Marwar was ruled by the Rathore dynasty. Historians have different views regarding the origin of Rathores. According to the books of Bhato, Rathore is the child of Hiranyakashyap. In the fame of Jodhpur state, he is written to be born from King Vrihadbal, the son of King Vishutman.

Dayaldas has considered him Suryavanshi and told him to be the child of Brahmin Bhallrao. The Rathores of Nainsi Marwar have been described as a branch coming from Kannauj. Colonel Tod has called them Suryavanshi on the basis of the genealogies of Rathores. Although there is a difference of opinion among historians regarding the origin of the Rathores, but all the scholars have related them to the Rashtrakutas of Southern India.

Origin of Rathores

• Kannauj – Gahadwal dynasty
• South India – Rashtrakutas
• At the time of independence, the princely state of Marwar was the largest princely state of Rajasthan in terms of area.

Rathore Kings in Marwar

Rao Siha of Marwar

• He was the progenitor of the Rathores of Rajasthan. Who is considered a descendant of Gahadwal Jaichand of Kannauj.
• He had come to Marwar from Kannauj to help the Paliwal Brahmins.
• Rajdhani – Khed (Barmer)
• Chhattari – Bithu (Pali)

Rao Dhuhad

• He brought the idol of his Kuldevi Nagnechi Mata from Karnataka and built a temple in Nagana (Barmer).
• Lokdevta Pabuji was the son of his younger brother Dhandhal.

Rao Mallinath

• Capital – Mewanagar (Barmer)
• Mallinath ji is the folk deity of western Rajasthan.
• Barmer area is called ‘Malani‘ because of Mallinath ji.
• The songs of Gindoli are sung on Gangaur.

Rao Chunda (1394 – 1423 AD)

• The Pratihara (Inda) king married his princess to Chunda and gave Mandore as dowry. Now the capital of Rathores had become Mandore.
• Its queen Chand Kanwar got Chand Bawdi constructed in Jodhpur.
• In 1423 AD, he was treacherously killed by the Bhatis of Pungal (Bikaner).
• He declared his younger son Kanha as the successor. So his elder son Ranmal went to Mewar and married his sister Hansa Bai to Rana Lakha of Mewar. Later, with the help of the army of Mewar he became the king of Marwar.

Rao Jodha (1438-1489 AD)

• He was the son of Ranmal. After the murder of Ranmal in Chittor in 1438 AD, he organized his power by staying in the jungles, and in 1453 AD he succeeded in getting Mandore through the treaty of Aanwal-Banwal.
• Jodhpur was established in 1459. Mehrangarh fort was built on the Chidiantunk hill in Jodhpur. Karni Mata (Ranmal’s religious sister) laid the foundation of Mehrangarh Fort. In 1460 AD, Rao Jodha had built the temple of Chamunda Mata in Mehrangarh fort.
• He defeated the army of Sultan Bahlol Lodi of Delhi.
• Dr. Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha considers him the first glorious ruler of Jodhpur.
• Its queen Jasmade got the Ranisar pond constructed in Jodhpur.
• Jodha’s son (Bika) founded Bikaner.

Rao Maldev (1531-62 AD)

• Rao Maldev was born on 5 December 1511 AD and his mother Padma Kumari was the daughter of Jagmal Deora of Sirohi.
• According to Pandit Vishweshar Nath Reu, Dr. Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha and Gopinath Sharma, Maldev became the ruler of Marwar by killing his father Rao Ganga.
• At the time of coronation, only two parganas, Jodhpur and Sojat (where Maldev’s coronation took place) were under the control of Maldev, but later Maldev won 58 parganas through 52 wars under his imperialist policy.
• Phalodi after defeating the Bhati rulers of Jaisalmer in 1533 AD, Nagaur by defeating Daulat Khan in 1535 AD, Bilara by defeating Sirvi in 1536 AD, Dungar Singh defeated Siwana in 1538 AD. In 1539 AD, after defeating Veera Sindhal, captured Bhadrajuna and Raipur. After defeating Sikandar Khan, captured Jalore. He won the wars of Sojat and Sevki during the time of his father Ganga.

Battle of Paheba/ Saheba – 1541 AD | Maldev v/s Jaitsi (Bikaner)

• Zaitasi was killed while fighting in the war. Maldev won and he captured Bikaner. Maldev made Kumpa the administrator of Bikaner.
• Son of Zaitsi Kalyanmal went to Shershah Suri (King of Delhi) and asked for help.
• In 1542, Maldev captured Medta as well and Veeramdev, the king of Medta went to Sher Shah Suri and asked for help.

Maldev-Humayun relationships

• Humayun was passing through Rajasthan after being defeated by Sher Shah Suri (in the battles of Chausa and Kannauj). From a place called Jogi Tirtha, he sent three messengers to Maldev for help –
  1. Mir Samand
  2. Raimal Soni
  3. Atka Khan
• Maldev promised to give Bikaner and military help.
• Humayun does not trust Maldev and goes towards Sindh (Pakistan) on the advice of his cheif librarian, Mulla Surkh.
• He took refuge with Virasal Sodha, the king of Amarkot.
• If Maldev and Humayun had shown some sense, they could have formed an alliance against Sher Shah Suri. And could end Afghan rule from India.
• Mughal-Rajput relations which were started by Akbar. Those relationships can start right now.

Maldev Shershah Suri Relation

Battle of Giri Sumel / Battle of Jaitaran (Pali) – 1544

Side – I	Side – II
Maldev	Sher Shah Suri
Koompa	kalyanmal (Bikaner)
Jaita	Veeramdev (Merta) (Nagaur)

Reasons of Conflict

• Imperialist ambitions of both the rulers.
• Maldev’s kingdom was touching the Delhi Sultanate, which was a threat to Sher Shah.
• Maldev allowed Humayun to leave Suri’s kingdom safely and offered to help him. So Sher Shah wanted to punish Maldev.
• Shershah had the support of Kalyanmal (Bikaner) and Veeramdev (Merta) and wanted to take advantage of this trap of the Rathores.
• Maldev went back to Jodhpur due to the cleverness of Sher Shah Suri. Jaita and Kumpa fought against Sher Shah Suri. With the help of Jalal Khan Jalwani, Sher Shah Suri won and after winning he had said “I would have lost the kingdom of India for a handful of millet”. Shershah’s army had 80000 soldiers, while Jaita and Kumpa had only 12000 soldiers.
• Maldev goes to Sivana (hills in Barmer). Sivana was called the refuge of the Rathores of Marwar. Sher Shah captured Jodhpur and handed over it to Khawas Khan. After a few days, Maldev would regain control over Jodhpur.
• Maldev makes diplomatic mistakes in relations with Sher Shah Suri. If he did not allow Kalyanmal and Veeramdev to go to Shershah Suri, he could have made an alliance with the Rathods. Had he not fallen for Shershah Suri’s cunning, he would win the battle of Giri-Sumel.

Maldev-Mewar Relations

• Helped Rana Sanga in the Battle of Khanwa as the Prince of Marwar.
• In 1533, he helped Vikramaditya against Bahadur Shah of Gujarat.
• Helped Uday Singh against Banveer. Later due to a dispute with Uday Singh, he helped Haji Khan Pathan of Ajmer against Uday Singh in the war of Harmada.

Umade (Ruthi Rani)

She was the daughter of King Lunkaran Bhati of Jaisalmer. Because of a maid named Bharmali
got angry with Maldev, that’s why she is called Ruthi Rani. She spent something of her time in Ajmer in Taragarh fort, but later she moved to Kelwa (Rajsamand).

Maldev’s court scholar

• Ashanand –
  • Umade Bhatiani Ra Kavit
  • Duha of Bagha Bharmali
  • Gogaji Ri Pedi
  • He had participated in the war of Pahiba.
• Isardasji –
  • Hala Jhala Ri Kundalia (Sur Satsai)
  • Deviyan
  • Hariras
  • Isardasji is a folk deity in western Rajasthan.

Maldev’s construction work

Maldev got many forts constructed in Merta (Nagaur), Riyan (Nagaur), Sojat (Pali), Pokaran (Jaisalmer). Maldev got the ramparts built in Jodhpur. Its queen Swaroopade got the Swaroopsagar pond (Bahuji Ro Talab) constructed in Mandore.

Maldev’s titles

1. Hindu emperor
2. King of Hashmat

Maldev has been described as the most powerful king of Hindustan in Persian historian Nizamuddin’s book “Tabakat-e-Akbari” and in Ferishta’s book “Tarikh-e-Ferishta”.

Maldev died on 7 November 1562. Displeased with his eldest son Ram Singh, he banished him from the state. Uday Singh was also not made his successor and declared his third son Chandrasen as the successor of Marwar. So Ram Singh and Uday Singh got angry and went to Akbar.

Rao Chandrasen (1562–81 AD)

• His elder brother Ram went to Akbar for help. Akbar attacked Jodhpur to help Ram (Akbar’s commander – Hussain Quli Baig). Chandrasen goes to Bhadrajun (Jalore). Visvesvarnath Reu has considered the non-cooperation done by Maldev towards Humayun as the reason for Akbar’s attack on Jodhpur.
• In 1570 AD, Chandrasen attended Akbar’s Nagaur court but seeing Akbar’s inclination towards Udai Singh, he went back without meeting Akbar.
• According to Ramkaran Asopa, Chandrasen was invited by Akbar for a meeting. According to Vishweshwar Nath Reu, Akbar wished that if Chandrasen accepts submission, he will be given the state of Jodhpur.
• According to Abul Fazl and Badayuni, Chandrasen had accepted the submission of Akbar, but this is untrue because if it were so, Chandrasen would have been expelled from the Nagaur court. There is no need to flee and Akbar does not attack Bhadrajun.
• Akbar attacked Bhadrajun. Chandrasen went to Sivana (Barmer). Later, Chandrasen opposed the Mughals and stayed in the hills of Kanuja and Piplund.
• Chandrasen continued to struggle against Akbar throughout his life but he Subordination is not accepted.
• In 1581 AD, Chandrasen died due to poisoning by a feudal lord named Barisal at a place called Sinchai (Pali) in the hills of Saran.

Titles –

1. Rao Chanrasen was the Maharana Pratap of Marwar – According to Vishweshwarnath Reu
2. Pratap’s Guide / Pioneer
3. The forgotten king of Marwar – Rao Chandrasen

Similarities between Chandrasen and Pratap

• Both did not accept the submission of Akbar.
• Both followed the guerilla warfare method.
• Both had to face opposition from their brothers. Like- Jagmal and Sagar to Pratap and Ram and Uday Singh to Chandrasen.
• Akbar had captured most of the states of both, but continued the struggle even on the strength of a little land.
• Both had to take shelter outside their state. For example, Pratap took shelter in the field of Chhappan (Banswada) and Chandrasen took refuge with King Askaran of Dungarpur.

Inequalities between Chandrasen and Pratap

• Pratap’s Mughal opposition started with his coronation but Chandrasen’s Mughal opposition started after the Nagaur court.
• The Mughal opposition to Pratap was continued even after his death by his son Amar Singh. But Chandrasen’s Mughal opposition ended with his death.
• Pratap had directly confronted the Mughals in the battles of Haldighati and Diver, but Chandrasen could not do this.
• Pratap had established Chavand as a permanent center, but Chandrasen could not establish any center.
• Pratap communicates nationalist sentiments among the people of Mewar but Chandrasen could not do so.

Despite these disparities, Chandrasen can be called Pratap of Marwar, because compared to Pratap, Chandrasen’s geographical conditions were unfavorable, because Mewar was a mountainous region which was suitable for guerilla warfare while Chandrasen had a flat desert. Where guerrilla war cannot be done for a long time. Pratap got the support of charitable companions like Bhamashah and Tarachand, but Chandrasen kept missing such cooperation.

Nagaur Darbar

• Akbar organized this court in 1570 AD.
• Declared Objective – Famine Relief Work
• Real objective – to get the kings of Rajasthan to accept subordination.
• Many kings of Rajasthan accepted the suzerainty of Akbar. Like –
  • Kalyanmal (Bikaner)
  • Harraj (Jaisalmer)
  • Udai Singh (brother of Chandrasen)
• Akbar also got the Shukra Talab (Nagaur) constructed at this time.

Importance of Nagaur Durbar

• Akbar got the kings of Rajasthan to accept subordination through diplomacy without fighting.
• The kings of Rajasthan were clearly divided into two classes –
  1. Mughal allies
  2. Anti-Mughal
• The series of Mughal dependent kings had started in Rajasthan. Like – Mansingh (Amer), Raisingh (Bikaner)
• Due to the cessation of war, peace system was ensured in Rajasthan, which encouraged artistic activities.
• Akbar appointed Raisingh of Bikaner as the administrator of Jodhpur. (1572–74)
• After this, Akbar declared Jodhpur as Khalsa.
• Khalsa – land under the center

Other important facts –

• Chandrasen had appointed Patta Rathore in the fort of Sivana. Later, mughal Senapati Shahbaz Khan had captured Sivana.
• Chandrasen killed the Mughal general Jalal Khan in Rampura area.
• In October 1576 AD, Rawal Harraj of Jaisalmer attacked Pokaran. This time Chandrasen took one lakh ‘fadiye’ (coins) and gave the fort of Pokaran to Jaisalmer as he needed money against the Mughals.
• Mewar, Sirohi, Dungarpur, Banswara, Ajmer etc. during Chandrasen Mughal invasions lived in the regions.
• Rao Sukhraj, Souza, Devidas were companions of Chandrasen.
• Chandrasen defeated his brother Uday Singh in the battle of Lohavat and defeated his brother Ram in the battle of Nadaul.

Mota Raja Udai Singh (1583 – 95 AD)

• The first king of Marwar who accepted the subordination of Akbar (1570 AD in Nagaur court).
• Married his princess Manibai (Jodhabai) to Jahangir.
  • Title of Manibai – Jagat Gosai (mistress of the world)
  • Manibai’s son – Khurram (Shah Jahan)

Kalla Rayamlot

• He was the son of Uday Singh’s brother Raimal.
• He was a feudatory of Sivana.
• In 1589 AD, Akbar attacked Sivana. At this time the second Saka of Sivana happened. Saffron was done under the leadership of Kalla Rayamlot. Bhan Kavar (Rao of Bundi – Surjan’s daughter) committed Jauhar.
• Prithviraj Rathod (Bikaner) wrote the obituaries of Kalla Rayamlot. [Obituaries – Poems to be written on bravery after death.]

Gaj Singh (1615 – 38 AD)

• Jahangir gave Gaj Singh the title of ‘Dalthambhan’ (stopper of armies).
• At the behest of his girlfriend Anara Begum, Gaj Singh made his younger son Jaswant Singh the king of Jodhpur and the elder son Amar Singh was given Nagaur.

Court scholar

1. Keshavdas Garden –
   • Gajgunrupak
   • amarsinhji ra duha
   • Vivek Varta (Commentary on the Upanishads)
2. Hem Kavi – Gunabhasha Character

Amar Singh Rathore

• He was the king of Nagaur.

Mateere Ri Rad – 1644 AD | Amar Singh (Nagaur) v/s Karan Singh (Bikaner)

• This war was faught on the border of Jakhanian village of Matira Nagaur and Silwa village of Bikaner. The information about this war comes from the book Chhatrapati Raso of Kashi Chhagani.
• Amarsingh killed ‘Mir Bakshi’ (Defence Minister) Salawat Khan in the court of Shah Jahan.
• Amarsingh is called “katar ka dhanee”.
• Amarsingh was murdered by his brother-in-law Arjunsingh Goud.
• Amarsingh’s chhatri is in Nagaur. (16 pillars)
• Bukhara Darwaza of Agra Fort is called Amar Singh Darwaza. Shahjaha closed this door. Later in 1809, “George Steele” opened this door.
• Amarsingh Rathod later became the hero of folk songs and folk stories of Rajasthan.

Jaswant Singh (1638–78 AD)

• Jaswant Singh was 11 years old at the time of coronation, so Rajsingh Kumpawat of Asop was made the guardian.
• Jaswant Singh took part in the Mughal succession struggle.

Battle of Dharmat (M.P.) (1658 AD)

• This war took place between Darashikoh and Aurangzeb. Jaswant Singh and Kasim Khan were the generals of Darashikoh in this war, but due to the treachery of Kasim Khan, Darashikoh was defeated.
• When Jaswant Singh returned from the battle of Dharamat, his “Hadi Rani Jaswant De” had closed the doors of the fort. Kaviraja Shyamal Das ji has given recognition to this story.

Battle of Khajua (U.P.) (1659 AD)

• This war took place between Aurangzeb and Shuja. Jaswant Singh had gone to fight on the side of Aurangzeb in this war, but due to mistrust with Aurangzeb, Jaswant Singh returned to Jodhpur after looting his camp. So indirectly Jaswant Singh Shuja helped.
• Later, due to the mediation of Mirza Raja Jai Singh, the ruler of Amer, the estrangement between Jaswant Singh and Aurangzeb was reduced and Jaswant Singh was made the Subedar of Gujarat.
• In 1662, Jaswant Singh was sent to the south to help Shaista Khan against the Marathas.
• In 1673 AD, Aurangzeb made Jaswant Singh the governor of Kabul. He died on 28 November 1678 at a place called “Jamrud Ka Thana” in Afghanistan. On its death Aurangzeb said that “today the door of Kufr (disobedience) has been broken”.

Books by Jaswant Singh

1. Anand Vilas
2. Bhasha Bhushan
3. Prabodh Chandroday
4. Indirect theory summary

Construction work by Jaswant Singh

• A city named Jaswantpura was established in Maharashtra.
• The Kaga Garden was constructed in Jodhpur and pomegranate seeds brought from Kabul were planted here.
• Rani Atirangade had built the Jansagar pond. Which is also called Shekhawat ji’s pond.
• Rani Jaswantde got the palace built at a place called Raika Bagh, and built the Kalyan Sagar pond, which is called Ratanada.

Court scholar

1. Muhnot Nainasi – He was the Diwan of Jaswant Singh and a famous writer. His father’s name was Jaimal and mother’s name was Swaroop Devi. It was arrested by Jaswant Singh due to debt. Where he committed suicide along with his brother Sunderdas. Munshi Deviprasad called Muhnaut Nainsi “Abul Fazal of Rajputana”.
   • Nainasi ri Khyaat –
     • This is the first Khyaat of Rajasthan.
     • In this fame, apart from Marwar, there is also description of other princely states of Rajasthan.
   • Marwar Ra Pargana Ri Vigat –
     • Census information is available from this book.
     • This is the administrative book of Marwar.
     • This book is called “Gazette of Marwar (Rajpatra)”.
     • This book also gives information about the current tax system.
2. Narharidas – Avatar character
3. Naveen Kavi – Neh Nidhan
4. Banarasi Das

Aurangzeb declared Jodhpur as Khalsa. The reasons for this were the following –

• Control over Marwar was necessary to keep the contact of Delhi and Agra safe with the business centers of Gujarat.
• Aurangzeb wanted to make his supporter the king of Jodhpur to comply with his anti-Hindu policy.
• Jaswant Singh was against Aurangzeb from the beginning. So now Aurangzeb wanted to take revenge by destroying or subjugating Jodhpur.

Ajit Singh (1679-1724 AD)

• Durgadas Rathore, with help of Mukundas Khichi and Gaura came to Marwar with Ajit Singh.
• Gaura is called “Pannadhay of Marwar”. Gaura’s name used to be taken in the national anthem of Marwar “Dhunso”. Gaura’s Chhatri is in Jodhpur.
• Ajit Singh was kept under the care of mukundadas in the house of Jaidev Purohit in the village named Kalindri (Sirohi).
• Aurangzeb named the fake Ajit Singh as Muhammadi Raj, and handed over him to his daughter Zebunnisa.
• Raj Singh of Mewar extended his support to Ajit Singh.
• 1680 AD In the Battle of Debari (Udaipur), the Mughal army defeated the combined army of Mewar and Marwar.
• Durgadas incited Aurangzeb’s son Akbar to revolt. On January 1, 1681, Akbar was declared the Mughal emperor in Nadaul (Pali). Due to the cleverness of Aurangzeb, Akbar had to go to Shambhaji in South India.
• Buland Akhtar and Safiyatunisa – These were the sons and daughters of Akbar. He was brought up by Durgadas Rathod. He was kept at the house of Jagannath Ramchandot in Juna Barmer village, and arrangements were made for his religious education. Durgadas Rathore had handed over Safiyatunisa to Aurangzeb at the behest of Ishwardas Nagar in 1695-96 AD. Strong anti-Hindu Aurangzeb was so pleased with this behavior of Durgadas that he sent him to the pargana of Medta and one lakh rupees for travel expenses. In 1698, he himself appeared before Aurangzeb with Buland Akhtar.
• After the Debari settlement in 1708, Ajit Singh became the king of Jodhpur.
• Ajit Singh exiled Durgadas Rathore to the country.
• Ajit Singh married his daughter to Indra Kanwar, the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar. Indra Kanwar was the last Hindu princess to be married to a Mughal emperor.
• Ajit Singh was murdered by his son Bakht Singh. (23 June 1724)
• Many animals and birds were burnt to death in Ajit Singh’s funeral.

Books of Ajit Singh –

1. Durgapath language
2. Gunsagar
3. Nirvana Ra Duha
4. Ajitsingh Ri Kavita

Durgadas Rathore

• Askaran had given Luneva Jagir to Durgadas.
• Durgadas struggled for 30 years (1678 – 1708 AD) to make Ajit Singh the king. This was called the ’30-year struggle’ of the Rathores of Marwar.
• Amarsingh II of Mewar had given the jagirs of Rampura and Vijaypur to Durgadas.
• Durgadas died on 22 November 1718 in Ujjain.
• Durgadas ki Chhatri is situated on the banks of Shipra river in Ujjain.

Titles of Durgadas Rathore –

1. Ulysses of the Rathores (said by James Tod)
2. Garibaldi of Rajputana
3. Annabindhiya Pearl of Marwar

Evaluation of Durgadas Rathore

Marwar’s son Veer Durgadas fought with the Mughals throughout his life for the protection of the motherland and the interests of his master. Without him it was not possible for Ajit Singh to get back his ancestral kingdom. Durgadas took on the Mughals by uniting the Rathore Rajputs whom Maldev could not tie in the thread of unity.

Durgadas was a skilled diplomat, he not only saved Ajit Singh’s life, but also put him on the throne. For this he took the help of Mewar and inspired Akbar to revolt. But when Akbar’s rebellion failed, he not only took him safely to the south, but also protected his sons and daughters and arranged for the education of Islam.

These heroic human qualities of Durgadas won the heart of even a stone hearted enemy like Aurangzeb. Durgadas was respected not only in Aurangzeb’s court but also in Mewar and Maratha king Shambhaji’s court.

Abhay Singh (1724-49 AD)

• Khejadli Incident – Bhadrapad Shukla Dasami Vikrami Samvat – 1787
• Under the leadership of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, 363 people were martyred to save the trees.
• Every year ‘Tree Fair’ is organized in Khejdali. ‘Amrita Devi Bishnoi Award’ is given in the field of environmental protection.

Court scholars

• Karnidan – Suraj Prakas (Bidad Sinagar)
• Veerbhan – Rajroopak

From these two books we get information about the Ahmedabad war. In this war, Abhay Singh defeated the governor of Gujarat, Sir Buland Khan.

Mansingh (1803–43 AD)

• After a dispute with his brother Bhim Singh, he took refuge in the fort of Jalore. when he was in Jalore, Devnath predicted that he would become the king.
• Mansingh built a great temple for the Nath sect in Jodhpur and also wrote a book named Nath Charitra.
• It is called “Sanyasi Raja” of Marwar.
• He established a library named “Man Pustak Prakash” in Jodhpur.
• On January 16, 1818, he makes a treaty with the British. The representative of the British was Charles Metcalf and the representative of Jodhpur was Yuvraj Chhatrasingh and Bishanram Vyas.
• In 1827 AD, the ruler of Nagpur, Apa Sahib Bhonsle, had given shelter in Jodhpur against the British. Mansingh had also refused to return the thugs who had fled from the British state.
• Boycotted Ajmer Darbar of Governor General Lord William Bentinck in 1832 AD.
• After the death of Devnath, there was a dispute between his son Ladunath and his brother Bhimnath, so Mansingh pacified this dispute by building Uday Mandir for Bhimnath.
• Later, under the leadership of Lakshminath, the Naths had started creating disturbances in Jodhpur, so in 1839, Sutherland pacified the Nath rebellion.

Court scholar

• Kaviraja Bankidas Ji –
  • Bankidas Ri Khyaat (Jodhpur and Jaipur in this book refers to the date of establishment.)
  • Man Jaso Mandan
  • Datar Bavani
  • Kukavi Batisi
• Geet (Song) – Aayo Angrej Mulk Re Upar (The kings who supported the British were criticized in this song.)