The Government of Rajasthan has officially renamed three towns- Mount Abu, Kaman, and Jahazpur—as part of a broader initiative to restore historical identities and move away from colonial-era place names.
The decision was announced in the State Assembly and aligns with a nationwide trend of decolonisation and cultural reclamation of historical place names.
Renamed Towns in Rajasthan
| Old Name | New Name | District | Historical Significance |
| Mount Abu | Abu Raj | Sirohi | Derived from ancient “Arbuda” references |
| Kaman | Kamvan | Bharatpur | Linked to Krishna’s Braj mythology |
| Jahazpur | Yagyapur | Bhilwara | Associated with Vedic fire rituals |
Mount Abu = Abu Raj
Location
- District: Sirohi, Rajasthan
- Rajasthan’s only hill station
- Part of the Aravalli Range
Reason for Renaming
The name “Abu Raj” reflects the region’s ancient historical identity linked to Arbuda, mentioned in Puranic literature.
Historical & Mythological Background of Mount Abu
Ancient Name
- Arbudaranya (“Forest of Arbuda”) in Puranic texts.
Sage Traditions
- Associated with Sage Vashistha who reportedly used the region as a retreat after disagreements with Sage Vishwamitra.
Serpent Legend
- A serpent named Arbhuda is believed to have saved Nandi, giving the mountain its name.
Agnivanshi Rajput Origin Myth
- Sage Vashistha performed a yajna at Mount Abu.
- From the sacred fire emerged the first Agnivanshi Rajput, symbolising protection of righteousness.
Cultural & Religious Significance
Guru Shikhar
- Highest peak in the Aravalli Range.
- Houses the Guru Dattatreya Temple.
- Associated with Dattatreya, an incarnation of the divine trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva).
Dilwara Jain Temples
- Among the finest Jain temples in the world.
- Built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
- Famous for intricate marble carvings.
Other Renamings
Kaman = Kamvan
- Located in Bharatpur district.
- Lies within the Braj cultural region.
- Mentioned in:
- Bhagavata Purana
- Skanda Purana
- Kamvan refers to an ancient forest associated with the childhood of Krishna.
Jahazpur = Yagyapur
- Located in Bhilwara district.
- The new name highlights links with Vedic yajna traditions.
- Emphasises the town’s spiritual and ritual heritage.
Decolonisation of Place Names
The renaming initiative reflects a wider national trend where Indian states are revisiting place names to:
- Restore indigenous historical identities
- Strengthen cultural and linguistic heritage
- Remove colonial-era nomenclature
- Reinforce regional pride and historical memory