Published: 26 March 2026Business StandardRajasthan
Rajasthan Renames Three Historic Towns: Mount Abu Becomes Abu Raj, Kaman Becomes Kamvan, Jahazpur Becomes Yagyapur
The Rajasthan State Government, under Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, officially renamed three historically and culturally significant towns in March 2026, as part of a broader effort to restore ancient identities and shed colonial-era nomenclature.
The three renamings are: (1) Mount Abu (Sirohi district) — renamed Abu Raj: Rajasthan's only hill station, the name 'Abu Raj' is rooted in ancient references to 'Arbuda Parvat' mentioned in Skanda Purana and reflects the area's regal heritage. Mount Abu is home to the renowned Dilwara Jain temples (11th–13th century), the Guru Shikhar peak (1,722 m — highest in Rajasthan), and the Nakki Lake. (2) Kaman (Bharatpur district) — renamed Kamvan: Situated in the Braj cultural region, Kaman is associated with Lord Krishna's early life and is referenced in the Bhagavata Purana and Skanda Purana as 'Kamavan' — the mythological forest of Kamadeva. (3) Jahazpur (Bhilwara district) — renamed Yagyapur: The town's Vedic heritage and association with ancient fire rituals (yagyas) is recognised by the new name.
The renamings align with the national trend of reclaiming pre-colonial identities — similar to renaming of Allahabad to Prayagraj, Faizabad to Ayodhya, and Mughal Sarai to Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar. The move requires formal approval from the Union Home Ministry and the Survey of India for maps and official records.
Mains angle
Q: Critically analyse the Rajasthan government's March 2026 decision to rename Mount Abu, Kaman and Jahazpur, and its implications for cultural identity. (10 marks)
Answer (50 words):
Mount Abu became Abu Raj from Skanda Purana's Arbuda Parvat, Kaman became Kamvan linked to Braj and Krishna traditions, and Jahazpur became Yagyapur honouring Vedic yagya heritage. The move, approved by the Bhajanlal Sharma government, reclaims precolonial identity but awaits Union Home Ministry and Survey of India validation.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionEasy
What new name for Mount Abu was announced by the Rajasthan government in February 2026?
Explanation · Correct answer AIn February 2026, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced in the Assembly that Mount Abu would be renamed Abu Raj. The same announcement renamed Kaman as Kamvan and Jahazpur as Yagyapur.
Frequently asked questions
Which three towns did the Rajasthan government rename in March 2026?
The Rajasthan government renamed Mount Abu (Sirohi) to Abu Raj, Kaman (Bharatpur) to Kamvan, and Jahazpur (Bhilwara) to Yagyapur in March 2026.
What is the rationale behind renaming these towns?
The renaming aims to restore ancient cultural, religious and Vedic identities by replacing British and colonial-era place names, consistent with India's broader decolonisation of place names drive.
What is the constitutional and administrative process for renaming places in India?
State governments have constitutional authority to rename places through a defined Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) process that requires no-objection certificates from the Railways, Survey of India, and Department of Posts.
What is the cultural significance of the new names Kamvan and Yagyapur?
Kamvan (formerly Kaman) in Bharatpur is linked to Braj cultural heritage, while Yagyapur (formerly Jahazpur) derives its new name from the Vedic 'yajna' (yagna) tradition, restoring ancient religious identities.
What are some other examples of place renaming in India similar to Rajasthan's 2026 decisions?
India's decolonisation drive has seen several renamings, such as Allahabad to Prayagraj and Faizabad to Ayodhya, of which Rajasthan's 2026 renamings are the latest examples.
