Home to the tribal with Bhils constituting half of the total
populations Banswara has its name derived from Bans or bamboo trees, which
once grew here in abundance. Maharawal Jamal Singh founded the erstwhile state.
With Udaipur and Chittorgarh, forming its boundaries, the district presently
comprises of the territories of former Banswara State and the Chieftainship
of Kushalgarh. While the central and western portion of the district are fertile
plains, the scattered ranges of the Aravali form the eastern region.
The ancient town is surrounded by a stone wall, now in ruins. A palace of
a former ruler of Banswara stands overlooking the town. The teak forests are
found on the slopes of the Aravalli hills. Mango, Khajur and Mahua trees are
also a part of the vegetation of the district. Banswara has rich wildlife
including squirrels, lizards, snakes, chinkara, ronj and four horned antelope.
Panthers can be seen rarely. The avian variety includes the black drongo,
grey shirke, green bee-eater, parrot, jungle crow, wood pecker and common
myna. Grey jungle fowl and grey partridge are generally spotted in the remote
parts of the forests.