The Early History of Rajasthan
With regards to area the state of Rajasthan is the biggest one encapsulating the formidable Thar desert. The great Indus Valley Civilization has centered round it with Kalibangan in Hanumangarh district as one of the major provincial capital. The contributions of Bargujars, Rajputs, Nath, Jats, Bhils, Ahirs, Gujars, Meenas have helped in making up of Rajasthan. The state has coped up with many invaders and for many centuries the kingdom of Rajasthan has been ruled by warrior tribes.
It almost remained independent from great dynasties that strengthened their grasp on the subcontinent. Buddhism has had a very little influence in the lands of Rajasthan and even the efforts of Asoka reaped no fruits of Buddhism in the state. Nevertheless, it enshrines Buddhist caves and stupas. The ancient Hindu scriptures, like Ramayana and Mahabharata, do mention the pilgrimage site of Pushkar.

Egression of Rajputs
The emersion of Rajputs was the most significant phenomena in the history of Rajasthan. The decline of Gupta empire left a void in the administration of the state. The after period was marked by fickleness. Empires and powers boomed and clashed in Northern India. With only the advent of Gurjara Pratiharas in the 6th - 7th century, did the stability of the state came in. They were the early Rajputs from Rajputra, the 'Sons of Princes.' These clans conferred the name Rajputana, the name by which the province was called during the Muslim invasion.

The ancestry of Rajputs can be divided into two main sects – the Suryavanshis (Solar race) that believe descent from Rama and Indivanshis (Lunar race) that believe descent from Krishna. A later addition was of agnikula, 'Fire born'. These three prime races were the origin of 36 Rajput clan. The Rajput clan gave birth to dynasties of Chauhans, Sisodias, Kachhwahas and Rathores. The chivalry and sense of self respect of Rajputs were unmatched.

Advent of Islam in Rajasthan
In 713 the Arabs took over Sindh and kept vigilance on Rajput territories but were snubbed by Gurjara Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas. The newly converted Muslim Turks imposed a fear to the state by the third decade of 8th century. 1001 A.D. the army of Afghan Mahmud of Gahzni intruded India and destroyed the temples and other heritage edifices. Rajasthan was a soft target for him. The confederation of Rajput army could not stand the robust warriors of Afghan. In the 12th century it was Mohammad Ghori who carried forward the invasions and plundering in India after Ghazni. After a bit effort and events their Rajputs lost their kingdom of Delhi and Ajmer to Muslims. Ajmer had been a forte of Muslims.

Colonialism and Rajasthan
The 19th century brought the East India Company of London to India and there started a saga of historical events. The British adopted the policies of neutrality towards the feuding parties. Eventually they started fraying, negotiating treatises with the main leaders. The Rajput support was reciprocated by British protection. British inhabitants were always omnipresent in the princely states. Although the British repulsed the Marathas, yet they did it simply by making the Rajput leaders a plaything. The monarchs enjoyed their status and the subject protested. But the attempts of Mahatma Gandhi, galvanized the peasants.

Independence of Rajasthan
World War II shattered the ambition of Britishers to expand their empire and the supremacy fantasy of British collapsed. The aftermath of World War II was that British had no power to establish their empire. But in India had different issues altogether. The large Muslim minority presumed that an independent India would be a Hindu dominated nation. The country was bifurcated along religious lines and the Muslim league, speaking for Muslims, was headed by Mohamed Ali Jinnah.
In August 1947 when India got independence from colonialism, the boundaries of Rajasthan were also to be defined. In 1948, it comprised the south and south eastern states of Rajputana. It merged Mewar and made Udaipur its capital. Still retaining its independence were Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. Being contiguous to Pakistan, it was mandatory for India to ensure the security of these desert kingdoms.

Eventually, the Instrument of Accession was agreed to by the Princes and these were included in Rajasthan. Later in 1949, the kingdom of Matsya comprising of Bharatpur, Alwar, Karauli, and Dholpur were incorporated into Rajasthan. Thereby, making the state the largest one India exceeding in geographical area only by the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The contemporary dimensions were attained in 1956 with inclusion of Ajmer – Mewara, Abu Road, and a part of Dilwara.