Introduction: Separating the areas from Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Banswara districts of Rajasthan. The district of Pratapgarh came into existence as a separate district on January 26, 2008. Geographically it is located at 24.03° N 74.78° E. Located in the southeastern part of Rajasthan. The district is covered by Udaipur and Bhialwara district of Rajathan and Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is highest place in Rajasthan after Mount Abu.
History: The history goes back to 14th century when the princely state of Chittorgarh was under the dominance of Maharana Kumbha. Due to some personal disputes between him and his younger brother Kshemkarn, Maharana Kumbha kicked him our from his state. as the result Kshemkara’s family had to find their place in the hills of aravalli ranges in the southern part of Rajasthan.
Here, Kshemkaran’s son Rajkumar Surajmal attacked and conquered the areas occupied by the tribes (adivasis) who dominated the area of Devgarh. After conquering Devgarh he started expanding the boundaries of his state during 1514. This state later came to known as Pratapgarh Raj.
As the then royal family was not comfortable with the environment of Devgarh, one of the successors of Raja Surajmal, Raja Pratapsingh constructed a new place in 1698 and named it as Pratapgarh. With the formation of Pratapgarh as the new capital the royal palace of old capital Devgarh started demolishing.
Later in 1867 Raja Udai Singh, the then ruler of Pratapgarh started developing the new palace in Pratapgarh based on the standard guidelines declared by the British empire. And this laid the expansion and corner stone of the modern Pratapgarh district, which we see today.
The district is blessed as the best place for eco tourism. The main tourist destinations are Sita Mata sanctuary, and if some body is fortunate he can also find Flying squirrel, Black Naped Monarch Lesser Florican etc also in the area.
Tourist Destinations: Pratapgarh is one of those districts of Rajasthan, which are best suitable for eco tourism. Though district is newly constructed, the major tourist destinations are:
Jhakham Dam: The construction of this dam was completed in 1986. Constructed on the river Jhakham which is subsidiaryriver of >Mahiriver is located at village Anupurra in Pratapgarh Tehsil of district.
Sitamata Sanctuary: Based on the belief that when Lord Ram sent Sita Mata into the jungle after coming back from Lanka, maa Sita stayed here in the cottage of Rishi Valimiki. Expanded in the area of aravalli and vindhyanchal mountains, the major attraction of this sanctuary are leopard, hyena, jackal, fox jungle cat, porcupine, spotted deer, wild bear, four horned antelope and nilgai etc. If some body is fortunate then he can also find flying squirrel jumping on the trees in the night time.
Gautameshwar Temple: Owing the importance equivalent to pilgrimage of Haridawar, it is one the most famous temple in the area. Located in the Amod tehsil which is 3 kms away from district headquarter, the temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. It is believed that "Sultan of Malwa" tried to destroy the temple and made a wide cut into the shivlinga using his sword.
Bhanwar Mata Temple: Built in year 491 by King Gori of "Manvaiyani genus" the temple is also recognised as "Bhanwar Mata shakti Peeth". Located 3 KM away from chhoti sadari Teshsil of PratapGarh District. On the basis of available records this ancient temple was famous in the fifth century also.
Devgarh: Recognized as the old capital of Pratapgarh district and also called as ‘Devliya’ , the place is located on the small hill 13 kms away from the district. The place is famous for the temple of Beeja Mata, every year a huge fair is organized here. The other temple which is worthful to visit is Raghunath temple, which has a solar clock on the top of it. The specialty of this clock is that it tells time according to the light of sun. Besides this, there are few more temples which vouch the reason of calling this place ‘Devliya’ meaning the place of Gods.
Facts and Figures about Pratapgarh
|
Sr. No
|
Head
|
Unit
|
Details
|
|
1.
|
Area
|
Hect
|
411736
|
|
2.
|
Sub-Division
|
No.
|
05
|
|
3.
|
Tehsil
|
No.
|
05
|
|
4.
|
Sub-Tehsil
|
No.
|
01
|
|
5.
|
ILR
|
No.
|
19
|
|
6.
|
Patwar Mandal
|
No.
|
145
|
|
7.
|
Villages ( Aabad )
|
No.
|
970
|
|
8.
|
Villages ( Gair Aabad )
|
No.
|
38
|
|
9.
|
Total Revenue Village
|
No.
|
1008
|
|
10.
|
Panchayat Samiti
|
No.
|
05
|
|
11.
|
Nagar Palika
|
No.
|
02
|
|
12.
|
Total Population
|
No.
|
706807
|
|
13.
|
Population ( Rural )
|
No.
|
654776
|
|
14.
|
Population ( Urban )
|
No.
|
52031
|
|
15.
|
Population ( Male )
|
No.
|
359021
|
|
16.
|
Population ( Female )
|
No.
|
347786
|
|
17.
|
Population Density
|
Per Sq. Km.
|
133.6
|
|
18.
|
Sex Ratio ( Female ) Per thousand Male
|
No.
|
964
|
|
19.
|
Literacy ( Total )
|
%
|
47.12
|
|
20.
|
Literacy ( Male)
|
%
|
63.45
|
|
21.
|
Literacy ( Female )
|
%
|
30.46
|
Connectivity:
By Road: Pratapgarh has a well developed road infrastructural connectivity major cities in Rajasthan, Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh. There are daily Buses to Chittorgarh ( 110 KM ), Banswara (85 KM), Udaipur (165 KM), Dungarpur (195 KM), Rajsamand (233 KM), Jodhpur (435 KM), Jaipur (432 KM) in within the state of Rajasthan. Ratlam (85 KM), Mandsaur (32 KM) in M.P and Delhi (705 KM).
By Rail: As a newly constructed district Pratapgarh lags proper railway facilties. Nearest railway station are Mandsaur (M.P.) which is 32 KM & Chittorgarh is railway station in Rajasthan which is 110 KM away.
By Air: Like the railways, Pratapgarh has to develop a lot in the means of connectivity by Air. Dabok Airport ( Udaipur ) which is 145 KM is the closest Airport.