Ajmer
About the city
South west of Jaipur, Ajmer is an oasis wrapped in the green hills. The city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till 1193 AD. When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties. Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as well as Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. It is a centre of culture and education, the British chose Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo College a school exclusively for Indian nobility. Ajmer is also the base for visiting Pushkar (11 km.), the abode of Lord Brahma, lying to its west with a temple and a picturesque lake. The Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), devotes throng in large numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake.Ajaipal Chauhan founded Ajmer in the seventh century. He constructed a hill fort "Ajaimeur" or the invincible hill. The Chauhans ruled Ajmer till the 12th century when Prithviraj Chauhan lost Mohammed Ghauri. Thereafter it became a part of the sultanate of Delhi. Ajmer was also favourite residence for the great Mughals. One of the first contacts between the Mughal King Jahangir and Sir Thomas Roe took place here in 1616. The Scindias took over the city in 1818 and then handed it over to the British and it became one of the only part of Rajasthan controlled directly by the East Indian Co. The bus stand in Ajmer is located near the RTDC hotel Khadim. and the railway is further north and most of the hotels are west of the stations. Northeast is the main post office and most of the cities market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further north is a large artificial lake called the Anna Sagar.
Demography
The total population of Ajmer is 21, 80,526. The average sdensity of the population is 256 person per square kilometre. Literacy rate of the city is 65%.The city of Ajmer is famous as a pilgrimage site. It houses the Dargah, or tomb, of the popular 13th-century Sufi Saint, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world throng Ajmer to attend the death anniversary of this great saint every year. The city also boasts of a number of monuments dating back to the Mughal era. The city is also well known for its traditional handicrafts. The city also boasts of a number of monuments dating back to the Mughal era. Ajmer is well- known for its traditional handicrafts industry.
The most important tourist spot in Ajmer is the Dargah or tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. The Ana Sagar Lake and Daulat Bagh Garden are other important sites in the city. Ajmer also boasts of an imposing fort built by Akbar, which also houses the Government Museum within it. The Nasiyan (Red) Jain Temple built in the 19th century is also worth paying a visit to. Ajmer's closest association is with the Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Sahib, the final resting place of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, whose disciples included the Mughal emperors. The town is teeming with other interesting sights as well. Two days are adequate, and an active one day feasible for seeing all this.
This is the finest amalgamation of history and belief. The lanes of Ajmer are lined with structures and monuments that speak stories of this city, which changed so many hands, before settling into a revered pilgrimage site. and once you enter the holy Dargah the fragrance of fresh roses, sandalwood and incense would overpower you. It was once the stronghold of the Chauhan Rajputs, before being taken over by the Mughals and finally the British. and instances of their presence are felt in the elements they endowed this region with - including the interesting Ajmer Museum, the cultivation of fragrant roses for Nur Jahan's attar and the extremely well-known Mayo College. We recommend visiting it at Urs when the faith of devotees reaches the pinnacle and when you're sure to get your wishes granted.
In the north-west of Ajmer lies the Ana Sagar Lake, adjacent to the road leading to Pushkar (11 km). The railway station is at the exact centre, the Tourism Infor-mation Centre right opposite it and the Dargah of Khwaja Chishti about a kilo-metre to the west. The Adhai-Din-ka-Jhonpra is a 5-min walk from the dargah. The Nasiyan Jain Temple is about a kilometre north of the railway station, down Prithviraj Marg. The Taragarh Fort lies to the south-west, about 5 km from town. Autos charge about Rs 200 for a 2-hr trip to the fort and back; taxis about Rs 300.
Private transport is the best for most travellers as the public transport system leaves a lot to be desired. You can rent a car, jeep, or minibus. Tourist taxis, auto rickshaws and RTDC tours are also available. If you take an auto rickshaw insist on the use of the meter. A cheaper mode of travel in the city would be a cycle rickshaw.
Moving Around
Ajmer is a relatively small town and easy enough to get around on foot. However plenty of auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and tongas are available to move around. If you must, rent a private vehicle that comes with experienced drivers-cum-guides.Known to the devout for its Dargah and to culture vultures for its Pushkar fair, Ajmer attracts its fair share of pilgrims and tourists. While the tomb or Dargah of the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti continues to draw hordes for its colourful Urs, the largest and most vibrant cattle fair in the world - Pushkar - showcases culture in an unusual display of animal and craft. and in the midst of this wonderful cultural chaos stands Ajmer's colonial past in the form of the imposing Mayo College. Ajmer is a visual delight of shrines, palaces, fairs and colonial architecture that is best discovered through its maze of narrow lanes and busy bazaars. A town reminiscent of bygone eras --of caravans and trade, royalty and 'sahibs', and most of all a religious past shaped by several generations of Mughal emperors a?? Ajmer appeals to every sensibility.
History
For long, Ajmer remained a politically and spiritually important centre for the Rajputs, the Mughals and the Marathas. It continued to be the seat of administration for the Chauhans till, in 1193, the army of Mohammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan. However, the Rajputs regained control of the city with the crusades of Rana Kumbha of Mewar and Raja Maldeo.Ajayveda, who was an 11 th century local Rajput ruler, foundede the city of Ajmer. Sometime later, it was taken over by the Delhi Sultanate till it was returned to the local ru;ers, who had to pay tribute to the Sultanate. Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti came to Ajmer from Persia, in the late 12 th century. During the Medieval period, it became a part of the Mughal Empire, but then it was taken over by the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. Finally, the British took over it in 1818.
Founded by Raja Ajaipal Chauhan in the 7th century AD., Ajmer derives its name from the hill fort that he constructed called 'Ajaimeur' or 'invincible hill'. The city would remain under Chauhan control until 1193 A.D. when Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Later, a part of the Sultanate of Delhi, Ajmer became a favourite residence with the Mughals. Always at the helm of things, the city was also the site of the historic meeting between Emperor Jehangir and the first British Ambassador, Sir Thomas Roe in 1615. It was taken over by the Scindias in 1818, who eventually handed the city to the British. Ajmer thus became the only part of Rajasthan to be directly controlled by the East Indian Company. It was under British rule, that the famous Mayo College was established here in 1875. Concerned at the rising wave of nationalism after the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the British wished to secure the loyalty of the princes who had remained silent spectators during the mutiny by making British gentlemen of Indian royalty. Mayo went on to become one of the most reputed public schools in India, boasting alumni that included prominent Indian royalty.