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 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.
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