Ajmer city is a famous pilgrimage place for Hindus as well as for Muslims alike who come to pray at the revered Dargah, or the holy shrine of the popular 13th century Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moin-ud-din Hasan Chishti. The Dargah, together with its mosques is believed to be a place of wish fulfillment for those who pray with devout and pure hearts. Every year, the six-day Urs Festival marks the death anniversary of Chishti. During this festival thousands of pilgrims of different faiths visit the Dargah from all over the world in prayer and celebration.

Ajmer was founded by Ajayadeva, an 11th-century Rajput ruler. It was annexed shortly afterwards by the Delhi Sultanate in 1193, but was returned to the local rulers upon payment of tribute. Ajmer became a part of the mighty Mughal Empire during the medieval period, and was then an important military center. Military campaigns against local Rajput rulers were initiated from Ajmer.

The Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, the patron saint of Ajmer, arrived here from Persia at the end of the 12th century. Born in Asfahan in 1135 he lost his father at a young age. As time passed, he came in touch with a mystic, Hazrat Ibrahim Qandoozi, who left his young mind with an impression that was never to be erased. Soon after, he recognized a higher calling and left for Khorasan.

Chishti traveled far and wide and during his search, met spiritual guide Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni, who accepted him as a mureed (spiritual disciple) and with whom he met mystics and sought the Truth. In 1186 he was appointed successor by his spiritual guide and a year later, after his visit to Medina, ensued on his journey to Ajmer.

The revered Sufi saint arrived in Ajmer in 1192 as an ambassador of peace and humanism. Popularly known as Gharib Nawaz (protector of the poor), he dedicated his entire life to the service of mankind. His simple life spanned almost a 100 years and he embraced death in solitude in 1236 while he had withdrawn to his cell for six days, asking not to be disturbed. The Dargah erected by Humayun also has mosques that were built by rulers like Shah Jahan, Jahangir and Akbar. Emperor Akbar made several pilgrimages to Ajmer on foot and also built the kos minars (brick pillars marking every two miles) along the road from Agra for pilgrims. He also built a fort here called Akbar’s Palace. The Emperor Shahjahan built marble pavilions around the Ana Sagar Lake in the 17th century. The Scindia rulers of Gwalior took over Ajmer, which was then taken over by the British in 1818. The British also founded the prestigious school, Mayo College, in Ajmer in 1875.