State Symbols Of Rajasthan

By Rahul Kumar

About the writer 

Rahul Kumar is a teacher by profession with more than 5 years of experience in the  field. He is currently serving in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, An autonomous body  under Ministry of Education, Government of India. Before joining KVS, he has also  served in Delhi Government Schools, DAV Public School and Birla Educational Trust  School. He gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with Non-Profit  Organizations like Azim Premji Foundation and Peepul India.  

On educational front, he has completed his schooling from SBV Rouse Avenue School,  New Delhi and then a bachelors degree in B.A. English (Honours) from Dyal Singh  College, University of Delhi. Some professional courses includes a Diploma in  Elementary Education from SCERT, Delhi. Currently he is pursuing B.Ed. Degree from  Centre For Distance and Online Education, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.  All the information provided in this book is a series of his observations and lived  experiences while travelling distance in the state. Most of the information and  accounts were recorded in the year 2021-22 when he started his professional journey  from Barmer, Rajasthan. 

State Symbols of Rajasthan Let’s explore the symbols woven into my journey  

Rahul ‘Sushindra’ Kumar Chanwariya

To my sunshine,  Trishika and Twisha. Love you Papa

Rajasthan, The largest state of India by area, came into existence on 30th March 1949. It was none  other than Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the ‘Iron Man of India’ who announced the merger of the princely  states of Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer to form a greater state called Greater Rajasthan. On 7th September 1949, Jaipur was announced the capital of the state of Rajasthan. There used to be 33 districts  among 7 divisions in Rajasthan until 17th March 2023, when the ex-Chief Minister of the state raised the  numbers to 50 districts among 10 divisions. Most of the State Symbols described in this book have been  announuced in the year 1982-83 by Anand Mohan Lal, former Revenue Secretary, Government of  Rajasthan. 

Map of 33 Districts of Rajasthan Map of 50 Districts of Rajasthan

State Tree: Khejari 

Did you know?  

The scientific name of Khejari is Prosopis cineraria. The Khejari tree is found  mainly in desert areas as they can grow without much water. Its bark is used  for making medicines. Animals in this area eat the leaves of the Khejari.  People cook and eat the fruit beans it produces named Sangiri. Its wood is  such that it is not be affected by insects. 

Somewhere in 18th century near Jodhpur, Amrita with  

her family members and hundreds of villagers sacrificed  

her life while protecting the Khejari Trees. If you have been  

to or travelled through the long deep roads of rural areas  

of Rajasthan, you must have noticed that having trees on  

both sides of the steep roads can be a luxury for dried  

places. I hope now you will be able to understand why  

Khejari holds such importance in the land of dunes. 

This picture has been taken in a village near Kiradu Temple,  

Barmer, Rajasthan in which I can be seen plucking Sangiri 

the fruit of Khejari Tree. 

State Animal 1: Camel- The ship of the desert 

Did you know?  

Camels can drink around 200 liters of water in one go and then they do not  

require water for a week. They can also store food for around two weeks.  

Wait, but where does all of this go? In it’s hump, simple. Camels can also  

walk at 25 Kilometers per hours on hot sand as their feet are made up of soft  

padded paws. Sometimes, Camel has been kept in livestock category or  

known as State heritage animal. 

Yes, you read it right. Camel is especially  

designed by nature while keeping in mind the  

harsh climate of deserted areas like Rajasthan.  

Have you ever took a ride on camel? Have you  

also noticed very minutely that how it stands up  

and sits down? Well, all of those a little scary  

moments are worth the amazing ride. So by now,  

you must have understood why camels are so  

very special for Rajasthan. 

This picture has been taken in Sam Sand Dunes  

of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. 

State Animal 2: Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) 

Did you know? 

The scientific name of Chinkara is Gazelle Bennettii from Antelope species.  

There was a time when they were kept in vulnerable category by  

International Union for Conservation of Nature, 1994 however with the  

constant efforts of government initiatives like Wildlife Protection Act of  

India, 1972, Chinkara Breeding Center, Kairu, Haryana their population has  

been recovered. Still with the loss of vegetation land, illegal killing and  

poaching make their condition vulnerable. 

Chinkara are shy animals and would like to stay in  

solitary. Chinkara animals are herbivorous. One of the  

specialties of this animal is that they can go without  

water for days and practically survive on dew and water  

obtained from leaves and plants. It is also said that in  

India the population of the Indian Gazelle was found to  

be one million out of which 80,000 were present in the  

Thar Desert. That’s why they are so very special for  

Rajasthan. 

State Flower: Rohida 

Did you know?  

The scientific name of Rohida is Tecomella Undulate. This tree has quite a few  medicinal benefits. The seeds of Rohida are used for curing abscess, commonly  known as a pocket of pus. The bark of Rohida tree is used for curing Syphilis, a Sexual  Transmitted Infection. Its wood came to be known as a fine example of Timber. The  leaves of this tree are eaten by grazing or ruminants animals. As the flowers have anti inflammatory properties, which is why they are used in the production of perfumes  and essential oils. In addition, the Rohida flower is used in religious and cultural  ceremonies.

If you have ever got a chance to visit Marwar region in  

winters, you must have noticed these flowers with a mix of  

different shades of a little yellow, orange and red. It looks  

like a product of evergreen forest, cut and pasted in the  

parched- deserted land. 

This picture has been taken at Mahabar San Dunes, Barmer,  

Rajasthan. 

State Bird: The Great Indian Bustard (Godawan)  

Did you know?  

The scientific name of Godawan is Choriotis nigricaps. The great Indian  

bustard, locally known as Godawan, are critically endangered species. There  

was a time this species were flourishing across the country but currently their  

population have shrinked to some parts of Rajasthan. Due to which, a  

programme called, Project Great Indian Bustard was launched on 5thof June  

2013 by Forest Department, Government of Rajasthan. Central Government  

also launched ‘Species Recovery Programme’.

To understand the situation with more details, let’s look at  

what statistical data has to say- Once more than 1000  

individuals few decades back, bustard population shrunk to  

745 in the year 1978, 600 in 2001, 300 in 2008 and not more  

than 125 in the year 2013. Happily, as per the new initiates,  

including a satellite conservation breeding facility has been  

established at Sam, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan due to which their  

population has again gained some momentum. Have you  

understand why Godawan has been named as the state bird  

of Rajasthan?  

State Dance: Ghoomar 

Did you know? 

Ghoomar is one of the most popular folk dance form of Rajasthan. There are  many others like Chari, Gair, Kalbelia, Kachchi Ghodi, Terah (thirteen) thali,  walar etc. Ghoomar dance has derived from the word ‘Ghoomna’ or  ‘Jhoomna’ which literally can be performed joyfully irrespective of any age  group.

Traditionally, Ghoomar used to perform while  

worshipping Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of  

Knowledge. It is always a delight to see someone  

performing Ghoomar, as the artist wears a heavy, long  

skirt with a blouse and a scarf, known as Rajasthani 

Poshak, with glittering jewellery also known as ‘Hasly’  

and bangles. The music includes the local instruments  

like Khadtal, Nagara, Bhapang, Morchang, Sarangi,  

Kamaycha etc. which make you feel the perseverance  

of culture that Rajasthan, the land of the kings  

embodies.  

References 

• The information about Khejari tree has been  taken from chapter-4, The story of Amrita,  

Looking Around-Class 4, Environmetal Studies  Textbok, NCERT 

• The information about Camel has been taken  from Unit-10, The ship of the desert,  

Marigold-Class 3, English Textbook, NCERT 

• The information about Chinkara (Indian  

Gazelle) has been taken from Wildlife  

Protection Act, 1972 and the official website  

of Forest Department, Government of  

Rajasthan and Haryana. 

• The information about Godawan or The Great  Indian Bustard has been taken from the  

website of Forest Department, Government  

of Rajasthan, PIB Report- Conservation Plan  

for Great Indian Bustards- posted on 27th 

March 2023 and through conversing a  

naturalist at Desert National Park, Rajasthan.

By Rahul Kumar