Kekri, Rajasthan
Kekri
Kankavati Nagri | |
|---|---|
 Ajmeri Gate of Kekri city | |
  Kekri Location in Rajasthan, India  Kekri Kekri (India) | |
| Coordinates: 25°58′N 75°09′E / 25.97°N 75.15°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District | Ajmer |
| Assembly constituency | Kekri Vidhansabha |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Ajmer Lok Sabha |
| Established | c. 884 CE |
| Municipality | 1879 |
| Named after | Kankavati |
| Elevation | 347 m (1,138 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| 202,758 | |
| • Urban | 41,890 |
| • Rural | 160,868 |
| Languages | |
| • Spoken | Dhundari, Marwari, Hindi |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Postal code | 305404 |
| Area code | 01467 |
| Vehicle registration | RJ-48 |
Kekri (Hindi pronunciation: [ˈkeːkɽiː]) is a city in the Ajmer district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It historically formed part of the Ajmer–Merwara region during British rule and developed as a municipal and administrative centre, with a municipality established in 1879.[2]
Kekri was designated as the headquarters of the short-lived Kekri district during the 2023 administrative reorganisation of Rajasthan. The district was created by the Government of Rajasthan through a Revenue Department notification as part of the formation of 19 new districts in the state, carved out from parts of Ajmer district and Tonk district.[3][4]
However, following a subsequent administrative review and reorganisation process by the state government, the earlier district structure was altered and Kekri was reintegrated into Ajmer district.[5]
In recent years, Kekri has emerged as a centre for higher and professional education, particularly in medical and allied health sciences. The presence of multiple educational institutions has contributed to its development as an emerging educational hub in the region.[6][7][8][9][10][11]
History
Kekri is believed to have been established around 884 CE and was historically known as Kanakavati Nagari.[12] According to local traditions, the name is associated with Kanakavati, after whom a memorial (samadhi) was constructed at Baba Talab following her act of sati.[12] Over time, the name of the town evolved from Kanakavati to Kekri.[12] Kekri historically formed part of the Ajmer region.[12][13] Over time, Ajmer came under the control of various ruling powers, including the Chauhans, Sisodias, Rathores, Mughals, Scindias, Marathas, and later the British.[13][12] As a result, the political authority over Kekri generally followed these broader changes in the Ajmer region.[12]
The town developed in two distinct phases: Old Kekri and New Kekri. Old Kekri is attributed to settlement during the period of Maratha influence, while New Kekri was established in 1840 under the supervision of Colonel Dixon, then a British administrator.[12] The newer settlement was planned using a grid-iron pattern, with systematically laid intersecting roads.[12]
During the British period, Kekri functioned as an administrative unit under an Extra Assistant Commissioner.[2]
Kekri later developed into a municipal town, with a municipality established in 1879.[14] It was one of the three municipalities in the district, alongside Ajmer and Beawar.[15]
The Town Hall of Kekri was constructed in 1928 and currently functions as Gandhi Bhavan, serving municipal administrative purposes.[12]
Historical sites
Baghera
The nearby village of Baghera,located near Kekri, is a historically significant archaeological site associated with the medieval cultural region of Ajaymeru. The village contains the historic Toran Stambh (ornamental gateway) and the ancient Shukar Varah Mandir, both of which are listed as State Protected Monuments by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan.[16]
Baghera has yielded numerous medieval-period sculptures, temple fragments, pillars, inscriptions and architectural remains dating mainly to the 10th–12th centuries CE. Artefacts recovered from the site, including images of Varaha, Surya, Shiva and carved stone heads, are preserved in the Government Museum, Ajmer (Rajputana Museum).[17]
According to local folklore, Baghera is also associated with the legendary Rajasthani love story of Dhola Maru. Local traditions identify the village's historic Toran Dwar as the ceremonial site linked to the marriage of Dhola and Maru, a story that continues to form part of regional folk culture and oral traditions.[18]
Junia
Archaeological discoveries from nearby villages in the Kekri region, including Junia, further indicate the area's historical significance during the early medieval period. Sculptures recovered from the region include a black stone image of Brahma dated to around the 10th century CE, reportedly discovered near Junia and associated by archaeologists with the antiquarian site of Baghera.[19]
Geography
Kekri is located in the southeastern part of Ajmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan and serves as one of the district's major subdivisions.[20] The region lies within the semi-arid transitional plains of eastern Rajasthan and forms part of the Banas River basin system.[21]
Topographically, the Kekri block is described as a level plain interspersed with scattered rocky outcrops associated with the Aravalli geological system.[21] Elevation in the block ranges from approximately 301 metres to 547 metres above mean sea level, representing the lowest minimum elevation recorded in Ajmer district.[21] The area is drained by tributaries of the Banas and Khari rivers along with seasonal streams locally influenced by the district's monsoon drainage network.[21]
The geology of the region primarily consists of metamorphic formations belonging to the Bhilwara Supergroup, comprising metasedimentary rocks with associated igneous intrusions.[21] Groundwater occurs mainly within weathered and fractured hard-rock aquifers, which constitute the principal source of irrigation and domestic water supply in the region.[21]
Kekri experiences a semi-arid climate characterized by hot summers, a southwest monsoon season, and mild winters. According to hydrogeological records of the Government of Rajasthan, the Kekri block receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 756.6 mm.[21] Rainfall is seasonal and irregular, with most precipitation occurring during the monsoon months.[21]
Pre-monsoon groundwater levels in most parts of the Kekri block generally range between 10 and 20 metres below ground level, while some southeastern areas exhibit comparatively shallow groundwater occurrence.[21] Groundwater flow in the district broadly follows a northwestern to southeastern gradient.[22]
Agriculture dominates the surrounding rural landscape and depends heavily on groundwater irrigation and monsoon rainfall.[23] Open wells and tube wells constitute the primary irrigation sources in the region.[24] Major crops cultivated in and around Kekri include wheat, mustard, gram, barley, bajra, maize, pulses, and oilseeds.[25]
Geographic and hydrogeological characteristics
| Feature | Data | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation range | 301–547 m above mean sea level | [21] |
| Topography | Predominantly level plain with rocky outcrops | [21] |
| Average annual rainfall | Approximately 756.6 mm | [21] |
| Major drainage system | Banas and Khari river tributaries | [21] |
| Principal aquifer type | Weathered and fractured hard-rock aquifers | [21] |
| Typical pre-monsoon groundwater depth | 10–20 metres below ground level | [21] |
| Main irrigation sources | Open wells and tube wells | [26] |
Climate
Kekri has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and seasonal monsoon rainfall.[21]
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate type | Semi-arid |
| Average annual rainfall | 756.6 mm |
| Main rainy season | June–September |
| Major water source | Groundwater |
School education
Kekri has several government and private schools providing primary and secondary education. These institutions are affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan and the Central Board of Secondary Education. Formal schooling in the town dates back to the late 19th century.
The Government Senior Secondary School, Kekri (established in 1894) is among the oldest educational institutions in the town and provides education up to the higher secondary level.[27]
Higher education
Kekri hosts several institutions offering higher and professional education across disciplines such as arts, science, commerce, information technology, nursing, agriculture, and AYUSH systems of medicine.
Major institutions in the town include Government College, Kekri (affiliated with Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University), National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, Kekri, Govt. Model Nursing Institute and Center for Excellence for Midwifery, Kekri, University College of Homoeopathy Kekri (affiliated with Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University), Government Agriculture College, Kekri, Government Ayurvedic College, Kekri, and Government Yog and Naturopathy Medical College, Kekri.[28][7][8][29][10][11][30][9]
The presence of these institutions has contributed to the town’s emergence as a regional centre for higher and professional education.
Healthcare
Kekri has government healthcare facilities serving the town and surrounding rural areas. The Government District Hospital Kekri provides general medical and emergency healthcare services under various state and national health programmes.[31]
The town also has a government Ayurvedic hospital providing traditional Ayurvedic healthcare services.[32]
A government veterinary hospital in Kekri provides animal healthcare and veterinary services for livestock and domestic animals in the region.[33]
Primary healthcare services in nearby rural areas are supported through government primary health centres and community health centres in the Kekri.
Judiciary
Kekri Court Complex
The Kekri Court Complex is a subordinate judicial establishment located in Kekri, in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan, India. It functions under the Ajmer District Courts and is part of the judicial system of Rajasthan.[34]
The complex handles civil and criminal cases at the subordinate level and includes courts of Additional District and Sessions Judges and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates.
Courts functioning at the complex include:[35]
- Additional District and Sessions Judge No. 1, Kekri
- Additional District and Sessions Judge No. 2, Kekri
- Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate No. 1, Kekri
- Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate No. 2, Kekri
- Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate Court, Kekri
Transport
RSRTC Depot
The Kekri RSRTC Depot is a bus depot of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC), serving Kekri and surrounding regions in Ajmer district. RSRTC is the primary provider of intercity bus transport in Rajasthan.[36]
The depot facilitates operation and maintenance of roadways buses and supports passenger transport services connecting Kekri with various cities across Rajasthan. The establishment of the depot has strengthened public transport infrastructure in the region.
Additionally, Kekri has an RSRTC bus stand providing passenger enquiry and bus services.[37]
District Transport Office
The District Transport Office (DTO), Kekri is a regional unit of the Transport Department, Government of Rajasthan. It administers motor vehicle services in Kekri and nearby areas of Ajmer district.[38]
Vehicles registered in Kekri bear the registration code RJ-48. The office provides services such as vehicle registration, driving licence issuance and renewal, collection of road taxes, issuance of permits, and vehicle fitness certification.
Rail
The nearest major railway station to Kekri is Nasirabad railway station, which connects the region with major cities of Rajasthan and India.[39]
Air
The nearest airport is Kishangarh Airport (Ajmer Airport), located near Kishangarh in Ajmer district.[40]
Notable people
- Haribhau Upadhyay (1892–1972) was a freedom fighter, the first Chief Minister of Ajmer, and a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress. He represented the Kekri constituency as an MLA for two terms (1957–1967) and served as the Finance and Education Minister of Rajasthan.
Places of interest
- Bisalpur Dam – a major reservoir in Tonk district located about 55 km from Kekri.
- Hadirani ka Kund - a historical tourist site located about 40 km from Kekri.
- Ramsnehi Ramdwara – a prominent religious and spiritual site located about 55 km from Kekri.
- Negadiya Bridge – a notable bridge and local attraction near the region.
- Fatehgarh Fort – a historic fort located near Kekri.
Nearby cities and towns
See also
References
- ↑ "Rajasthan Census 2011". Rajasthan: Directorate of Census Operations Rajasthan. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- 1 2 "Gazetteer of the Ajmer-Merwara". Government of India. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rajasthan announces 19 new districts, 3 new divisions". Business Standard. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "19 new districts and 3 new divisions in Rajasthan". Drishti IAS. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rajasthan government reverses some district reorganisation decisions". The Times of India. 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Government Model Nursing Institute inaugurated in Kekri". Dainik Bhaskar. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Introduction - NIELIT Kekri". National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- 1 2 "GNM Training Institutions in Rajasthan". Rajasthan Nursing Council. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- 1 2 "AYUSH Counselling – List of Yog and Naturopathy Colleges in Rajasthan" (PDF). AYUSH Counselling Board, Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Govt Agriculture College Kekri". Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Government Ayurvedic College Kekri". Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Kekri Urban Development Report" (PDF). Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- 1 2 Har Bilas Sarda (1911). Ajmer: Historical and Descriptive. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ "Gazetteer of the Ajmer-Merwara". Government of India. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Gazetteer of the Ajmer-Merwara". Government of India. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Monuments – Department of Archaeology and Museums, Rajasthan". Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Catalogue and Guide to Rajputana Museum, Ajmer, Rajasthan" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "अजमेर जिले में हुआ ढोला-मारू का बाल विवाह". Dainik Bhaskar. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Catalogue and Guide to Rajputana Museum, Ajmer, Rajasthan" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Ajmer District Profile". Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ground Water Atlas of Ajmer District (PDF) (Report). Public Health Engineering Department, Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "Hydrogeological Atlas of Rajasthan – Ajmer District". Ground Water Department, Rajasthan. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "District Profile". Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ajmer. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ ALOLI IWMP Project, Kekri, Ajmer (PDF) (Report). Watershed Development and Soil Conservation Department, Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "District Profile". Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ajmer. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ ALOLI IWMP Project, Kekri, Ajmer (PDF) (Report). Watershed Development and Soil Conservation Department, Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "Know Your School - UDISE+". Ministry of Education, Government of India. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Government College Kekri". Department of College Education, Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "B.Sc Nursing Colleges in Rajasthan". Rajasthan Nursing Council. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Government of Rajasthan Official Document" (PDF). Jan Kalyan Portal, Government of Rajasthan.
- ↑ "Government District Hospital Kekri". Top Rated Online. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Kekri". Mappls. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Primary Veterinary Hospital, Kekri". Mappls. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "List of Judicial Officers". District & Sessions Court, Ajmer. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "Kekri Court Complex – Cause List". eCourts India. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation". Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "Depot Enquiry". Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "Contact Details – Transport Department Rajasthan". Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "Nasirabad Railway Station". India Rail Info. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Kishangarh Airport". Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 10 May 2026.