Alwar

Alwar is a city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It serves as the administrative center for Alwar District. The city is situated about 150 km south of Delhi and 150 km north of Jaipur, making it a convenient location for travelers exploring northern India.

Alwar has a rich history and is known for its cultural heritage. The city is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, including hills and forests, which add to its charm. Many visitors come to Alwar to see historical buildings and enjoy the peaceful environment.

For more information about the surrounding area, you can learn about Alwar district, the Hindu saints called Alwars, or places named Alwar in Iran, such as Alwar, Iran.

Etymology

There are several ideas about where the name Alwar comes from. One theory is that it started from the Salva tribe, beginning as Salwapur, then changing to Salwar, Halawar, and finally Alwar. Another idea is that it was called Aravalpur, meaning the city of the Aravali hills.

Some believe the city is named after Khanzada Alawal Khan Mewati, a leader who took control of Alwar. Research during the time of Maharaja Jai Singh found that Maharaja Alaghraj, who ruled in the eleventh century, founded a city called Alpur in the year 1049 A.D. This name eventually changed to Alwar. The city was once spelled Ulwar but was changed to Alwar during Jai Singh’s time. Some also think the name might come from a Persian word meaning “timber.”

History

Ancient history

The old name of Alwar was Salva or Salwa. Alwar was part of the Matsya Kingdom, one of the 16 ancient Mahājanapadas. In later Vedic texts (like the Jaiminiya Brahmana), the Salva or Salvi tribe is described as a group that lived near Kurukshetra and fought the Kuru kingdom.

The Salvas settled along the Yamuna river in the Alwar area of Rajasthan after battles with the Kuru kingdom. Over time, they joined with other groups and accepted Vedic culture.

Medieval history

Alwar was ruled by many different groups over the years. These included the Jadauns of Karauli, Nikumbh Rajputs, the Khanzada Rajputs, the Badgujar Rajputs, Gaur rajputs and the Rai Sahab of Rewari. The Maratha Empire also ruled the area for a short time.

One important leader was Wali-e-Mewat Raja Khanzada Alawal Khan, who ruled from 1485 to 1504. People believe the city of Alwar may be named after him. Another notable figure was Hemchandra Vikramaditya (known as Hemu), born in Machari, Rajgarh, a village in Alwar. During the 1500s, he became a leader in North India, capturing Delhi after defeating forces in 1556. However, he was later defeated and the Mughal rulers took control again.

Colonial era

Main article: State of Alwar

The princely state of Alwar began in 1770 when a Kachwaha Rajput named Pratap Singh Naruka established it. Later leaders faced challenges, including conflicts with nearby areas and agreements with British rulers.

The state was divided into four parts:

• Rath region: including Behror and Neemrana, ruled by Lah Chauhan Rajput leaders.

• Wai region: including Bansur and Thana Ghazi, ruled by Shekhawat rajput leaders.

• Narukhand region: including Rajgarh and Laxmangarh, ruled by the Naruka clan of Rajputs.

• Mewat region: including Palwal and Nuh, home to many Meo Muslims.

Post-independence

After India gained independence in 1947, Alwar joined the country. In 1948, it combined with three nearby areas to form the Matsya Union. By 1949, it became part of the new state of Rajasthan. Today, Alwar is part of the National Capital Region, which has brought new development, such as improved water supplies and transportation links to Delhi. The military area of Itarana is near the city.

Tourist attractions

Alwar has many interesting places to visit. One of the most famous is the Fairy Queen, a very old train that travels between Delhi and Alwar. It is one of the oldest trains in the world and was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Another popular spot is Bala Qila, also called Alwar Fort. This large fort sits high above the city and has turrets, a big gate, a temple, and even a residential area.

Visitors can also explore the City Palace, built in 1793. This beautiful building mixes different styles of architecture and now houses a museum with old manuscripts, paintings, and historic swords.

Just a short distance from Alwar is the Sariska Tiger Reserve, a national park and tiger reserve. It is known for its successful work in moving tigers to safe areas and is home to many different animals and plants, as well as ancient temples.

Other attractions include Bhangarh Fort, famous for its legends, Siliserh Lake, a large lake created in the 19th century, and Hill Fort Kesroli, a 14th-century fort that is now a heritage hotel.

Main article: Fairy Queen (locomotive)

Main article: Sariska Tiger Reserve

Main article: Bhangarh Fort

Main article: Siliserh Lake

Main article: Hill Fort Kesroli

Transport

The main ways to travel in and around Alwar are buses, taxis, and auto rickshaws. Buses leave from the old Bus Station, which is about 5 kilometers from the train station. Plans are in place to build a metro rail line connecting Delhi to Alwar.

The closest airports are Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Jaipur International Airport, and a new airport being built in Bhiwadi. Alwar Junction railway station links the city to Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai by train. Roads connect Alwar to big cities in Rajasthan and nearby states.

Geography

Alwar is found at 27°34′N 76°36′E / 27.57°N 76.6°E / 27.57; 76.6. It sits about 271 meters above sea level. A big river called the Ruparail runs close to the city. Alwar has many useful minerals, such as marble, granite, and limestone.

Climate

Alwar has a hot climate with very warm summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 41 °C, while winter temperatures stay between 8 °C and 21 °C. The city gets most of its rain during a short rainy season in July and August, with about 67 centimeters of rain each year. The hottest day ever in Alwar was on 10 May 1956, when the temperature reached 50.6 °C.

Demographics

Alwar is a city in the state of Rajasthan. In 2011, the city had a population of 341,422 people, and the whole district had 3,674,179 people.

Most people in Alwar speak Hindi. Other languages spoken there include Punjabi and Mewati.

Education

Alwar has many schools and colleges. One university, called Raj Rishi Bhartrihari Matsya University, began in 2012–13. Some well-known schools include Alwar Public School, Shri Oswal Jain Senior Secondary School, St. Anselm's Senior Secondary School, and Kendriya Vidyalaya. There are also several colleges such as Raj Rishi College and the Employee's State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College, which started in 2017.

Notable people

Alwar is a city that has been home to many well-known individuals. Some of these people include Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, Sakshi Tanwar, Jitendra Kumar, Imran Khan, Aastha Chaudhary, Bhuvneshwari Kumari, Mahesh Sharma, Jitendra Singh, and Alok Bhargava. These individuals have made their marks in various fields and have brought recognition to the city of Alwar.