The Chauhans of Bundi, also known as the Hada Chauhans, were a Rajput dynasty that ruled the Bundi state in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan from the 13th to the 20th century CE.
They were a branch of the Chauhan Rajput community, and claimed descent from Bisaldev Chauhan, a son of Harshraj and grandson of Manik Rai of Sambhar, who was a descendant of Anal Chauhan.
They established their rule over Bundi with the help of the Bhil tribes, who recognized them as their chiefs. They expanded their kingdom through wars and alliances with the neighbouring kingdoms of Mewar, Marwar, Malwa, Delhi, and Jaipur.
They also built several forts, palaces, temples, and monuments, including the famous Taragarh Fort, Bundi Palace, and Raniji ki Baori. Their last ruler, Bahadur Singh, acceded to the newly formed Indian Union in 1947.
Chauhans in Bundi
The following table lists the names and reigns of the Chauhan rulers of Bundi, along with their notable achievements and events.
| Name | Reign | Achievements and Events |
|---|---|---|
| Deva | c. 1241-1264 CE | The founder of the dynasty, he was a son of Jaitra Singh, the ruler of Jalore. He conquered Bundi from the Meena tribe, with the help of the Bhils, who accepted him as their chief. He also built the Taragarh Fort, the oldest fort in Rajasthan. |
| Jaitra Singh | c. 1264-1286 CE | He was a son of Deva, and succeeded him as the ruler of Bundi. He fought against the Delhi Sultanate, and allied with the Mewar king Samarasimha against the Sultan Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji. |
| Bar Singh | c. 1286-1310 CE | He was a son of Jaitra Singh, and succeeded him as the ruler of Bundi. He continued the alliance with Mewar, and supported the Mewar king Ratnasimha against the Sultan Alauddin Khilji. He also built the Baroli temple complex, one of the finest examples of temple architecture in Rajasthan. |
| Surjan | c. 1310-1335 CE | He was a son of Bar Singh, and succeeded him as the ruler of Bundi. He was a patron of art and culture, and invited several poets and scholars to his court. He also built the Suraj Kund, a large water reservoir near the Taragarh Fort. |
| Court Scholar | – | The most famous court scholar of Surjan was Kumbha Rana, who composed the Kumbha Ramayana, a Sanskrit epic based on the Ramayana of Valmiki. He also wrote several other works on grammar, philosophy, and astronomy. |
| Buddha Singh | c. 1335-1358 CE | He was a son of Surjan, and succeeded him as the ruler of Bundi. He was a brave and generous ruler, who donated land and wealth to the Brahmins and the temples. He also fought against the Delhi Sultanate, and allied with the Mewar king Lakshman Singh against the Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq. |
| Amar Kanwar | c. 1358-1389 CE | He was a son of Buddha Singh, and succeeded him as the ruler of Bundi. He was a devout Hindu, who performed several yajnas and pilgrimages. He also built the Amar Sagar, a large lake near Bundi. |
| Krishna Kanwar | c. 1389-1415 CE | He was a son of Amar Kanwar, and succeeded him as the ruler of Bundi. He was a valiant and ambitious ruler, who expanded his kingdom by conquering several neighbouring territories. He also built the Krishna Sagar, another large lake near Bundi. |
| Vishnu Singh | c. 1415-1445 CE | He was a son of Krishna Kanwar, and succeeded him as the ruler of Bundi. He was a wise and benevolent ruler, who maintained peace and prosperity in his kingdom. He also built the Vishnu Sagar, the third large lake near Bundi. |
Taragarh Fort
The Taragarh Fort is one of the most prominent landmarks of Bundi, and a symbol of the Chauhan power and glory. The fort was built by the first Chauhan ruler of Bundi, Deva, in the 13th century CE, on a steep hill overlooking the town.
The fort has three gateways, named Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza, and Gagudi ki Phatak. The fort also has several bastions, palaces, temples, and reservoirs, such as the Bhim Burj, the Rani Mahal, the Garbha Gunjan, the Miran Saheb ki Dargah, and the Ratan Daulat. The fort offers a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding hills.
Bundi Palace
The Bundi Palace is a magnificent palace complex, located adjacent to the Taragarh Fort. The palace was built by the Chauhan rulers of Bundi, over a period of three centuries, from the 14th to the 17th century CE.
The palace is famous for its exquisite murals, paintings, and frescoes, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Ragamala, and the life of the Chauhan kings.
The palace has several halls, courtyards, and pavilions, such as the Chhatra Mahal, the Badal Mahal, the Phool Mahal, the Chitrashala, and the Shikar Burj. The palace also houses a museum, which displays various artefacts, weapons, and costumes of the Chauhan era.
Raniji ki Baori
The Raniji ki Baori, or the Queen’s Stepwell, is a remarkable structure, located in the heart of the town. The stepwell was built by the Chauhan queen Nathavati, the wife of Rao Raja Anirudh Singh, in 1699 CE.
The stepwell is 46 metres long, 20 metres wide, and 40 metres deep, and has 200 steps leading to the water level.
The stepwell is adorned with intricate carvings, arches, pillars, and statues of elephants, horses, and deities. The stepwell also has a high arched gate, which bears the coat of arms of the Chauhans.
Conclusion
The Chauhans of Bundi were a powerful and illustrious Rajput dynasty that ruled the Bundi state for over six centuries. They were known for their courage, generosity, piety, and patronage of art and culture.
They left behind a rich legacy of architecture, painting, and literature, which can be seen in their capital Bundi and other places. They were also instrumental in resisting the foreign invasions and preserving the Rajput identity and pride.
They are remembered as one of the glorious dynasties of Rajasthan and India.