Marwar

Marwar (Marwari: [maːɾwaːɽ], also called Jodhpur region, Marwari: [d͡ʒoːd̪ʱpʊɾ]) is a cultural and historical region in the western part of the Indian state of Rajasthan. The Thar Desert is located in this region of Rajasthan and stretches westward into Pakistan's Sindh province. The language of this region is known as Marwari, which is the most widely spoken language of the Rajasthani family of languages. In its most contracted definition, Marwar refers to the area governed by the erstwhile princely state of Jodhpur, comprising present-day districts of Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Nagaur, and Pali. Although the former kingdoms of Bikaner and Jaisalmer were independent of the Marwar state, they are often included in the broader Marwar region due to geographical and cultural affinities. The region has lent its name to the Marwaris, also known as Marwari Banias—a historically enterprising trading community that migrated across India, and came to play a significant role in the country's commercial and financial spheres. Historically, the term 'Marwar' referred to a geographical entity spanning a cultural area across nearly all of Rajasthan.