3.LITERATURE REVIEW 1) The ancient name of Jaipur was Dhundharpur. It is said that it was kept on the name of a demon Dhundhar. Jaipur is the seat of district supervision and the capital of Rajasthan state. The place was initially named as Jainagar after its founder Sawai Jai Singh fl. In wake of time, it obtained the present name. It is situated in the eastern part of the Rajasthan and lies between 26 degree and 22 minute and 27 degree 52 minute north latitudes and between 74 3 degree 55 minute and 76 degree 50 minute east longitudes. lt is bordered on the north by Sikar district of Rajasthan and Mahendragarh district of Haryana, on the south by Tank district, on the east by Alwar and Sawai Madhopur districts and on the west by Nagaur and Ajmer districts. 2) In Jaipur, Parvati also called Devi or Mata is another name of Shakti, whose followers form the sect of Shaktas, Just as among the Vaishnavas, there is a group who think that Laxmi (wife of Vishnu) is the only worthy deity who can protect man, so does this sect of Shkatas, which is only an offset from the main stock of Shaivas and believe that Devi is the onl y entity worthy of worship and capable of yielding salvation, she is also worshipped under the name of Kali or Mahakali and has her shrine at Amber where she is known by the name of Sheela Devi (the goddess of the slab). A goat is sacrificed to her every morning, and her icon with eight hands riding on a lion and killing the demon called Mahishasur, is the most awe - imposing. Her famous shrines are in Kalkattaand Nagarkot (in the Himalayas). 3) Many authors like Bhandari (1990), Sharma (2002), Sharma and Tiagi (1979), Shetty & Pandey (1983), Shetty & Singh (1.987, 1991, 1993), Singh (1983) and Prasad et al. (1996) have contributed to our knowledge about flora of Rajasthan. Recently, Sharma (2000, 2001, 2002 a,b,c), and Sharma et al. (2005) have recorded presence of many species from southern part of Rajasthan which are new to the state. This part of the state has eight sanctuaries namely, Mt. Abu, Phulwari, Kumbhalgarh, Todgarh-Raoli, Sitamata, Sajjangarh, Jaisamand and Bassi. Among these, most of new plants were recorded from three sanctuaries, namely, Mt. Abu, Phulwari and Sitamata (Sharma 2000, 2001, 2002 a,b,c; Sharma et al., 2005). Continued surveys revealed several species which are new records for the area and the state. A brief description of them follows. 13 4) Akbar was shrewd enough to realize what his father and grandfather had failed to see that the Rajputs, who held large areas in their possession and were masters of legions and renowned for their valour and fidelity to their word, could safely be depended upon and converted into friends. In January, 1562 when the Akbar was going to Ajmer to visit the holy shrine of Saint Chishti, he accepted the submission of Raja Bharmal of Amber and welcomed a matrimonial alliance with that Kachhwaha ruling family and on his return from Ajmer Akbar married with his daughter on th 6 February, 1562. Bharmal with his son Bhagwant Das and grandson Man Singh accompanied the Emperor to Aagra where he was given a command of 5,000 and his son and grandson were granted commissions in the imperial army. Dr. Ishwari Prasad admits that this marriage is an important event in our country's history. 5) The credit to realize the importance of an alliance with the Rajputs must be given to Akbar who revolutionized the Mughal policy towards the chiefs of Rajasthan. But Akbar's treatment of the Rajputs was not the outcome of thoughtless sentiment or a mere chivalrous regard for their valour, generosity and patriotism. It was the result of a deliberate policy and was based on the principles of enlightened self-interest, recognition of merit, justice and fair play. As his Muslim nobles and officials had been far from loyal and had rebelled again and again and as the Afghans in the country were the sworn enemies of his royal house. Akbar decided to seek the co-operation of the Rajputs 5 and use them as a counterpoise against his self-seeking Muslim nobles and officials. During the first few years of his reign Akbar followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and the Turko-Afghan sultans of Delhi. He was then under the influence of orthodoxmullas and he not only persecuted the Hindus but also Muslim heretics. Among others AbulFazI and Faizi and their father Shaikh Mubarak escaped persecution and death at the hands of the young emperor's courtiers by a mere chance. 6) Women's contribution is significant in the origin and the development of Folk Culture. Folk Narratives provides a pavement to study and interpret the role of woman in shaping cultural patterns in little communities. Usually, the roles of rural women in Rajasthan remain unrecognized from historic times and their voices are seldom perceptible, if ever heard, it is only in folk songs & narratives. Although Folk epics are rarely found in tribal societies, but 14 the case of Nayak Bhill in Rajasthan is exception. Bhill is the most commonly found Adivasi in desert. Inspite of modern constitutional safeguards provided by Government of India, this low caste minority in Rajasthan is often denied it's basic human rights and entitlements because of ignorance, displacement and lack of adaptability with modern trends. 7) Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babar (1483-1530A.D.) also Babar (literally means of Babar is 'the Lion') was 16th-century ruler of radian subcontinent and founder of the Mughal Empire. He defeated Ibrahim Lodi, sultan of Delhi in the first battle of Panipat in 1526 and Babar won this battle. The first battle of Panipat marks the end of Delhi sultanate and rise of the Mughal dynasty in india. The Mughal Emperor Babar is described as a military genius and a skillful warrior. Babur had to carry on warfare with the Rajputs but these battles had been fought because of political reasons. Babur could not frame any fixed Rajput policy due to his early death is 1530 A.D. After the death of his father Babur, Nasir ud-din Muhammad Hurnayun (15O8-1556A.D.) was second Mughal emperor and he succeeded to the throne of India, at the age of twenty-three. 8) The Rajput policies adopted by Aurangzeb were strict and stern. There were three important Rajput rulers at that time, viz. Raja Jaswant Singh of Marwar, Rana Raj Singh of Mewar and Raja Jai Sing of Jaipur. All the three were at peace with the Mughals when Aurangzeb ascended the throne. But Aurangzeb never kept faith in the loyalty of these Rajput rulers. Aurangzeb deputed Raja Jai Singh in the Deccan where, ultimately he died in 1666 A.D. Raja Jaswant Singh was deputed to defend the north-western frontier of the empire. Two of his sons died fighting against the Afghan rebels and he himself died in Afghanistan in 1678 A.D. Aurangzeb was waiting for this opportunity. At that time, there was no successor to the throne of Marwar. He occupied Marwar immediately and with a view to disgrace the ruling family sold the throne of Jaswant Singh for rupees thirty-six lakhs. It seemed that the existence of Marwar was lost for ever. While returning from Afghanistan, the two wives of Rana Jaswant Singh gave birth to two sons at Lahore. 9) Many Rajput families of the 8th century must have been the descendants of the ancient Alia and Iksvaku families. But the Guhtis, Ghauhans and Parmars were originally Brahmans who adopted a military career, probably to defend their culture against foreign invaders. They did not need any purification by fire, they were pure enough to begin 15 with, to course of time they were recognized as Kshaatriyas. The Agnikul (fire born) theory is now recognized as a myth created to legitimize the origin of Rajputs as pure Kshatriyas. 5 According to some it was invented to the 16th century and was probably designed to legitimize the "conversion‖ of foreign tribes after being purified by the sacred fire - agni Hi st o ri ca l fa ct s ha v e of t e n be e n di st or t ed t o su pp or t et h ni c ambitions. 10) Thus in this region of Jaipur, PabuJi, HarbuJi, RamdevJi, MehoJi, GogaJi, etc.; mostly Rajputs were 7 considered as demi gods. ley were broadly venerated by the majority mainly living in villages. The hereditary followers of some of them were the Thoris, and the Dhedhs. These instances provided prospect to other low caste people also to get the blessings of these folk deities. Inspired by the sacrifice made by these Rajput heroes, for saving the cows for instance, castes like the Jats and Gujars also defied their historical personages and glorified their acts of similar sacrifice or other deeds of 8 courage. Teja Ji. for the Jats and Deva Ji for the Gujars are two such examples. Saint Mava Ji is yet another example from the area recognized as Bagad (Dungarpur -Banswara). Even the 'Satis' and brave warriors were worshipped by people of all societies similarly. 11) The state of Rajasthan is one of the favorite destinations for the tourists in India, both domestic and foreign. Rajasthan is famous for its rich culture and tradition, fairs and festivals worldwide. The different tourist destinations attract the tourists because of various reasons. The mixture of art, Graft, fetor-real monuments, heritage, natural scenes, sports, fairs, festivals, food, and religion which is so brilliant that no one can avoid the state, from the tourist point of view.