<P> Rajasthan's formerly independent kingdoms created a rich architectural and cultural heritage, seen today in their numerous forts and palaces (Mahals and Havelis) which are enriched by features of Muslim and Jain architecture . </P> <P> Since the early 1700s, the Maratha Empire began expanding northwards, led by Peshwa Baji Rao I of Pune . This expansion finally brought the newly founded Hindu Maratha Empire in contact with the Rajputs . Rajasthan saw many invasions by the Marathas, under military leadership of Holkars and Scindhias . Most of Rajputana passed under the control of the Maratha Empire and continued to pay tribute to Pune till the British East India Company replaced the Marathas as paramount rulers . </P> <P> The arrival of the British East India Company in the region led to the administrative designation of some geographically, culturally, economically and historically diverse areas, which had never shared a common political identity, under the name of the Rajputana Agency . This was a significant identifier, being modified later to Rajputana Province and lasting until the renaming to Rajasthan in 1949 . The Company officially recognised various entities, although sources disagree concerning the details, and also included Ajmer - Merwara, which was the only area under direct British control . Of these various areas, Marwar and Jaipur were the most significant in the early 19th - century, although it was Mewar that gained particular attention from James Tod, a Company employee who was enamoured of Rajputana and wrote extensively, if often uncritically, of the people, history and geography of the Agency as a whole . Alliances were formed between the Company and these various princely and chiefly entities in the early 19th century, accepting British sovereignty in return for local autonomy and protection from the Marathas . Following the Mughal tradition and more importantly due to its strategic location Ajmer became a province of British India, while the autonomous Rajput states, the Muslim state Tonk (princely state), and the Jat states Bharatpur, (Dholpur) were organized into the Rajputana Agency . In 1817 - 18, the British Government concluded treaties of alliance with almost all the states of Rajputana . Thus began the British rule over Rajasthan, then called Rajputana . </P> <P> The name of Rajasthan was probably popularised by Tod and during his lifetime some people believed that he had coined it . Although he claimed that it was the classical name for the region, the term seems first to be documented in an inscription dating from 1708 and to have become popular by his time . </P>

First state of rajasthan sign treaties with the british
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