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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