Ajmer
Ajmer situated in the green oasis wrapped in the barren hills has been a
witness to an
interesting past. The city was founded by Raja Ajai Pal Chauhan
in the 7th century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of Chauhan power.
When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri leaving behind indelible
marks of their culture and traditions on the cities history, converting
it to an amalgam of various cultures and a blend of Hinduism and Islam.
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 A.D. 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 D
elhi. 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.
Ajmer Tourism Reservation Form
