The city of Ajmer was one of the few places in Rajasthan controlled directly by the British rather than being part of a princely state. The British chose Ajmer as the site for Mayo College, a prestigious school opened in 1875 exclusively for the Indian Princes, but today open to all those who can afford the fees. Ajmer is a major centre for Muslim pilgrims during the fast of Ramadan, and has some impressive Muslim architecture. However for most travellers, Ajmer is essentially just a stepping stone to nearby Pushkar. It can make a convenient base if you can't get accommodation in Pushkar during the Camel Fair.

PLACES OF INTEREST ARE:

Dargah Sharif: At the foot of a desolate hill in the old part of town, this is one of India's most important places for Muslim pilgrims. The Dargah was the Sufi saint, Khawaja Muin-uddin Chishti, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192. Construction of the Shrine was completed by Humayun, and the gate added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Akbar used to make the pilgrimage to the Dargah from Agra once a year. You may have to cover your head in certain areas so bring a scarf or cap.

As you enter the courtyard, removing your shoes at the gateway, a mosque constructed by Akbar is on the right. In an inner courtyard, there is another mosque built by Shah Jahan. Constructed of white marble, it has two majestic arches and a Persian inscription running the full length of the building.

The saint's tomb is in the centre of the second courtyard, with a marble dome and the actual tomb inside, surrounded by a silver platform. The horseshoes nailed to the shrine doors are offerings from successful horse dealers! The tome attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year on the anniversary of the saint's death, the Urs, in the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It's an interesting festival, with Sufis and pilgrims from all over India converging in this place.

Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra: A remarkable structure, this is a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture located on the outskirts of the city, just beyond the Dargah. As the legend goes, its construction took two and a half days (Adhai-Din) to complete. It was originally a Sanskrit college, built within a temple.

In 1193 A.D., Mohammed Ghauri conquered Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding a seven-arched wall in front of the pillared hall in just two-and-half days (adhai-din), and hence the name. The distinct pillars and arched "Screen" with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.

Taragarh Fort: Taragarh, also known as Garh Beetli, is a circumvallation of the crest of the hill which overhangs the town of Ajmer, and commands a view of it from every point. The principal strength of the fort lies in the ruggedness and acclivity of the hill.

The space within the walls of this hill fort is about 32 hectares with several tanks. From 1818 to 1832, a company of Native Infantry occupied it, but the fort was dismantled in 1832. From 1860 to 1920, other accommodation on the hill was used as the sanitarium for the European troops stationed at Nasirabad. It is now in a dilapidated and forlorn state, though the hill still commands a majestic view.

Mayo College: In 1870 a Darbar was held in which Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India, proposed that an institution be set up at Ajmer for the education of princes and sons of nobility.

Its foundation stone was laid in 1878 and the building, constructed in white marble in Indo Saracenic style, was inaugurated by the Maruis of Dufferin in 1885. Sometimes known as the Eton of India, the institution had the distinction of enrolling several ruling princes, not only from Rajputana States, but from also from elsewhere. It is now open to all sections of society and is still one of the best schools in the country.

The Circuit House: The former British Residency, overlooking the artificial lake Ana Sagar, has now been converted into the Circuit House. The Ana Sagar Lake, the cenotaph and the shrine of Hindu reformer Swami Dayanand, founder of the Arya Samaj movement in India, can be viewed from here.

Nasiyan (Jain Temple): Buiilt in 1864-1865 A.D., this Digambar Jain Temple is commonly called Lal Mandir (Red Temple) due to its colour. Behind the temple is Swarna Nagari Hall, containing gilt-edged wooden representations from Jain mythology, which were prepared at Jaipur.

MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES:
Government Museum: Situated in the heart of the old city and close to the railway station, the museum is housed in the beautiful fort and palace built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570.

It was here that the British envoy Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor Jahangir in 1616. What is today commonly known as the Magazine is the palace quarters where the emperors lived. After British occupation in 1818, and during the first war of Independence in 1857, it was used as the Rajputana Arsenal by the British, which gave the name Magazine.

EXCURSIONS
Baghera: Baghera is situated in the Kekri sub-division of Ajmer District, about 107 kms south-east of Ajmer. The village is known for its treasure-trove of archaeological and antiquarian relics. It's old name was Vyagreraka, as recorded in the Bijolia rock inscription during the reign of the Chauhan Emperor, Someswara, and dated around 1226. Baghera attracted the attention of archaeologist A.C.L. Carllyle, who examined its relics in 1871-72.

Baghera is well known for its archaeological sites. The most renowned is the temple of Varaha Avtar (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of a boar). It is presently enshrined in a comparatively modern building on the southern side of a big sacred tank known as Varaha Sagar. On the western side of the Varaha Sagar are the ruins of an ancient temple dating back to 10th-11th century A.D. Naginabagh offers a rare sight of low lying mounds having traces of ancient buildings buried underneath. On the outskirts of Baghera there is a rocky area named Mataji Dungar. Here one can behold the mystifying sight of Jain images jutting out of land. These images mark the site of a famous Jain temple referred to in the inscriptions of the medieval period.

Todgarh: Todgarh is picturesque place situated in the Aravallis, the oldest mountain range in the world. Captain Tod built the fort of Todgarh, situated 120 kms south of Ajmer. In early times, nomadic tribes like the Banjaras and Gurjars inhabited this area.

Kishangarh: Kishangarh was the capital of the erstwhile princely State of the same name and was founded in 1611 by Kishan Singh, the son of the Rathore dynasty of Jodhpur. One of his successors was Raja Sawant Singh, who was not only an accomplished poet, writing under the nom-de-plume of Nagari Das, but also a painter of high order. His masterpiece Bani Thani (a bewitching lady personifying everything beautiful in womanhood) immortalized him and gave a new theme and direction to the Kishangarh School of painting. In recent years, the town has become a trade centre for various varieties of marble and papier mache products.

Roopangarh Fort: Built in 1648 and named after himself, the town and Fort of Roopangarh was constructed by Maharaja Roop Singh of Kishangarh State in the 17th to 18th centuries. This is called the 'Golden Period' of Kishangarh art and culture, and saw to the flourishing of the world famous School of Miniature Paintings.

Originally a nine turreted Fort, Roopangarh Fort has been built over and added on by several generations and the different styles can still be seen in the structure. Now beautifully restored and renovated into a hotel, it is the first 'War-Fort' to have been done so. The nineteen large rooms are individually and tastefully decorated, keeping in mind the history and heritage surrounding it.

Beawar: 54 kms from Ajmer, this town is noted for a Badshahi procession festival that is celebrated every year on the day after Holi (Dhulandi), when large numbers of people take to the outdoors and throw gulal (dry coloured powder) on each other with great flourish and excitement.