Ajmer district is an administrative district in the central part of the state of Rajasthan, India. The district takes its name from its headquarters, the historic city of Ajmer, which lies in a valley flanked by the Aravalli range. Ajmer is one of the older administrative units of Rajasthan and is widely known for its religious, educational and military significance.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Headquarters | Ajmer |
| Region | Ajmer division, central Rajasthan |
| Major language | Hindi, Rajasthani (Marwari, Dhundhari) |
| Terrain | Aravalli hills, semi-arid plains |
The district lies in the geographical heart of Rajasthan, with the Aravalli range running through it. The terrain is a mix of rocky hills and undulating semi-arid plains. Ana Sagar Lake and Pushkar Lake are among the prominent water bodies, the latter located near the pilgrimage town of Pushkar. The climate is broadly semi-arid, with hot summers, a short monsoon and cool winters.
Ajmer district forms part of the Ajmer division of Rajasthan and serves as the divisional headquarters. It is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, with subdivisions, tehsils and panchayat samitis handling local administration. The district is represented in the Lok Sabha through the Ajmer parliamentary constituency and in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly through several constituencies including Ajmer North, Ajmer South, Pushkar, Kishangarh, Nasirabad, Beawar and Masuda.
The city of Ajmer was founded in the medieval period and is traditionally associated with the Chahamana (Chauhan) ruler Ajayaraja II. The hill fortress of Taragarh overlooks the city. After the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192, the region passed under the Delhi Sultanate and later became an important centre under the Mughal Empire, with Akbar building a fortified palace, the Akbari Fort, in the city.
Ajmer became a part of British India in 1818 following treaties with the Marathas, and from 1871 it was administered as the small province of Ajmer-Merwara, distinct from the surrounding princely states of Rajputana. After Indian independence, Ajmer continued as a separate Part-C state until the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, when it was merged with Rajasthan and reorganised as a district.
The district is home to the Dargah Sharif of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, one of the most visited Muslim shrines in South Asia, drawing pilgrims of multiple faiths during the annual Urs. Pushkar, located a short distance from Ajmer city, is among the few sites in India with a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma and is the venue of the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. Other notable sites include the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra mosque, the Jain temple known as Soniji Ki Nasiyan, and Taragarh Fort.
The district has a mixed economy. Kishangarh is internationally recognised as a major centre for the marble trade and processing. Beawar has a long-standing industrial base including cement, mineral and textile units. Agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism—centred on Ajmer city, Pushkar and the Dargah—are also significant economic activities. Handicrafts, including embroidery and metalwork, are produced in several towns of the district.
Ajmer is an established educational centre in Rajasthan. Institutions located in the district include Mayo College, founded in 1875; the Mayo College Girls' School; Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University; the Government College, Ajmer; and the regional office of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The district is also known for the Ajmer