Rajasthan

Rajasthan is India's largest state by area. Much of its west is covered by the Thar Desert, while the Aravalli Range runs diagonally across the state from south-west to north-east.

The state is famous for its forts and palaces – several of which are inscribed together as the Hill Forts of Rajasthan World Heritage Site – and for cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

Rajasthan, the "land of kings", was home to many Rajput kingdoms such as Mewar, Marwar, Amber and Bikaner, famous for their forts, palaces and tales of valour – from Prithviraj Chauhan to Maharana Pratap. The region also has Harappan sites such as Kalibangan. After independence the princely states were united in stages, beginning on 30 March 1949 (Rajasthan Day) and completed in 1956.

The Aravalli range runs across Rajasthan from south-west to north-east. To its west lies the Thar Desert; to its east are fertile plains and the plateau of Hadoti. Mount Abu, the state's only hill station, rises to Guru Shikhar, the highest point of the Aravallis. The Chambal is the main perennial river.

Tourism, mining (marble, zinc, sandstone), textiles and agriculture drive the economy. Rajasthan is also a leader in solar energy, with large solar parks in the desert.

Hindi is the official language, and Rajasthani dialects such as Marwari and Mewari are widely spoken. Folk music by Langa and Manganiyar musicians, Ghoomar and Kalbelia dances, puppetry, blue pottery, block printing and bandhej tie-dye are celebrated traditions. The Pushkar camel fair, Teej and the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer draw visitors from around the world.