Bundi

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Bundi
city
BundiPan.jpg
Panoramic view of the old town and palace of Bundi.
India Rajasthan location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bundi
Location in Rajasthan, India
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bundi
Bundi (India)
Coordinates: 25°26′N75°38′E / 25.44°N 75.64°E / 25.44; 75.64
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Rajasthan
District Bundi
Named for Bunda Meena
Government
  Type Municipal Council
  BodyBundi Municipal Council [1]
Elevation
268 m (879 ft)
Languages
  Official Hindi
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
323001
ISO 3166 code RJ-IN
Vehicle registration RJ-08
Sex ratio 922 /
Website Bundi Municipal Council
Bundi District

Bundi is a town in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan state in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris. It is the administrative headquarters of Bundi District. Bundi has many temples, so it is called "Chhoti Kashi" (Little Varanasi).[ citation needed ]

Contents

Geography

The town of Bundi is situated 35 km from Kota and 210 km from Jaipur. It is located at 25°26′N75°38′E / 25.44°N 75.64°E / 25.44; 75.64 and an average elevation of 268 metres (879 feet). The city lies near a narrow gorge, and is surrounded on three sides by hills of the Aravalli Range. A substantial wall with four gateways encircles the city. It is served by Bundi railway station on Kota-Chittorgarh rail line. Bundi is also known as "Choti Kashi" as there are many old temples in the city, which has been built by kings at their reign.[ citation needed ]

Climate

Climate data for Bundi (1991–2020)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)29.8
(85.6)
36.4
(97.5)
42.0
(107.6)
46.0
(114.8)
47.0
(116.6)
48.0
(118.4)
45.5
(113.9)
37.4
(99.3)
41.2
(106.2)
39.4
(102.9)
35.4
(95.7)
30.5
(86.9)
48.0
(118.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)22.5
(72.5)
26.6
(79.9)
34.0
(93.2)
39.9
(103.8)
43.7
(110.7)
40.5
(104.9)
33.9
(93.0)
32.1
(89.8)
35.1
(95.2)
34.4
(93.9)
30.0
(86.0)
25.2
(77.4)
33.1
(91.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)8.4
(47.1)
12.2
(54.0)
18.7
(65.7)
24.7
(76.5)
28.6
(83.5)
28.1
(82.6)
24.5
(76.1)
23.9
(75.0)
24.0
(75.2)
20.0
(68.0)
14.5
(58.1)
11.0
(51.8)
19.8
(67.6)
Record low °C (°F)3.0
(37.4)
3.6
(38.5)
10.4
(50.7)
14.0
(57.2)
18.4
(65.1)
19.6
(67.3)
19.0
(66.2)
18.0
(64.4)
18.0
(64.4)
13.0
(55.4)
9.5
(49.1)
5.5
(41.9)
3.0
(37.4)
Average rainfall mm (inches)6.3
(0.25)
5.6
(0.22)
2.6
(0.10)
3.3
(0.13)
5.1
(0.20)
93.5
(3.68)
231.0
(9.09)
279.0
(10.98)
98.8
(3.89)
6.4
(0.25)
4.6
(0.18)
0.6
(0.02)
736.8
(29.01)
Average rainy days0.40.40.30.30.75.010.213.05.20.40.40.136.3
Source: India Meteorological Department [2]

Demographics

In the 2011 Indian census, [3] Bundi had a population of 1,03,286. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Bundi has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 75% and female literacy of 57%. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

View of Bundi Fort and Palace from the Highway. Bundi palace.jpg
View of Bundi Fort and Palace from the Highway.

Stone Age tools dating from 5,000 to 2,00,000 years were found in Bundi and Bhilwara districts of the state. [4]

In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by Meena tribe. Bundi derives its name from Bunda Meena. The Hada Rajputs took the town around 1242 after diverting the rivulet as the location and terrain provided natural defensibility to their fortifications., renaming the surrounding region as Hadauti, the land of great Hada Rajputs.[ citation needed ]

The rulers of Bundi State belonged to Hada-Chauhan dynasty and have ruled the area since 1241 CE. Rao Devraj Singh Hada was the first ruler and presently 26th gaadipati is Brig HH Bhupesh Singh, SC, VSM.[ citation needed ]

Tourist attractions

Original paintings in Bundi Palace (visiting Sept. 2004) Bundi - Deckenmalerei im Garh Palace.jpg
Original paintings in Bundi Palace (visiting Sept. 2004)

Forts and palaces

Stepwells

There are over 50 stepwells in Bundi, of which only a handful have been maintained. They used to be the only source of water for the town until a piped water system was introduced. After that, these stepwells were abandoned and the monuments fell into disrepair. Most of the former stepwells inside the town have become refuse dumps, and are slipping out of the public consciousness.[ citation needed ]

The Raniji ki Baori is a noted and well-maintained stepwell, some 46 metres (151 ft) deep. It was built in 1699 by Rani Nathavatji. The steps built into the sides of the water-well made water accessible even when at a very low level. The baori is one of the largest examples of its kind in Rajasthan.[ citation needed ]

The Nagar Sagar twin step wells are identical step wells crafted in masonry on either side of the main spine of the town. The Dabhai Kund, also known as the Jail Kund, is the largest of the stepwells and, although slightly overgrown, still shows carvings on the numerous steps leading down to water level.[ citation needed ]

Murals

Murals in the typical Rajasthani Hadoti miniature style are an important attraction in the Garh Palace. They cover the walls, ceilings and niches in several of the pavilions or "mahals", depicting stories from the life of Krishna as well as scenes from the lives of the royalty. They have significant artistic and decorative values. The Ummed Bhavan "Chitrashala" (also in the Garh Palace, i.e. the palace premises within the Bundi fort) have especially notable murals.[ citation needed ]

Rock art

There are nearly 100 rock art sites in and around the town, some dating back 5000 to 7000 years. They have been discovered by a local enthusiast in the sandstone escarpments and caves. These show up the typical line drawings of wild buffalo, deer, tiger, etc. as well as humans in different postures that depict the typical lives and concerns of human beings of the period.[ citation needed ]

Satur national geological monument

Great Boundary Fault at Satur at nearby Satur has been declared the National Geological Monuments of India by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), for their protection, maintenance, promotion and enhancement of geotourism. [5] [6] [7]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raniji ki Baori</span> Stepwell in Rajasthan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jait Sagar Lake</span> Fresh water reservoir in Bundi, Rajasthan

Jait Sagar Lake is an natural lake or reservoir situated in Bundi city in the state of Rajasthan in India. It is surrounded by the hills of the Aravalli mountain range. This lake, near Taragarh Fort, is filled with lotus flowers during winter and monsoon seasons. Jait Sagar is surrounded by towering walls and has four gateways that serve as entry points to the lake. It is located at a distance of less than 3 km from Bundi city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taragarh Fort, Bundi</span>

Taragarh Fort is a fort located in Bundi, Rajasthan, India. Located high on a hill of aravalli mountain range, it is the principal tourist attraction in Bundi. The fort was built here on a steep hill at a height of 1426 feet. Many tunnels were made in it to exit the fort during the battle. These tunnels are visible at many places in the mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nawal Sagar Lake</span> Reservoir, fresh water in Bundi, Rajasthan

Nawal Sagar Lake is an artificial lake or reservoir situated in Bundi city in the state of Rajasthan in India. It is surrounded by the hills of the Aravalli mountain range. It is a square shaped artificial lake, and a temple dedicated to Varuna, the God of ocean, is partially submerged in the middle of the lake. Nawal Sagar is surrounded by towering walls and has two gateways that serve as entry points to the lake. It is located in the centre of the Bundi city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bundi Utsav</span>

Bundi Utsav, or Bundi Festival, is an annual cultural and tourism festival celebrated in the city of Bundi, located in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan, India. This vibrant festival showcases the rich cultural heritage, traditional art forms, and historical significance of Bundi. It typically takes place in the month of November and spans over three days, attracting both domestic and international tourists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukh Mahal</span>

Sukh Mahal, also known as Sukh Niwas Mahal, is a historic palace located in Bundi, a district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The palace is often associated with Rudyard Kipling, who is believed to have drawn inspiration from its beauty for his famous work, "Kim (novel)".

References

  1. "Bundi Municipal Council". 27 June 2024.
  2. "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department . Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  3. "Bundi Tehsil Population - Bundi, Rajasthan". CensusIndia2011. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  4. Pillai, Geetha Sunil (28 February 2017), "Stone age tools dating back 2,00,000 years found in Rajasthan", The Times of India
  5. National Geological Monument, from Geological Survey of India website
  6. "Geo-Heritage Sites". pib.nic.in. Press Information Bureau. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  7. national geo-heritage of India, INTACH

Further reading