A History Of Rajasthan by Rima Hooja

Author:Rima Hooja [Hooja, Rima]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mobilism
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Published: 2006-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

THE RATHORES OF KISHANGARH

Among other prominent branches of the powerful Rathore clan may be included the principality founded by Kishan Singh, the eighth son of ‘Mota Raja’ Udai Singh of Jodhpur. Lying roughly southeastward of the parent-state of Jodhpur, the principality took its name from that of its founder, as did the capital, which was built in AD 1609. Kishan Singh, who had been sent to the Mughal court at a young age, was confirmed in the possession of that territory by Emperor Akbar in 1594. He was later granted the jagir of Setholav by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir. The title of ‘Maharaja’ was conferred on Kishan Singh by Jahangir in 1612, who also granted him a mansab of 1,000 infantry and cavalry.

Now famous more for its fine tradition of miniature painting known as the Kishangarh School of Art, or atelier, in the course of its history the small state of Kishangarh too had its share of brave warriors, litterateurs, musicians and artists, besides ordinary citizens, who plied their respective trades, over its nearly two hundred and forty year existence as a distinct political entity.

In 1615, Kishan Singh was killed at Ajmer by the men of Jodhpur’s dewan Govind Das. He was succeeded by his sons Sahasmal (r. 1615-1618) and Jagmal Singh (r. 1618-1629); both dying in warfare at Jafarabad in southern India while in the service of the emperor. Jagmal Singh was followed in turn, by his brother, Hari Singh (r. 1629-1643). Hari Singh’s successor was a nephew named Roop Singh (r. 1643-1658), who like his predecessors, participated in Mughal campaigns on the northwest frontier and elsewhere. Around 1650, he was granted Mandalgarh as jagir by Emperor Shah Jahan. (Mandalgarh was retaken by Mewar’s Raj Singh in 1660). He is also remembered as the founder of the town of Roopnagar, to which he shifted his capital.

Roop Singh was succeeded by his son, Man Singh (r. 1658-1706). A popular tale in Rajasthan centres around Man Singh’s sister, Charumati, a princess of unparalled beauty, whom the Emperor Aurangzeb wished to marry. Tradition holds that Charumati wrote a letter to Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar, informing him about the emperor’s intention, and asking the Mewar hero to come to her rescue, at which Maharana Raj Singh rushed to Kishangarh with a small force, brought away Princess Charumati, and married her. (The story is retold in the Mewar section of this chapter). A younger sister of Charumati and Kishangarh’s Maharaja Man Singh later married Aurangzeb’s eldest son, Prince Muazzam.

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