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South west of Jaipur, Ajmer is an oasis
wrapped in the green hills. The city was founded by Raja
Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued
to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D.
When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri.
Since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties. Today,
Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as
well as Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah
Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti,
which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. It
is a centre of culture and education, the British chose
Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo College a school
exclusively for Indian nobility. Ajmer is also the base
for visiting Pushkar (11 km.), the abode of Lord Brahma,
lying to its west with a temple and a picturesque lake.
The Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the
month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), devotes throng in large
numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake.
Ajaipal Chauhan founded Ajmer in the seventh
century. He constructed a hill fort "Ajaimeur" or the
invincible hill. The Chauhans ruled Ajmer till the 12th
century when Prithviraj Chauhan lost Mohammed Ghauri.
Thereafter it became a part of the sultanate of Delhi.
Ajmer was also favourite residence for the great
Mughals. One of the first contacts between the Mughal
King Jahangir and Sir Thomas Roe took place here in
1616. The Scindias took over the city in 1818 and then
handed it over to the British and it became one of the
only part of Rajasthan controlled directly by the East
Indian Co.
The bus stand in Ajmer is located
near the RTDC hotel Khadim. And the railway is further
north and most of the hotels are west of the stations.
Northeast is the main post office and most of the cities
market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further
north is a large artificial lake called the Anna Sagar.
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