Just over 130 kms south-west of Jaipur is Ajmer, a burgeoning town on the shore of the Ana Sagar, flanked by barren hills. Historically, Ajmer had considerable strategic importance and was sacked by Mohammed of Ghori on one of his periodic forays from Afghanistan. Later it became a favorite residence of the mighty Mughals. Ajmer is a major centre for Muslim pilgrims during the fast of Ramazan, and has some impressive Muslim architecture. The city of Ajmer is famous as a pilgrimage site. It houses the Dargah, or tomb, of the popular 13th-century, Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. The city also boasts of a number of monuments dating back to the Mughal era. The city is also well known for its traditional handicrafts industry
History :
The small town of Ajmer, 78 miles west of Jaipur, played a surprisingly important role in India's history. Set at the point where the rocky Aravalli Hills end and the Thar Desert begins, this was originally the stronghold of the powerful Chauhan Dynasty of Rajputs, who built India's first ever hill fort here in the 7th century. Ajmer was founded by a Rajput chieftain Ajayapal Chauhan, who also built first hill fort in India, the Tara Garh. As the fort was supposed to be invincible, it was named Ajai Meru (the Invincible Hill). Ajmer was brought under the control of Delhi Sultanate in 1193, when Prithvi Raj Chauhan was defeated by Mohammed Ghori. It was later returned to the local chieftains albeit for a small tribute. Ajmer also played an important role in paving the way for British East India Company in India. In 1616, Jehangir met ambassador of King James, Sir Thomas Roe. That was the first meeting between any Mughal Emperor and representatives of Britain. In the 17th century, Shahjahan built marble pavilions around the Ana Sagar Lake. The Taragarh Fort was damaged badly during the Mughal war of succession between Aurangzeb and Dara. Shikoh. Schindi Rulers of Gwalior took over Ajmer in the mid 18th century, to be handed over to the British in 1818.
Cities of Ajmer
Ajmer,
Jodhpur,
Bikaner,
Jaisalmer,
Jaipur,
Udaipur, Bharatpur, Bijaipur, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Khimsar, Mukundgarh, Nathdwara,
Pushkar, Samode, Sariska, Sawai Madhopur, more ...
Tourist Attraction of Ajmer :-
Taragarh Fort, Adhai din ka Jhonpara, Dargah of Garib Nawaz, Mayo College, Ana Sagar Lake, Nasiyan.
How to get there
By Air
Nearest Airport Jaipur is Jaipur (138 kms
By Rail
Ajmer is connected by rail to Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Barmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mount Abu and to Bombay Via Ahmedabad.
By Road
Ajmer is well connected by road with Agra (370 km), Bharatpur, Bikaner, Chittaurgarh (182 km), and Delhi.
