Mewar and Marwar

Mewar and Marwar were two important Rajput-ruled regions in present-day Rajasthan, known for powerful kingdoms that often resisted larger empires like the Delhi Sultans and the Mughals.

• Mewar was centred around Chittor (Chittorgarh) and later Udaipur. Its rulers were mainly from the Sisodia clan and became famous for defending their independence.
• Marwar was centred around Jodhpur. Its rulers were mainly from the Rathore clan and were influential in the politics of western India.
• These were not just “places” but political powers with forts, armies, alliances, and rivalries—so their decisions affected trade routes, warfare, and control over Rajasthan.
• Geography mattered: the rugged hills and forests of the Aravalli range and the nearby desert areas made conquest difficult and helped Rajput rulers use local terrain for defence and quick attacks.
• Different responses to Mughal power can be seen through these regions: some Rajput rulers made alliances with the Mughals at times, while others—especially in Mewar—became symbols of resistance.

Knowing where Mewar and Marwar were helps explain why Rajput resistance remained strong in Rajasthan and why Mughal control there was often incomplete.