An early form of Rajasthani started developing in the 11th century from Saurseni Prakrit as Maru-Gurjar or Gurjar Apabhramsa.
[1] Medieval Rajasthani literature was mostly heroic poetry mentioning the great kings and fighters of Rajasthan.
Rabindra Nath Tagore, a Bengali polymath, once said, "The heroic sentiment which is the essence of every song and couplet of a Rajasthani is peculiar emotion of its own of which, however, the whole country may be proud".
It is generally agreed that modern Rajasthani literature began with the works of Suryamal Misran,[2] including the Vansa Bhaskara and the Vir Satsai.
The Vansa Bhaskara contains accounts of the Rajput princes who ruled in what was then Rajputana (at present the state of Rajasthan), during the lifetime of the poet (1872–1952).
The first mention of Rajasthani literature was in Jain muni Udyotan Suri's (778 AD)[3] novel Kuvalaya-mālā, where the language is referred to as "Marubhasha".
[4] The roots of Rajasthani literature can be found in both the 11th and 12th centuries when Maru-Gurjari began to develop as a language.
[5] Charans have produced many outstanding poets, historians, warriors, loyal courtiers and scholars in various fields.
The writers of the Charan genre demonstrated their talent by writing in multiple rasa, including vira, sringara and bhakti at the same time.
[6] The heroic poetry of Charan literature inspired the warriors to fight till death for the honor of their land, religion, women and the oppressed.
It is a very vibrant and powerful literature, and hence it played a very important role in shaping and molding the destiny of western-India and its heroes.
Major books like Kanhadde Prabandha, Hammirayan, Bisaldev Raso, Ranmal Chhand etc.
In the medieval period, in the stream of Bhakti movement, in the calm and mild climate of Rajasthan, many Nirguni and Saguni saints and mahatmas emerged on this land.
The generous saints have written vast literature in the local language in devotion to God and for the welfare of the common people.
Khuman Raso[11] (Dalpat Vijay): This book in Pingal language[12] describes the rulers of Mewar from Bappa Rawal to Maharaja Raj Singh.
Sagat Raso (Girdhar Asiya): This Dingal text describes Maharana Pratap's younger brother Shaktisingh.
Hammir Raso (Jodhraj): This poetic book contains a detailed description of the genealogy of Ranthambore ruler Rana Chauhan, his war with Alauddin Khilji and his bravery.
Gajgunrupak (Keshavdas Gadan): It describes the state glory, pilgrimage and wars of Maharaja Gajraj Singh of Jodhpur.
Suraj Prakas (Karnidan Kaviya): It describes the events from the beginning of the Rathore dynasty of Jodhpur till the time of Maharaja Abhay Singh.
Ekalinga Mahatmya (Kanha Vyas): It provides information about the genealogy of Guhil rulers and the political and social organization of Mewar.
Padmavat (Malik Mohammad Jayasi): Composed around 1543 AD, this epic describes the desire of Alauddin Khilji and Mewar ruler Rawal Ratan Singh to obtain Queen Padmini.
Nallasingh was a Bhat of Sirohiya branch and he was a dependent poet of Yayuvanshi king Vijaypal of Vijaygarh.
Nagar Samuchaya (Bhakt Nagaridas): This book is a collection of various compositions of King Sawantsingh (Nagridas) of Kishangarh.
Rajrupak (Veerbhan): This Dingal book describes the war (1787 AD) between Jodhpur Maharaja Abhay Singh and Gujarat's Subedar Sarbuland Khan.
This famous book of his, written in Braj language, is an excellent work of Shringaar Rasa.
Brajnidhi Granthawali: This is a compilation of poetic texts written by Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jaipur.
Hammid Hatha: Written by Chandrashekhar, a poet dependent on Bundi Shasan Rao Surjan.
Achaldas Kheechi Ri Vachanika (Shivdas Gadan): This Dingal book, written between 1430 and 1435, describes the war (1423 AD) between Sultan Houshangshah of Mandu and Achaldas Khedi, the ruler of Gagraun (1423 AD) and brief information about the Khedi rulers.