In the early times the Rajasthan literature was written in Sanskrit and Prakrit languages. In the beginning of the medieval period literature began to be written in Apabhransa and Marubhasha and the local dialects as Mewari Marwari Mewati, Dundari and Bagari, but the Sanskrit continued to evolve.

I. Sanskrit Literature: 

In Rajputana the learned rulers and state patrons (scholars) played a great role in evolving Sanskrit. This language was the medium of rock engravings, eulogies and dynastic citations. Maharana Kumbha himself was a great scholar, lover of music and a refuge giver ruler. He created Sangeetraj, Sud Prabandh, Sangeet Mimansa, Rasikpriya, Sangeet Ratnakar, etc. Mandan who was given refuge by Maharana Kumbha created many works related to architecture such as Devmurti prakaran, Rajvallabh Roopmandan, Prasad Mandan etc.

Babu Bhatt and Ranchod were the great scholars in the court of Rana Jagat Singh and Raj Singh, who wrote Jagannath Prashanti and Raj Singh Prashanti respectively. Amer-Jaipur Maharaja Man Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar, the Chauhan ruler of Ajmer, Vigarhraj IV and Prithviraj III and Rai Singh and Anup Singh of Bikaner were the Sanskrit scholars and they gave shelter to many Sanskrit scholars. Anup Singh got constructed Anup Sanskrit library in Bikaner.

Vigarhraj IV wrote Harikeli play. Jainayak, Prithviraj’s poet wrote Prithviraj Vijay. Other prominent Sanskrit creations are ‘Harivijay’ drama by Pandit Jaidev and Haribhushan by Gangaram Bhatt. Both were the Pratapgarh courtiers. Jaswant Singh of Marwar wrote Anand Vilash and Bhasha-Bhushan in Sanskrit. Man Singh of Jodhpur wrote Naath Charitar. Man Singh was a great lover of books. He got many Sanskrit scriptures from Kashi and Nepal and store them safely in library. Today this library is famous as the Man Singh Pustak Prakash Shodh Kendra.

II. Rajasthani Literature: 

Rajasthani language in the form of many dialects as Mewari, Marwari, Dundari, Hadoti, Bagari, Malavi, Mewati have been used to create literature in various styles as Jain, Charan, saint, folk etc. 

(i) Jain Style Literature: 

It is related with the Jain religion. It predominates in Shant Ras. Its prominent literary writings are Hemchand Suri’s Deshi Nam- mala, Shabdanushasan, Rishivardhan Suri’s Nal Damayanti Ras, Dharm Samudragani’s Ratri Bhojanras, Hemratn Suri’s Gaura Badal Ri-Chaupai. 

(ii) Charan Style Literature: It dominates in the Veer Ras and the Shringar Ras. Khyat, Duha etc. have been written in the verses as well as prose forms. Veer Bhajan by Badar Dadi is the early creation of the Charan style. Chand Bardai’s Prithviraj Raso, Nainsi’s Nainsi Ri Khyat, Bankidas’ Bankidas-Ri- Khyat, Dayaldas; Dayaldas-Ri-Khyat, Gadan Shivdas Achaladas Khinchi- Ri-Vachnika are the main scriptures of the Charan style which give the glimpses of history of Rajasthan. Dolamaru Ra-Duha, Sajjan-Ra-Duha are the important creations in Doha Chhand.

Besides Dursa Aara is also among the celebrated Charan style writers. He was a national patriot, stood for the unity of India and was all praise for Hindu culture and valour. Prithviraj Rathore, Bikaner ruler Kalyanal’s son’s Velikrisan Rukmani-Ri is considered to be the literary composition of the Rajasthani literature. Suryamall Meesan was the great poet of the modern-age and was a poet in the Bundi state. His well known works are Vansh Bhaskar and Veer Satsai.

(iii) Sant Literature: 

It has created a deep influence on the general masses in Rajasthan. The saints have reached the public by singing Bhajans and taking their experiences to the people in the ethical, simple and practical ways. Among the invaluable assets of the sant style are Mallinathji, Jambhoji, Jasnathji, Dadu Vani, Meera Padavati, Narasiji-RoMaharo, Ramcharanji Vani etc.

(iv) Folk Literature: 

It combines folk songs, folk tales, love stories, folk dramas, riddles, Phads and titbits. Phad is a special feature of the Rajasthan art. Phad is painted on the cloth giving presentation of some historical event or Pauronic event. Most of the Phad portray the life and magical events of folk deities, as Ramdeoji, Pabuji etc. Shahpura Phad of Shahpura (Bhilwara) in Rajasthan has become of national repute. Shrilal Joshi of Bhilwara has made a great contribution to give international fame to the Phad paintings and he has been awarded with ‘Padamshri’ for his efforts by the government of India. To name a few among them are Pabu-Ri-Phad, Devji-Ri-Phad, Teej, Gangaur, marriage, rites, festivals, etc.