Alwar

Alwar is a small town situated in the Alwar District of Rajasthan. Initially it was part of the Matsya region in the olden times, and had a capital called Virat Nagar. The region is a part of the National Capital Region (NCR), and about 150 km north of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. During the British rule in India, Alwar was the capital of the state.

Alwar is pre-dominantly inhabited by Yaduvanshi Ahirs. The hamlet has architectural forts built by Rajputs. Alwar was historically known as Matasya Desh, where the Pandavas spent an exile of thirteen years. A member from the Kuchch family laid the foundation of the city called Amber.

Alwar is situated between the small hills of the Aravalli range and has great historical importance. The place was also called Mewar. The place gradually came under the command of the Gujjars whose ruler was Mathandeva in the 11th century. Soon Sultan Bulban (1267 A.D. - 1287 A.D.) suppressed them, bringing the area under the Muslim rule.

Maharaja Pratap Singh, a Kuchhwaha Rajput in 1771 AD, won Alwar and established the principality. Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, popularly known as Hemu was born in this district, in a village called 'Maccheri Devat' in the year 1501. He won 22 battles against the Afghans. The “Rajyabhishek” (coronation) of King Hemu was done at Purana Quila in Delhi. He sacrificed his life fighting Mughals in the Second battle of Panipat.

Alwar has historical monuments surrounded by a lake and a valley. It is near the Sariska Tiger Reserve (a Project Tiger Reserve), and is famous for many spices. The town has the oldest working engines in the world. The first engine was built in the year 1855 as a means of transportation.

The best time to visit Alwar is from September to February when the weather remains fairly cool. The place is otherwise quite hot and has recorded temperatures as high as 50.6 °C on 10 May 1956.