Distinctive Variables and Linkages of Urbanization in Early Rajasthan

Desert topography encompasses a vast area of Rajasthan and the process of urbanization in the region could not have remained unaffected by it. Through an overview of the history of urbanization in Rajasthan, the paper attempts to identify the geographical factors and the operative political, economic, cultural forces that shaped the urban landscape in the region during the ancient and early medieval period. Urbanization of Rajasthan is analyzed as three broad phases. In the pre and proto-historic period the settlements made use of copper ores and developed connections with contemporary towns by meeting their copper needs. With the development of strong territorial kingdoms, larger political powers like Mauryas, Kushans, and Guptas enhanced the culture of towns in the historic period. Rise of the Rajputs entailed state formation and rise of the mercantile class which facilitated multifunctional towns and cities progressing toward material prosperity and cultural refinement with magnificent temples and stepwells. Besides the larger socio-political developments, two leitmotifs of history of urbanization in Rajasthan are the Aravalli mountains and the Thar Desert. Rich in mineral resources and scarce in water, urbanization in the region expressed both courage and ingenuity.