Government Medical College, Pali, Rajasthan

Pali is a city in Rajasthan state of western India. It is the administrative headquarters of Pali District and comes in the Marwar region. It is situated on the bank of the river Bandi and is 70 km south east of Jodhpur. It is known as "The Industrial City".

Geologists trace the existence of Pali to pre-historic age and maintain that it has emerged from the vast western sea spread over a large part of the present day Rajasthan. In the Vedic age Maharsi Javali stayed in this area for meditation and interpretation of Vedas. The Pandavas in the Mahabharata age also have made this area (near Bali) their resting place during the exile. As a part of ancient Arbuda Province, this area was known as Balla-Desh.

Historical relics depict the existence of this area during the Kushana Age, when King Kannishka had conquered Rohat and Jaitaran area, parts of today's Pali district, in 120 AD. Till the end of seventh century A. D., this area was reigned by the Chalukya King Harshavardhana who also conquered Bhinmal and most of the present area of Rajasthan.

After the Arab invasions of India this area was concentrated by Rajput rulers from all over India. During the period from 10th to 15th century, boundaries of Pali extended to adjoining Mewar, Godwad and Marwar. All Rajput rulers resisted the foreign invaders.

16th and 17th century saw a number of battles in the surrounding areas of Pali. Shershahsuri was defeated by Rajput rulers in the battle of Gini, Mughal emperor Akbar's army had constant battles with MaharanaPratap in Godwad area. Again after the Mughals had conquered almost all of Rajputana, Veer Durga Das Rathore of Marwar made organized efforts to redeem the Marwar area from Aurangzeb, the last Mughal emperor. By then Pali had become subservient to Rathores of Marwar state.

Pali remained a part of the Marwar kingdom until 1949, when the last ruling Maharaja acceded to newly independent India. The oldest temple in Pali is the temple of Somanatha. MaharanaPratap was born in Pali. His birthplace is known as Dhan Mandipali.

Geography

Pali is located at 25.77°N 73.33°E. It has an average elevation of 214 metres (702 feet).

Famous In Pali

Pali is famous for its sweet named Gulab Halwa made from milk. Pali is also famous for its Heena (Mehandi) (which is mainly produced in Sojat city which is 39.5 km away from Pali) production in India. It is also known as textile hub of Rajasthan. It is also well known for Kulfi and ice cream. Pali is also famous for Umed mill which is a very big mill in Rajasthan founded on the name of Maharaja Shri Umed Singh.

Places of Interest -

Hinglaj Maa Temple, Shri Navlakha Parshwanath Jain Temple, Devgiri Temple Bhatund, Bhatund Village of Temples, Bangur Museum, Lakhotia Garden, Somnath Mandir, Hemawas Dam and Manpura Bhakri, Baoris, Maharana Pratap Smarak, Maha Laxmi Mandir, Brahmapuri

Other places of Interest -

Naulakha Jain temple, Aamleshwar Mahadev Mandir, Radha Krishna Astrological House, Bajrang Bag, Karni Mata Temple, Hemavas Dam, Geeta Bhavan, Bangur museum, Bangurmandir, Sai baba temple, Keshav Bhawan (Sanghkaryalay), Maharana Pratap Smarak (Birthplace of Pratap) and Illogi Temple are some of other places of interest.