What's in a name? Rajasthan
Ajmer was originally called Ajay Meru, so named after it’s founder, a 11th century Chahmana king Ajaya Deva, the city was mentioned for the first time in Palha’s Pattavali, and is famous for Darga of Mohiuddin Chisti and Mayo College.
Pushkar, famous for it’s Brahma temple. It’s believed that Brahma once visited this place, and impressed by it’s lush green forests, he resided there for a long time. When leaving he threw a lotus on the ground, which made the earth tremble. When the Devatas accompanied by Vishnu , did penance, Brahma appeared before them and told that an Asura called Vajranabha who used to kill little children, was waiting there to attack the Devatas. But the lotus killed him, and hence that place would be called Pushkara, a sanctifying holy place. The place is holy for Sikhs too, with Gurudwaras dedicated to Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.
Bhilwara , the textile city of Rajasthan, is believed to have got it’s name from the Bhiladi coins minted here. While another theory states that the city got it’s name from the Bhil tribes who lived around here, and assisted Maharana Pratap in his fight against the Mughals.
Nagaur famous for it’s fort, was called as Ahichhatrapur in ancient times. The current name is believed to have come from the Nagavanshi Kshatriyas, who took shelter here. It was later ruled by the Paramar rulers for a long time. Tonk is believed to have got it’s name from a Brahmin named Tunkau in the 12th century, famous for Bisalpur dam and Bisaldeo temple.
Bharatpur is named after Bharat, the brother of Shri Rama, it was founded and built by the great Jat ruler Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. The princely state was formed as a result of the Jat revolts against the Mughals, it was originally a part of Mewat under the Khanzadas, from 1372 to 1527 AD, before the Jats broke away.
Sawai Madhopur is named after it’s founder Sawai Madho Singh I, the ruler of Amer, younger son of Sawai Jai Singh II. The city was established in 1763, and is a well planned city known for it’s forts and palaces. The world famous Ranthambore National Park is located near by.
Bikaner is named after it’s founder Rao Bika, the 5th son of Rao Jodha, who had founded Jodhpur city. He had conquered the Jangladesh region, subduing the local Bhatti chieftains, the city he built prospered due to it lying on the trade route between Gujarat and Central Asia, and also being a fresh water oasis in the barren desert.
Sri Ganganagar was established by Maharaja Ganga Singh, was part of Bikaner princely state. It’s said to be one of the first planned modern cities in India. Hanumangarh was originally called Bhatner, and was the kingdom of the Bhatti Rajputs. When it was captured by Maharaja Surat Singh Rathore of Bikaner state, he renamed it as Hanumangarh, as it was a Tuesday, the auspicious day of Hanuman.
Alwar is believed to have got it’s name from the Salva tribe, originally called Salwapur, then Salwar. Another theory states that it comes from it’s ancient name Aravalpur, the city of the Aravallis, while one more theory states that it gets it’s name from Raja Alawal Khan, the Khanzada ruler of Mewat who had captured the city. As per studies of Maharaja Jai Singh, it got it’s name from one of it’s older rulers Maharaja Alaghraj, who founded it as Alpur in 1106.
Dausa gets it’s name from a Sanskrit word Dhau Sa, meaning beautiful like heaven, was part of princely state of Jaipur, which itself gets it’s name from it’s founder Sawai Jai Singh. The Pink City was built by a Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, using principles of Vastu and Shilpa Shastra.
Barmer was previously called as Malani after Rawal Malinath Rathore, it’s current name comes from it’s founder ruler Bahada Rao, was initially called Bahadmer which in due course became Barmer. Jaisalmer famous for the Sonar Qila( Golden Fort), gets it’s name from it’s founder Rawal Jaisal, while Pokhran where India’s first nuclear test was conducted, gets it’s name from a Rajasthani term meaning “Place surrounded by 5 salt ranges” due to the salt ranges around it.
Baran was originally called Varah Nagri, Annapurna Nagri, it was under the rule of Yaudheya, Tomar rulers who ruled from Barankot in current Bulandshahr district of UP. Bundi was previously called as Bunda Ka Naal, referring to the narrow passageways between the hills around here.
Jhalawar was founded by then Dewan of Kota, Jhala Zalim Singh, who developed the area here as a township, as well as a military cantonment in 1791 AD. Banswara name means “Bamboo City”, mainly due to the abundance of bamboo in the forests here.
Chittorgarh was originally called Chitrakuta, as the fort here is believed to have been built by Chitrangada Mori, while Dungarpur is named after Dungaria, a Bhil Chieftain, who was killed by ruler Rawal Bir Singh.
Rajsamand gets it’s name from the massive lake here, built by Rana Raj Singh of Mewar.
Udaipur the city of lakes and palaces, is named after it’s founder Rana Udai Singh II, father of the legendary Maharana Pratap, who founded it in 1559 after he had escaped from Chittorgarh. Jalore was originally called Jabalipura, after the great sage Jabala, the famous Marwari horse comes from here.
The famous hill station of Mt.Abu, was referred to as Arbudaranya, forest of Arbuda, a famous Rishi. As per another story, a serpent called Arbuda, saved the life of Nandi, Shiva’s mount, here on a mountain, which accounts for it’s name.