Prior to the present name Rajasthan, there was no single name in use. Various names were in prevalence for different regions or parts.
1. Jangal Desh was the name used for the present Bikaner and Jodhpur during the Mahabharat period. Therefore the Bikaner rulers designated themselves as Jangaldhar Badshai.
2. Sapadlaksha was the name popularly used for the central part of Nagaur and Ajmer. It was under the rule of the Chauhans.
3. Kuru Desh: It was the northern part of Alwar. Its capital was Indraprasth.
4. Matsay Desh was the southern and western part of Alwar. Its capital was Viratnagar.
5. Shursen was the name used for the eastern part of Alwar. Its capital was Mathura.
6. Shiva was the ancient name of the Udaipur state. Its capital was Madhyamika.
Today Madhyamika is known as Nagari. It has remained under suzerainty of Mev clan and as such it also came to be known as Medpaat or Pragwat.
1. Bagar was the name given to Dungarpur and Banswara region.
2. Maru and Marwar: It was the Jodhpur state and the southern part of Jodhpur was known as Gurjartara.
3. Arpud (Abu) was the part of Sirohi.
4. Jaisalmer was known as Maad and Kota and Bundi were commonly known as Hadauti.
5. It is a common belief that in 1800 George Thomas used for the first time the nomenclature, Rajputana for the whole of the above stated region. The famous historian, col. James Tod used the term Raithan or Rajasthan in his book, Annals and Antiquities in 1829. This name Rajasthan was officially accepted after India’s independence.
