Palaeo-history of arid Rajasthan has been revisited to find out how primitive man appeared and settled in this region and gradually evolved art of agriculture and other uses of land. From long struggle over 190,000 years with climate and physical environment and spending hunting and gathering; the early man took the sedentary life. During Pleistocene period, man appeared in north-west India. Origin of primitive agriculture took place during last glaciation in wooded land by sedentary folk. In the second interglacial period when climatic conditions were favourable man inhabited in large numbers. With long experience and favourable climatic conditions, he learnt the art of agriculture. Arid Rajasthan has been part of Indus valley civilization where settled agriculture exists with nomadic herdsmanship in Kalibangan. The whole life of man was revolutionized during Mesolithic and Neolithic period. After long association with cultivated fields a sense of ownership developed. From Aryan and Vedic age to Gupta dynasty expansion of cultivation, irrigation, land tenure and land management system were developed. After fall of Gupta Empire in sixth century, the north India came under political unrest. The establishment and development of Rajput power given way to feudal system with anti-peasant land tenure system with lot of taxes, cess and ‘begars’. The condition remained almost unchanged during Mughal and British period. Arid western Rajasthan constitute erstwhile Marwar, Bikaner and Jaisalmer princely states and Shekhawati federation of Jaipur State. Statistics of land use and agriculture of these princely states are analyzed to assess agriculture and peasants condition. Net sown area in khalsa villages in Marwar was just 29% and in Bikaner state 14% only. Irrigated area was 4% in Marwar and 0.4% in Bikaner. In 1950-51 the net sown area in entire western Rajasthan was 37.7% of total khalsa area. After independence the jagirdari and other land tenure systems were abolished and land reforms were undertaken. This given way to significant development of land use and agriculture. Land use changes from 1957-58 to 2015-16 are analysed and major changes and their impacts are highlighted.