, palaces and stepwells associated with the former princely state. Notable sites include:
- Bala Quila (Alwar Fort), an old hill fort overlooking Alwar city.
- City Palace (Vinay Vilas Mahal) and the adjoining museum and royal cenotaphs.
- Bhangarh Fort, a ruined 17th-century fort widely featured in folklore.
- Siliserh Lake and the lakeside palace.
- Sariska Tiger Reserve, including the Pandupol temple within the reserve.
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and other medieval temple sites in the Aravalli hills.
The district's cultural traditions reflect a blend of Rajasthani and Mewati influences in language, music, dress and cuisine. Mew