Overview
Rajsamand is a district in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is named after Rajsamand Lake, a large artificial reservoir built in the seventeenth century by Maharana Raj Singh I of Mewar. The district headquarters is located at the town of Rajsamand, also known as Kankroli–Rajnagar. The district was carved out of the larger Udaipur district on 10 April 1991.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Region | Mewar |
| Headquarters | Rajsamand |
| Formed | 10 April 1991 |
| Division | Udaipur division |
| Named after | Rajsamand Lake |
Geography
Rajsamand district lies in the Mewar region of southern Rajasthan and is traversed by parts of the Aravalli Range. The terrain is a mix of hills, plateaus and plains, with the Banas river system draining much of the area. The district is bordered by Ajmer and Bhilwara districts to the north and east, Chittorgarh and Udaipur to the south, and Pali to the west.
Rajsamand Lake, from which the district takes its name, was constructed by Maharana Raj Singh I between 1662 and 1676 by damming the Gomati river. The embankment is faced with marble and includes the Nauchowki pavilions, on which is inscribed the Raj Prashasti, regarded as one of the longest stone inscriptions in India.
Administration
The district forms part of the Udaipur division. It is administered by a District Collector and is divided into several tehsils and sub-divisions, including Rajsamand, Nathdwara, Amet, Bhim, Deogarh, Kumbhalgarh, Railmagra and Khamnor. Local rural administration is carried out through panchayat samitis and gram panchayats, while urban areas are governed by municipal bodies in towns such as Rajsamand, Nathdwara, Amet and Deogarh.
History
The area corresponding to present-day Rajsamand district was historically part of the kingdom of Mewar, ruled by the Sisodia Rajputs of Udaipur. Several sites of major historical importance lie within the district:
- Kumbhalgarh: A fifteenth-century hill fort built by Maharana Kumbha, with one of the longest continuous fortification walls in the world. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
- Haldighati: The mountain pass near Khamnor where the Battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576 between Maharana Pratap and the Mughal forces of Akbar led by Raja Man Singh.
- Nathdwara: Site of the Shrinathji temple, established in the late seventeenth century when the icon of Shrinathji was brought from Govardhan to Mewar for safekeeping. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centres of the Pushtimarg sect of Vaishnavism.
The district was constituted in 1991 by separating the tehsils of Rajsamand, Nathdwara, Kumbhalgarh, Amet, Deogarh and Bhim from Udaipur district.
Economy
The economy of Rajsamand combines agriculture, mining and manufacturing with religious and heritage tourism. The district is one of India's principal centres of marble mining and processing, with extensive deposits around Rajsamand, Morwad and Kelwa; the marble used in many Indian monuments has historically come from this belt. Other important industries include zinc and lead mining at Rajpura-Dariba operated by Hindustan Zinc, cement production and traditional handicrafts such as Pichhwai paintings of Nathdwara.
Agriculture is largely rainfed, with maize, wheat, barley, pulses and oilseeds being the major crops. Dairying and livestock rearing also form an important part of the rural economy.
Demographics and culture
The population is predominantly Hindu, with significant communities of Rajputs, Brahmins, Jains, Bhils, Meenas and other groups. Mewari, a dialect of Rajasthani, is the principal spoken language, while Hindi is used for official and educational purposes. The cultural life of the district is shaped by the traditions of Mewar, including folk music, miniature painting and Vaishnava devotional practices centred on Nathdwara.
Transport
The district is connected by NH 58 (formerly NH 8) which links Udaipur with Ajmer and passes through Nathdwara and Rajsamand town. Mavli Junction in neighbouring Udaipur district is the nearest major railway hub, while Maharana Pratap Airport at Dabok (Udaipur) is the closest airport. State highways link Rajsamand with Bhilwara, Pali and Chittorgarh.
Notable places
- Rajsamand Lake and the Nauchowki marble pavilions
- Kumbhalgarh Fort and Wildlife Sanctuary
- Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara
- Haldighati and Chetak Samadhi
- Dwarkadhish Temple, Kankroli
- Charbhuja Temple, Garhbor
- Parshuram Mahadev cave temple
Related topics
- Mewar
- Udaipur division
- Districts of Rajasthan
- Maharana Pratap
- Maharana Kumbha
- Hill Forts of Rajasthan
References
- Wikidata entity: Q596693
- Government of Rajasthan, official district portal of Rajsamand
- Census of India, district handbooks for Rajsamand