|
 Situated at
about 125 kilometers form the capital Jaipur,
Ajmer is a well known education centre. One of the
major institutions, Mayo college have always
attracted many princes and children from affluent
families. It is also is a major religious center
for Muslim Pilgrims. The tomb of Khawajs
Mion-ud-din Chisti, the Adhi din ka Jhonpra,
mosque and many other buildings are examples of
fine Muslim architecture.
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
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 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. |
