Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 12

Bundi - Geography, Demographics, History

Former princely state in present-day Rajasthan, NW India; founded in 1342, an important state at the peak of Rajput glory; Emperor Jahangir separated the state into Bundi and Kota (1625); Bundi continued as an independent state under British rule, and became part of India when it gained independence in 1947.

Bundi

Bundi
State
 - District(s)
Rajasthan
 - Bundi
Coordinates 25.44° N 75.64° E
Area
 - Elevation

 - 268 m
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001)
 - Density
88,312
 - 

Bundi is a city and a municipality of approximately 88,000 inhabitants (2001) in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan state in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and baoris (stepwells), or water reservoirs. It is the administrative headquarters of Bundi District.

Geography

The town of Bundi is situated 36 km from Kota and 206 km from Jaipur.

Demographics

In the 2001 Indian census, Bundi had a population of 88,312. Bundi has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%;

History

In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by various local tribes, in which the Meenas were prominent. Bundi and the eponymous princely state are said to derive their names from a former Meena tribal chieftain called Bunda Meena.

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Princely Bundi

The Hadoti region in which Bundi stands takes is named for the Hada Rajputs, an offshoot of the Chauhan clan. Bundi was conquered by them in 1241 and nearby Kota in 1264. At one time, the Hada-ruled state of Bundi encompassed the present-day districts of Baran, Bundi, Kota, and Jhalawar.

The importance of Bundi state diminished over the years: as early as in 1579, it was deprived of the region which became Kota state; However, Bundi state did remain an independent entity, if only nominally, up to and during the British Raj.

Coat of arms: Bundi’s coat of arms is a shield depicting Garuda, the mount of Vishnu, flanked by winged griffins. The largest of Bundi's baoris or stepwells is the intricately-carved Raniji ki Baori. The Nawal Sagar is a large square-shaped artificial lake in the centre of Bundi containing many small islets. The Nagar Sagar twin step wells are identical step wells crafted in pristine masonry on either side of the main spine of Bundi town. The Dabhai Kund also known as the jail kund, is the largest of the kunds in Bundi. Sukh Mahal Jait Sagar Lake Phool sagar Kshar Bagh Eighty four pillared cenotaph

Excursions

Kedareshwar Dham ( Bag Ganga) Keshoraipatan Ramgarh Bijolia Menal Talwas Rameshwaram Dugari Indragarh

The Stepwells

There are over 50 stepwells in Bundi, of which only a handful have been maintained.

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