Hin: बांसवाड़ा bānsavāṛā

‘Bamboo Country’ – City/District, Rajasthan

From Bansia, a Bhil tribal chief or Hin: bã̄s/bans, ‘bamboo’ forests; and vāṛā, ‘abode/place with’, ‘settlement’.

Banswara is something of a green oasis with an abundance of thick bamboo forests. This is probably because it has the highest rainfall in the state (990mm p.a.), earning itself the nickname ‘Cherrapunji of Rajasthan’. It is also called the ‘City of a Hundred Islands’ after the only partly submerged hills in the backwaters of the Mahi River Dam.

For related place names see Indian Place names and Rajasthan place names.

 

Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam    Banswara Tourism