merger, between 1947 and 1950,

of twenty-two states. Earlier

called Rajputana, these states

were ruled by warrior aristocracy

known as the Rajputs - Jaipur by

the Kachchwahas, Jodhpur and

Bikaner by the Rathors, Kota by

the Hadas, and Mewar or

Udaipur by the

Sisodias. For nearly a

thousands years they ruled the

land. To them, death was

preferable to dishonour. In the

annals of the region, tales of

their bravery in war bound.

It is the startling juxtaposition of

image, colour, form and style

that makes Rajasthan one of the

most exotic states in India.