Alwar
Alwar | |
---|---|
City | |
![]() Scenic view of Alwar city (RJ) from Bala Qila | |
Nickname: Scotland of Rajasthan | |
Coordinates:27°32′59″N76°38′08″E/ 27.549780°N 76.635539°E | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Rajasthan |
District | Alwar |
Government | |
• Type | Municipal Corporation |
• Body | Alwar Municipal Corporation |
Area | |
• City | 250 km2(100 sq mi) |
Elevation | 268 m (879 ft) |
Population (2024) | |
• City | 445,000 |
• Rank | 8th in Rajasthan |
• Density | 1,800/km2(4,600/sq mi) |
•Metro | 483,000 |
Demonym | Alwariya |
Languages | |
• Official | Hindi |
• Regional | AhirwatiRajasthani, Mewati |
Time zone | UTC+5:30(IST) |
PIN | 301001, 301002 |
ISO 3166 code | RJ-IN |
Vehicle registration | RJ-02 |
Website | Alwar Municipal Corporation Alwar District |
Alwar(RajasthaniPronunciation:[əlʋəɾ]) is a city located in India'sNational Capital Regionand the administrative headquarters ofAlwar Districtin the state ofRajasthan.It is located 150 km south ofDelhiand 150 km north ofJaipur.
Etymology
[edit]There are several theories about the derivation of the name Alwar.Alexander Cunningham,the British Indian archeologist, believed that the city derived its name from the Salva tribe and was originally Salwapur, then Salwar, Halawar and eventually Alwar, According to another school it was known as Aravalpur or the city ofAravali.
Some others hold that city is named afterKhanzada Alawal Khan Mewati(theMuslim Khanzadaprince who wrested Alwar from Nikumbh Rajputs)[citation needed].A research conducted during the reign of Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar revealed that Maharaja Alaghraj, second son of Maharaja Kakil ofAmber.ruled the area in the eleventh century and his territory extended up to the present city of Alwar. He founded the city of Alpur in 1106 Vikrami Samvat (1049 A.D.) after his own name which eventually became Alwar[citation needed].It was formerly spelt as Ulwar but in the reign of Jai Singh the spelling was changed to Alwar[citation needed].Some sources say that the name Alwar comes from the Persian word timber.[1][better source needed]
History
[edit]Ancient history
[edit]The ancient name of Alwar isSalvaor Salwa.[2][3]Alwarwas a part of theMatsya KingdomRuled by Meenas, one of the 16 ancientMahājanapadas.[4]In lateVedic texts(such as theJaiminiya Brahmana), theSalvaorSalvi tribeis described as a non-Vedic tribe that occupiedKurukshetraand conquered theKuru Kingdom[5]
The Salvas
[edit]The Salvas settled along theYamunariver and the Alwar province ofRajasthanafter attacking theKuru kingdom,and they later acceptedVedic cultureby the end of the Vedic era as they converged with the remaining Kurus and theSurasenamahajanapada, nearMatsya kingdom.[6]
Medieval history
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/2_The_Darbar_of_Raja_Bakhtawar_Singh_of_Alwar._alwar%2C_1810%2C_San_Diego.jpg/220px-2_The_Darbar_of_Raja_Bakhtawar_Singh_of_Alwar._alwar%2C_1810%2C_San_Diego.jpg)
Alwar was ruled by multiple dynasties. Notable dynasties included theJadauns of Braj,Nikumbh Rajputs,theKhanzada Rajputs,theBadgujar Rajputs,and theNaruka Rajputswho took the control over this area. TheMaratha Empirealso ruled this region for a short period. Rao RajaPratap Singh Naruka,captured the Alwar Fort from the Jat kingdom ofBharatpur State,and laid down the foundation for modern day Alwar.
Hemchandra Vikramaditya(Hemu), born in Machari, Rajgarh, a village in Alwar, was a Hindu emperor of North India during the 16th century. This was a period when the Mughals and Afghans were vying for power in the region. Hemu captured Delhi on 7 October 1556 after defeating theMughalforces in the Battle of Delhi in the Tughlaqabad area in Delhi, and became thede factoemperor. He won twenty-two battles in succession and became the last Hindu emperor of Delhi. In 1556, after his defeat in theSecond Battle of Panipat,he was executed and Mughal regime was restored in North India.
Colonial era
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Neemrana_Fortress%2C_Alwar_district.jpg/220px-Neemrana_Fortress%2C_Alwar_district.jpg)
Alwar State,aprincely stateestablished in 1770, was established by a KachwahaRajputnamedPratap Singh Narukawho was earlier ajagirdarof "Dhai Gaon" (two-and-a-half villages) near Machari. His successor, Bakhtawar Singh Naruka, was defeated after launching an armed incursion into neighbouringJaipur State(ruled by their Kachwaha seniors, erstwhile overlords of his predecessor) and being forced to accept the consequent treaty mediated byEast India Companyprohibiting him from political relations with other states without the consent of the colonial British.[7]According to the "Gazetteer of Ulwar" published by theBritish raj,Alwar State was subdivided into four regions:
- Rath region:currentBehrorandNeemrana,was ruled by Lah Chauhan Rajputzamindarwho had descended fromPrithviraj Chauhan.[8]Sahesh Mal was a son of Raja Sangat Singh Chauhan. Sangat was the great-grandson of Chahir Deo Chauhan, brother of famous kingPrithviraj Chauhan.[9]In accordance with the pledge by the Raja Sangat Singh Chauhan to his younger queen for marrying her in his old age, her two sons from him were bestowed the Rath area and its headquarter ofMandhannear Neemrana.[8]King Sangat Singh Chauhan's 19 sons from the older queen set out to seek their fortunes.[8]Of the 19 brothers, Harsh Dev Chauhan and Sahesh Mal Chauhan arrived in theGurgaon district.[8]Lah Chauhan, the ruler of Rath, was a son of raja Sangat Singh Chauhan by the youngerRaniwhose two sons became inheritors of Raja Sangat Singh's territory of Rath with its headquarter at Mandhan when other 19 sons from the other wives were required to quit the kingdom as per the promise of Raja Sangat.[8][10][11][12]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Under_construction_residential_Buildings.jpg/220px-Under_construction_residential_Buildings.jpg)
- Wai region:currentBansurand Thana Ghazi, was ruled byShekhawatrajput zamindars.
- Narukhand region:currentRajgarhandLaxmangarh,was ruled byNarukaclan of Rajputs same as that of the ruling kings of the Alwar State
- Mewatregion:currentPalwalandNuhdistricts, had the highest population of theMeoMuslims.
Post-independence
[edit]Alwar acceded to thedominion of Indiafollowing theindependence of Indiain 1947. On 18 March 1948, the state merged with three neighbouring princely states (Bharatpur,DholpurandKarauli) to form theMatsya Union.On 15 May 1949, it was united with neighbouringprincely states[which?]and the territory ofAjmerto form the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan. Alwar was designated as part of theNational Capital Region,resulting in additional development projects including rapid-rail to Delhi and drinking water improvements.[13]The military cantonment of Itarana lies on the outskirts of Alwar.
Tourist attractions
[edit]Fairy Queen
[edit]The Fairy Queen, a national treasure (cultural artifact) of India and the world's oldest working locomotive engine (c. 1855 CE),[14]operates as a touristluxury trainbetween Delhi and Alwar. In 1998 it was listed in theGuinness Book of Recordsas the world's oldest steam locomotive in regular service. TheFairy Queenruns on the same route as thePalace on Wheels,thetourist trainlaunched in 1982, and was awarded the National Tourism Award in 1999.
Bala Qila
[edit]Bala Qila (lit. "High Fort" ), also known as Alwar Fort, is a fort approximately 300 meters above the city, and founded, originally constructed by Maharaja ofParmarRajputsin 928 CE, and repaired by the 15th-centuryKhanzada RajputrulerHasan Khan Mewatiand built on the foundations of a 10th-century fort.[15]Situated on theAravalli Range,the fort is 5 kilometres long and about 1.5 kilometres wide with turrets, a large gate, a temple, and a residential area.[16]
![Vinay Vilas Mahal (City Palace) Alwar](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Vinay_Vilas_Mahal_%28City_Palace%29_Alwar-001.jpg/220px-Vinay_Vilas_Mahal_%28City_Palace%29_Alwar-001.jpg)
City Palace
[edit]The City Palace, also known as Vinay Vilas Mahal, built in 1793 CE by Raja Bakhtawar Singh, blends the Rajputana and Islamic architectural styles and has marble pavilions on lotus-shaped bases in its courtyard. The foundations of the City Palace, was constructed by Maharaja ofParmarRajputsin 928 CE. The palace housesGovernment Museum, Alwarwith a collection of manuscripts, including one depicting EmperorBabur’s life, Ragamala paintings and miniatures, and historic swords that once belonged toMuhammad Ghori,EmperorAkbarandAurangzeb;and a golden Durbar hall. This palace that once belonged to the Maharaja (lit. Great Ruler) has now been converted into a District Administrative office also housing the District Court.[17]
Sariska Tiger Reserve
[edit]The Sariska Tiger Reserve, aNational ParkandTiger Reserve,is located in theAravali hillsonly a few kilometres away from Alwar. Declared a Wildlife reserve in 1955 and a National Park in 1982, it is the first reserve in the world to have successfully relocated tigers. The sanctuary, which became a part of India'sProject Tigerin 1978, also preserves other species including rare birds and plants.[18]
Bhangarh Fort
[edit]Bhangarh Fort, branded as the fourth most haunted palace in the world, and the most haunted palace in Asia, is a 17th-century fort built byBhagwant Dasfor his younger sonMadho Singh I.[disputed(for: Identity of father/son are being discussed elsewhere) –discuss]The fort, a monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and is known for its association to legends and paranormal activities,[19]is a tourist attraction for visitors across the world.[20]
Siliserh Lake
[edit]Siliserh Lake is 19th century lake created by Maharaja Vijay Singh of Alwar, situated 8 miles southwest of Alwar.
Hill Fort Kesroli
[edit]Hill Fort Kesroli, a 14th-century fort, has now been converted into and is conserved as a heritage hotel.[21]
Transport
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Alwar_railway_station_04.jpg/220px-Alwar_railway_station_04.jpg)
As of 2019, the most common modes of medium-distance transport in Alwar are government-owned services such as flights, as well as privately operated lok pariwahan buses, taxis and auto rickshaws. Bus services operate from the Alwar old Bus Station which is 5 km away from the Alwar railway junction. In addition to this it is also planned that a metro rail system from Delhi to Alwar via Behror route will be started. The nearest airports to Alwar areIndira Gandhi International Airportin Delhi (143 km away),Jaipur International Airport(150 km away), and an airport currently under development in Bhiwadi airport (90 km away).Alwar Junction railway station,on the Delhi–Jaipur line, is connected with Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai. Alwar is connected by roads from major cities of Rajasthan and nearby states.[22][23][24]
Geography
[edit]Alwar is located at27°34′N76°36′E/ 27.57°N 76.6°E.It has an average elevation of 271 m (889 ft). The Ruparail River is a major river near the city. Alwar is fairly rich in mineral wealth; it produces marble, granite, feldspar, dolomite, quartz, limestone, soap stone, barites, copper clay, copper ore and pyrophylite.[25]
Climate
[edit]Alwar has ahot semi-arid climate(Köppen climate classificationBSh) with long, extremely hot summers and short, mild to warm winters.The climate here is considered to be a local steppe climate. The average maximum temperature in the summers ranges between 41 °C (106 °F) to average minimum of 28 °C (82 °F). The winter temperature falls in the range average high of 21 °C (70 °F) of to average low 8 °C (46 °F). Alwar experiences a short monsoon. The average annual rainfall is about 67 cm which mostly falls in July & August due to monsoon.[26]The highest temperature ever recorded in Alwar is 50.6 °C (123.1 °F) on 10 May 1956 & lowest is −0.8 °C (30.6 °F) recorded on 12 January 1967. It had record of highest temperature ever recorded of India till 2016, when a townPhalodiinJodhpur districtof Rajasthan recorded 51.0 °C (123.8 °F) on 19 May 2016.
Climate data for Alwar (1991-2020, extremes 1956–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 29.0 (84.2) |
35.0 (95.0) |
39.9 (103.8) |
46.4 (115.5) |
50.6 (123.1) |
47.3 (117.1) |
43.8 (110.8) |
41.2 (106.2) |
40.1 (104.2) |
40.6 (105.1) |
35.6 (96.1) |
29.7 (85.5) |
50.6 (123.1) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 20.5 (68.9) |
24.5 (76.1) |
30.8 (87.4) |
37.2 (99.0) |
40.1 (104.2) |
38.4 (101.1) |
33.4 (92.1) |
31.7 (89.1) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.6 (90.7) |
27.7 (81.9) |
22.5 (72.5) |
31.0 (87.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 13.9 (57.0) |
17.5 (63.5) |
23.4 (74.1) |
29.7 (85.5) |
33.3 (91.9) |
33.1 (91.6) |
29.6 (85.3) |
28.1 (82.6) |
28.0 (82.4) |
26.0 (78.8) |
20.9 (69.6) |
15.7 (60.3) |
24.9 (76.9) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.6 (45.7) |
10.7 (51.3) |
15.7 (60.3) |
21.5 (70.7) |
25.9 (78.6) |
27.9 (82.2) |
26.4 (79.5) |
25.2 (77.4) |
23.8 (74.8) |
19.5 (67.1) |
14.5 (58.1) |
9.5 (49.1) |
19.0 (66.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | −0.8 (30.6) |
2.4 (36.3) |
7.3 (45.1) |
11.2 (52.2) |
15.7 (60.3) |
20.7 (69.3) |
20.6 (69.1) |
20.1 (68.2) |
16.8 (62.2) |
12.0 (53.6) |
6.1 (43.0) |
1.4 (34.5) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 14 (0.6) |
17 (0.7) |
12 (0.5) |
12 (0.5) |
19 (0.7) |
72 (2.8) |
190 (7.5) |
223 (8.8) |
86 (3.4) |
15 (0.6) |
7 (0.3) |
5 (0.2) |
672 (26.6) |
Average rainy days | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 61 |
Averagerelative humidity(%) | 61 | 52 | 38 | 24 | 27 | 43 | 69 | 76 | 64 | 46 | 48 | 56 | 50 |
Mean dailysunshine hours | 8.8 | 9.7 | 10.6 | 11.5 | 12.1 | 11.8 | 9.4 | 8.4 | 9.3 | 10.1 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 10.0 |
Source 1:India Meteorological Department[27] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Climate Data[28] |
Demographics
[edit]Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1891 | 52,400 | — |
1901 | 56,700 | +8.2% |
1911 | 41,300 | −27.2% |
1921 | 44,800 | +8.5% |
1941 | 54,100 | +20.8% |
1951 | 57,900 | +7.0% |
1961 | 72,700 | +25.6% |
1971 | 100,800 | +38.7% |
1981 | 140,000 | +38.9% |
1991 | 210,100 | +50.1% |
2001 | 266,203 | +26.7% |
2011 | 341,422 | +28.3% |
Source:[29] |
At the time of the 2011 census, the population of Alwar city and Alwar district were 341,422 and 3,674,179 respectively, withHindusrepresenting 90.7% of the population,Muslimsrepresenting 4.3%,Sikhsrepresenting 2.6%,Jainsrepresenting 2.1%, and the remaining 1.3% belonging to other religions.[30][31]
Education
[edit]Raj Rishi Bhartrihari Matsya Universitywas established in 2012–13. Alwar has several schools such as Alwar Public School, Shri Oswal Jain Senior Secondary School, St. Anselm's Senior Secondary School,Kendriya Vidyalaya,Adinath Public School, Knowledge City School, Chinar Public School, Lords International School, Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Step By Step Senior Secondary School, Raath International School, National Academy and Silver Oak, and colleges (Raj Rishi college, Siddhi Vinayak College, Presidency College, Government Law College, KCRI College, IET College). TheEmployee's State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical Collegeis constructed with a whooping INR 800 crore budget and started operating from 2017.[32]
Notable people
[edit]- Saurabh Singh Shekhawat
- Sakshi Tanwar
- Jitendra Kumar
- Imran Khan[33][34]
- Aastha Chaudhary
- Bhuvneshwari Kumari
- Mahesh Sharma
- Jitendra Singh
- Alok Bhargava
References
[edit]- ^Ram, Maya (1964).Rajasthan District Gazetteer Alwar.Jaipur. p. 1.
{{cite book}}
:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^Mallik, Swetabja (15 July 2019)."History and Heritage: Examining Their Interplay in India".International Conference on Archaeology, History and Heritage. The International Institute of Knowledge Management - TIIKM: 01–11.doi:10.17501/26510243.2019.1101.
{{cite journal}}
:Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^Rajasthan (India). Chief Town Planner & Architectural Adviser. (1982).Draft master plan for Alwar, 1981-2001.The Chief Town Planner & Architectural Adviser. p. 8.OCLC1000383312.
- ^"History of Alwar, Origin of Alwar, Alwar History In Rajasthan India".Indiasite. Archived fromthe originalon 27 June 2012.Retrieved7 March2013.
- ^Witzel, Michael (1997),"Early Sanskritization Origins and Development of the Kuru State",Recht, Staat und Verwaltung im klassischen Indien,Schriften des Historischen Kollegs, München: Oldenbourg, pp. 27–52,doi:10.1524/9783486594355.27,ISBN978-3-486-56193-7,retrieved26 September2020
- ^Raychaudhuri, Hemchandra, 1892-1957. (1997).Political history of ancient India: from the accession of Parikshit to the extinction of the Gupta dynasty.Oxford University Press. pp. 61, 736.ISBN0-19-564376-3.OCLC38008217.
{{cite book}}
:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^public domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Alwar".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 755. One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the
- ^abcdeHenry Miers Elliot andJohn Beames,Memoirs on the History, Folk-lore, and Distribution of the Races,Volume 1.
- ^Henry Miers ElliotandJohn Beames,1869, Memoirs on the history, folk-lore, and distribution of the races of the North Western Provinces of India: being an amplified edition of the original supplemental glossary of Indian terms. Trübner & co. p.64 and 82.
- ^Henry Miers Elliot,Supplemental Glossary of Terms Used in the North Western Provinces
- ^Henry Miers Elliot,Supplement to the Glossary of Indian Terms, A.-J
- ^Panjab Notes and Queries,Volume 1
- ^"Bharatpur becomes NCR; Delhi Metro to chug into Alwar soon".daily.bhaskar.Archivedfrom the original on 29 November 2014.Retrieved19 November2014.
- ^"World's oldest engine gathers fresh steam",The Times of India,12 February 2017,archivedfrom the original on 5 June 2017
- ^"Alwar Tourism: Places to Visit in Alwar - Rajasthan Tourism".tourism.rajasthan.gov.in.Archivedfrom the original on 11 December 2017.Retrieved10 December2017.
- ^Iyengar, Abha (4 May 2017)."Delhi to Alwar: Among the ruins".livemint /.Archivedfrom the original on 10 December 2017.Retrieved10 December2017.
- ^Safvi, Rana (28 May 2017)."In a state of neglect".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Archivedfrom the original on 30 April 2018.Retrieved10 December2017.
- ^"Sariska National Park - complete detail - updated".natureconservation.in.Archivedfrom the original on 10 December 2017.Retrieved10 December2017.
- ^Safvi, Rana (12 November 2017)."Bhangarh: the most haunted fort in India".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Archivedfrom the original on 30 April 2018.Retrieved10 December2017.
- ^"The Times of India: Latest News India, World & Business News, Cricket & Sports, Bollywood".The Times of India.Archived fromthe originalon 18 July 2013.Retrieved19 November2014.
- ^"Ruins revisited".The Hindu.29 July 2004.
- ^"Delhi-Alwar rapid rail: Phase 1 corridor to be connected with Delhi Metro, bus stand, railway station!".The Financial Express.15 April 2019.Retrieved4 September2019.
- ^"All RRTS stations to have platform screen doors".Moneycontrol.11 August 2019.Retrieved4 September2019.
- ^Shah, Narendra (13 August 2019)."Regional Rail stations to have platform screen doors".Metro Rail News.Retrieved4 September2019.
- ^"Welcome to Alwar, The Gateway of Rajastan > Mineral Resources".Alwar.nic.in. Archived fromthe originalon 19 June 2014.Retrieved19 November2014.
- ^"Alwar Weather & Climate | Temperature & Weather By Month".en.climate-data.org.Retrieved23 January2023.
- ^ "Climatological Tables 1991-2020"(PDF).India Meteorological Department.Retrieved20 December2022.
- ^"Alwar Weather & Climate | Temperature & Weather By Month".en.climate-data.org.Retrieved23 January2023.
- ^"Historical Census of India".Populstat.info. Archived fromthe originalon 17 February 2013.Retrieved19 November2014.
- ^"Alwar District Population Census 2011, Rajasthan literacy sex ratio and density".census2011.co.in.Archivedfrom the original on 16 February 2013.Retrieved6 April2013.
- ^"Alwar City Population Census 2011-2021 | Rajasthan".Archivedfrom the original on 4 November 2016.Retrieved30 July2016.Alwar City Population Census 2011
- ^"अलवर को इसी वर्ष मिलेगा मेडिकल कॉलेज, 2017 में होंगे प्रवेश".Patrika.
- ^"Meet PM Modi's 'Imran Khan', a teacher who donated 52 educational apps to MHRD".
- ^"Mr. Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati: Jamnalal Bajaj Award 2019 for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development".
Bibliography
[edit]- Powlett, P. W. (1838).Gazetteer of Ulwur (Alwar).Retrieved19 November2014.
External links
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