Rathore dynasty


The Rathore dynasty is an Indian dynasty belonging to the Rathore clan of Rajputs that has historically ruled over parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. The Rathores trace their ancestry from the Suryavamsha and to the Rashtrakutas and later to the Gahadavalas of Kannauj, migrating to Marwar region of Rajasthan after the fall of Kannauj.

Coverage

This article discusses the "Kanaujiya" Rathores of Marwar and lineages, thereof; Norman Ziegler had noted of 12 other similar branches of Rathores — Sur, Shir, Kapaliya, Kherada, Abhepura, Jevamt, Vagula, Karaha, Parakra, Ahrao, Jalkheda, and Camdel. Scholarship about those branches are scarce to non-existent.

Origins

Rashtrakuta origin

A section of historians argue for a Rashtrakuta origin. Branches of Rashtrakutas had migrated to Western Rajasthan as early as the late tenth century. Multiple inscriptions of Rathauras have been located in and around Marwar dating from the tenth to thirteenth century, indicating that the Rathores may have emerged from one of the Rashtrakuta branches.

Bardic origins

, employed by the Rathores of Marwar, chronicled Nainsi ri Khyat, a bardic genealogical history of the Rajputs in western Rajasthan ; one of the oldest extant historical records of the region, the Khyata collated information from existing oral literature, genealogies and administrative sources in a chronological fashion. Nainsi had noted of the Rathores to have originated from Kannauj before migrating to Marwar.
British indologist V. A. Smith theorized that the Rathores and Bundelas are an offshoot of the Gahadavala dynasty. Roma Niyogi considers this claim to be of a later origin.

Accuracy

These bardic claims of descent have been since deemed to be largely ahistorical by Ziegler. Ziegler notes the theme of migrations to be common across Rajput genealogies; a construct, borrowed from literary canon of other regions. Later genealogies of Rathores went as far as to derive origin from Gods of the Hindu pantheon — Indra, Narayana et al.

History

Early history

The first Rathore chieftain was Rao Siha Setramot, grandson of the last Gahadavala king Jayachandra. Setramot abdicated the throne of Kanauj to become an ascetic but got embroiled in a royal rivalry and eventually married the daughter of a Gujarati ruler, who birthed him three sons. Rao Asthan, the eldest, was raised at Paltan after Siha's death and he went on to establish the first Rathore polity in Pali, after winning over the local Brahmins by defeating an oppressive king named Kanha Mer. Other contemporary sources claim the same descent and construct slightly variable narratives about migration from Kanauj: Setramot fled the Ghurid Sultanate to Marwar and established the first Rathore polity. The Bithoor inscription provides the date of Siha's death in 1273 CE and calls him the son of Set Kunwar; however, it does not claim any Gaharwal origin.
Under Asthan's regime, and that of his successor-rulers, the Rathore territories significantly expanded courtesy confrontations and diplomatic negotiations with other pastoral groups; the primary base shifted multiple times. Marital alliances with any warrior-group operating out of Thar were especially favored and they were welcome to be inducted in the Rathore fold. Multiple new Rathore branches seem to have split out in these spans.
The precise accuracy of events which allegedly occurred across these spans is questionable and may not be relied upon except for a generic reconstruction.

Sovereignty

, who was ninth in descent from Asthan, married a Pratihara princess and was gifted the territory of Mandore as a dowry by the Pratihara clan. In return Chunda promised to defend Mandore against the Tughlaq Empire. Mandore thus became the new capital of the Rathore clan, c. 1400. This prompted a significant sociopolitical shift: the hitherto nomadic lifestyle frequented with cattle raids etc. would gradually give way to landed aristocracy. His son Ranmal was assassinated in 1438; Marwar was annexed by Sisodias whilst other parts were captured by Delhi Sultanate.
In 1453, Rao Jodha regained Marwar, and expanded his territories by entering into multiple alliances with fellow Rajputs; the Jodha line was established with his consecration of a new capital at Jodhpur. Rao Jodha was successful in annexing several territories from the Delhi Sultanate, due to which the Rathores of Marwar became the most powerful kingdom in Rajputana during his reign. Among his sons, Rao Bika found a new state in Bikaner in 1465; he and his successors would go on to expand territories therefrom, adopting similar tactics. This Bikawat branch became the new bearer of Rathore legacy, even bringing Gahdavala-time emblems and heirlooms from Marwar. Another of Jodha's sons Rao Varsingh found a new state at Merto in 1462, establishing the Mertiyo branch.
Rao Maldeo's regime harbored another significant shift from clannish rule to monarchy; Malde forced his distant relatives, who conquered new territories, to submit to him or else be deprived of gains. Bikaner was raided, too. Large palaces were constructed and fortifications were committed to, in what signaled the effective end of pastoral lifestyle. By mid-sixteenth century, the Rathors had a firm hold over entire Rajasthan.
All these while, multiple matrimonial and military alliances with local Islamic kingdoms; the Delhi Sultanate have been noted; Hindu-Muslim relations were largely fraternal.

Mughal period

The situations deteriorated once Akbar was ordained as the Mughal Emperor, and rao Maldeo died. His son rao Chandrasen Rathore defended his kingdom for nearly two decades against relentless attacks from the Mughal Empire. The Jodhawat Rathores lost much of their territory rapidly and were effectively subsumed. The Bikawat Rathores entered into friendly relations with the Mughals, led their armies, and were extensively patronaged to the extent of being allowed to control the Jodhpur Fort. In 1583, Uday Singh finally accepted Mughal suzerainty and in return, was granted part of a Pargana in Jodhpur; this would enable the Jodhawat Rathores to become all-weather allies of the Mughals though punctuated with discords.
This span of cohabitation led to the introduction of strict endogamy into Rathore folds and hypergamy with Mughals. It was also under the Mughals, that bardic genealogies were crafted to present themselves as worthy appointees of the Mughals and distinguish themselves from other "once-fraternal" communities, thereby staking a claim to power irrespective of temporal situations. Also, by this time, the nomadic memories were better suppressed and the Rathores had themselves rebranded as the elite "protectors" of local cattle-rearers; in a couple of centuries, figures from early Rathore polity would be deified.
Many scions of the Rathore clan were able to establish their own kingdoms during the Mughal reign. Barbara Ramusack notes how a 23-year-old Ratan Singh Rathore, who was from a younger branch of the Jodhpur ruling family, was able to rise in rank by fighting against a mad elephant in Delhi. Shah Jahan was so impressed by his valour that he enlisted Ratan Singh in his army. Ratan Singh was able to rise to a rank of 3,000, received the Mahi-Maratib and Jagirs in Malwa, where he founded his own kingdom in Ratlam. The dynasty started by Ratan Singh would further breakaway and form the kingdoms of Sailana and Sitamau.
During Aurangzeb's reign major rebellions would break out resulting in a 30 year war between the Mughals and the Rathores. The rebellion would continue until Bahadur Shah I's reign. Durgadas Rathore played an instrumental role in protecting the Rathore dynasty of Jodhpur during this war.

British period

The Rathore ruler of Jodhpur, Man Singh, initially refused to form treaties with the British. However in 1805-1806 he approached the British for military advice and paid the British to protect his state against the predatory actions of the Marathas and Pindaris. By 1816 the British changed this treaty and expelled all foreign influence in Jodhpur, they also started arbitrating in state matters. By 1818 the alliance was cemented and in 1832 the Rajputana agency was formed. Man Singh was not always cordial with the British during this time, in 1829 Man Singh gave shelter to Mudhoji II Bhonsle and antagonized the British. Mudhoji was zealously protected by Man Singh and lived his remaining life in Jodhpur till his death in 1840. Man Singh was finally caught with evidence, when his spy Dhumdas was arrested by the British. Man Singh was using ascetics as spies and messengers. The letters proved that Man Singh was part of an "anti-British cabal" which included Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, Dost Muhammad, King of Afghanistan and the Russians. In September 1839 the British sent an army and captured Jodhpur. Man Singh chose to relinquish his throne and became an ascetic to avoid war. The exiled maharaja of Jodhpur died on 5 September 1843 due to poor health. The 1857 rebellion sparked uprisings amongst several Rajput chieftains of the Rathore clan in Jodhpur State. Prominent amongst them was Kushal Singh of Auwa. After several failed attempts by the British, the rebellion was quelled by the British army under the command of Brigadier Holmes.
During the 20th century the lower castes in India tried to uplift their social standing by adopting surnames of other castes. The Rajput clan name "Rathore" was adopted as a surname by the Teli community in 1931, who started calling themselves Vaishyas Rathore for caste upliftment. During the same period of British Raj, the Banjaras began styling themselves as Chauhan and Rathor Rajputs.

Princely states

The various cadet branches of the Rathore clan gradually spread to encompass all of Marwar and later founded states in Central India and Gujarat. The Marwar Royal family is considered the head house of Rathores. At the time of India's independence in 1947, the princely states ruled by various branches of the Rathore clan included:

Rajasthan

Main Branch in Marwar

Rulers: 1226–1438

Rulers: 1438–1949

Bikaner Branch

  • 1465 – 1504: Rao Bika
  • 1504 – 1505: Rao Nar Singh
  • 1505 – 1526: Rao Lunkaran
  • 1526 – 1542: Rao Jait Singh
  • 1542 – 1571: Rao Kalyan Mal
  • 1571 – 1612: Rao / Raja Rai Singh
  • 1612 – 1613: Raja Dalpat
  • 1613 – 1631: Raja Sur Singh
  • 1631 – 1667: Raja Karan Singh
  • 1667 – 1669: Interregnum
  • 1669 – 1698 Maharaja Anup Singh
  • 19 Jun 1698 – 15 December 1700: Maharaja Swarup Singh
  • 15 Dec 1700 – 16 December 1735: Maharaja Sujan Singh
  • 16 Dec 1735 – 15 May 1746: Maharaja Zorawar Singh
  • 15 May 1746 – 25 March 1787: Maharaja Gaj Singh
  • 25 Mar 1787 – 25 April 1787: Maharaja Raj Singh
  • 25 Apr 1787 – 9 October 1787: Maharaja Pratap Singh
  • 25 Apr 1787 – 25 March 1828: Maharaja Surat Singh
  • 25 Mar 1828 – 7 August 1851: Maharajadhiraj Shri Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Ratan Singh
  • 7 August 1851 – 16 May 1872: Maharajadhiraj Shri Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sardar Singh
  • 16 May 1872 – 19 August 1887: HH Shri Maharajadhiraj Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Dungar Singh
  • 19 Aug 1887 – 2 February 1943: HH Shri Maharajadhiraj Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur
  • 19 Aug 1887 – 16 December 1898: the British Political Agents-Regent
  • 2 February 1943 – 15 August 1950: HH Shri Maharajadhiraj Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Sadul Singh

    Kishangarh Branch

  • 1611 – 1615: Raja Kishan Singh
  • 1615 – 1618: Raja Sahas Mal
  • 1617 – 1629: Raja Jag Mal
  • 1629 – 1643: Raja Hari Singh
  • 1643 – 1658: Raja Roop Singh
  • Jun 1658 – Oct 1706: Raja Man Singh
  • Oct 1706 – Apr 1748: Raja Raj Singh
  • 1748 – 1781: Raja Bahadur Singh
  • 1748 – 21 August 1765: Raja Sawant Singh
  • 21 August 1765 – 16 May 1768: Raja Sardar Singh
  • 1781 – 22 Nov 1788: Raja Birad Singh
  • 22 November 1788 – 5 March 1798: Raja Pratap Singh
  • 5 March 1798 – 22 May 1839: Maharaja Kalyan Singh
  • 22 May 1839 – 31 August 1841: Maharaja Mohkam Singh
  • 31 August 1841 – 25 December 1879: HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Prithvi Singh Bahadur
  • 25 December 1879 – 18 August 1900: HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Sir Sadul Singh Bahadur
  • 18 August 1900 – 25 September 1926: Lieutenant-Colonel HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Sir Madan Singh Bahadur
  • 25 September 1926 – 3 February 1939: HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Yagya Narayan Singh Bahadur
  • 3 February 1939 – 15 August 1947: HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Sumer Singh Bahadur

    Ratlam Branch

NameDate of Reign
Ratan Singh 1648–1658
Ram Singh1658–1682
Keshodas1682–1701
Chhatrasal 1705–1709
Keshri Singh1709 – Feb 1716
Pratap SinghFeb 1716–1716
Man Singh1716–1743
Prithvi Singh1743–1773
Padam Singh1773–1800
Parbat Singh1800–1825
Balwant Singh1825–29 Aug 1857
Borthwick1825–c.1832
Bhairon Singh29 August 1857 – 27 January 1864
Ranjit Singh27 January 1864 – 20 January 1893
Regency27 January 1893 – 15 December 1898
Sajjan Singh20 January 1893 – 1 January 1921
Sajjan Singh 1 January 1893 – 3 February 1947
Lokendra Singh 3 February 1947 – 15 August 1947

Jhabua Branch

Sitamau Branch

  • 1701 – 1748 Raja Keshav Das
  • 1748 – 1752 Raja Gaj Singh
  • 1752 – 1802 Raja Fateh Singh
  • 1802 – 1867 Raja Raj Singh ,
  • 1867 – 28 May 1885 Raja Bhawani Singh
  • 8 Dec 1885 – 1899 Raja Bahadur Singh
  • 1899 – 9 May 1900 Raja Shardul Singh
  • 11 May 1900 – 15 August 1947 HH Raja Ram Singh

    Sailana Branch

NameYear
Raja Jai Singh1736–1757
Raja Jaswant Singh I1757–1772
Raja Ajab Singh1772–1782
Raja Mokham Singh1782–1797
Raja Lakshman Singh1797–1826
Raja Ratan Singh1826–1827
Raja Nahar Singh1827–1841
Raja Takhat Singh1841–1850
Rajmata Nath Kanwarji 1850–1859
Raja Duleh Singh1850–1895
HH Maharaja SirJashwant Singh II1895–1919
HH Maharaja Sir Dileep Singh1919 – 1948
Maharaja Digvijay Singh 1961–1990
Maharaja Vikram Singh 1990 – present

Alirajpur Branch

  • 1437–1440: Anand Deo
  • 1440–....: Pratap Deo
  • .... -.... Chanchal Deo
  • .... -.... Gugal Deo
  • .... -.... Bachchharaj Deo
  • .... -.... Dip Deo
  • .... -.... Pahad Deo I
  • .... -.... Udai Deo
  • .... - 1765 Pahad Deo II
  • 1765 - 1818 Pratap Singh I
  • 1818 Musafir Makrani
  • 1818 - 17 Mar 1862 Jashwant Singh
  • 1818 - 1839 Musafir Makrani -Manager
  • 1862 - 1869 Ganga Deo
  • 1871 - 29 Oct 1881 Rup Deo
  • 1869 - 1873 Muhammad Najaf Khan -Superintendent
  • Shamsuddin Makrani Superintendent of Police alirajpur State
  • 1881 - 16 Aug 1890 Bijai Singh
  • 16 Aug 1890 – 14 Feb 1891 Interregnum
  • 14 Feb 1891 - 1911 Pratap Singh II
  • 1911 - 1941 Pratap Singh II
  • 1941 - 23 Oct 1941 Fateh Singh
  • 23 Oct 1941 – 15 Aug 1947 Surendra Singh
  • 23 Oct 1941 – 15 Aug 1947 Sir Pratap Singh -Regent

    Saraikela Branch

  • 1620 – 1677 Bikram Singh I
  • 1677 – 1728 Nru Singh
  • 1728 – 1743 Satrughan Singh
  • 1743 – 1818 Abhiram Singh
  • 1818 – 1823 Bikram Singh II
  • 1823 – 1837 Ajamber Singh
  • 1837 – 1883 Chakradhar Singh
  • 25 Nov 1883 – Nov 1884 Udit Narayan Singh
  • Nov 1884 – 9 December 1931 Udit Narayan Singh
  • 9 December 1931 – 15 August 1947 Aditya Pratap Singh

    Kharsawan Branch

  • 1857 – 1863 Gangaram Singh Deo
  • 1863 – 18.. Ram Narain Singh
  • 18.. – 2 March 1884 Raghunath Singh Deo
  • 2 March 1884 – 6 February 1902 Mahendra Narayan Singh Deo
  • 6 February 1902 – 1917 Siram Chandra Singh Deo

    Jubbal Branch

  • .... - 1803 : Purana Chandra
  • 1815 - 1832 : Purana Chandra
  • 1840 : Purana Chandra
  • 1840 - 1877 : Rubin Kazan Chandra
  • 1877 - 1898 : Padma Chandra
  • 1898 - 29 Apr 1910 : Gyan Chandra

    Vijaynagar (Pol) Branch

  • .... – 1720 Chandrasinhji
  • 1720 – 1728 Kesarisinhji
  • 1728 –.... Kasansinhji
  • .... –.... Makansinhji
  • .... –.... Hathisinhji
  • .... –.... Madhavsinhji
  • .... –.... Ajabsinhji
  • .... –.... Bhupatsinhji I
  • .... –.... Bhavansinhji
  • .... –.... Surajsinhji
  • .... –.... Vajesinhji
  • .... –.... Ratansinhji
  • .... –.... Abheysinhji
  • .... –.... Kiratsinhji
  • .... –.... Laxmansinhji
  • .... –.... Bharatsinhji
  • .... –.... Amarsinhji
  • .... – 1852 Anandsinhji
  • 1852 – 1859 Pahadsinhji Gulabsinhji
  • 1859 – 1864 Navalsinhji
  • 23 Nov 1864 – 24 October 1889 Hamirsinhji I Gulabsinhji
  • 24 Oct 1889 – 1905 Prithisinhji Hamirsinhji
  • Feb 1906 – 1913 Bhupatsinhji II Hamirsinhji
  • 1913 – 17 November 1914 Mohabatsinhji Bhupatsinhji
  • 17 Nov 1914 – 1947 Hamirsinhji II Hindupatsinhji
  • 17 Nov 1914 – 1924 .... -Regent

    Jobat Branch

  • Rana Bahhram Dev
  • Rana Keshavdas Dev
  • Rana Loonkaran Dev
  • 1864 – 1874 Ranjit Singh
  • 1874 – 1897 Sarup Singh
  • 1897 – Mar 1916 Indrajit Singh
  • 18 Jun 1917 – 15 Aug 1947 Bhim Singh

    Valasna State

  • 1812 -.... Nathu Singh
  • c.1880 Man Singh
  • .... - 1926 Hamir Singh
  • 1926 - 1947 Shiv Singh .
  • Thakore Sahib Shri Badrinarayansinh
  • Kunwar Sahib Shri Satyanarayansinh Rathore

    Malpur State

  • 1780–1796 Indrasinhji
  • 1796 Jamalsinhji
  • 1796–1816 Takhtsinhji Jamalsinhji
  • 1816 –1822 Shivsinhji I
  • 1822–1843 .... -Manager
  • 1843–18.. Dipsinhji I
  • 1875–1882 Shivsinhji II Khumansinhji
  • 12 Apr 1882 – 1914 Dipsinhji II
  • 1914–1923 Jaswatsinhji Dipsinhji
  • 23 Jun 1923 – 1947 Gambhirsinhji Himmatsinhji
  • 23 Jun 1923 – 1935 .... -Manager
  • 11 May 1969 Gambhirsinhji Himmatsinhji
  • Present Chief of the Ruling Family and Maha Raolji – Saheb Shri Krishnasinhji

    Idar State

Subclans

The Rathore dynasty has several notable subclans, which are branches or offshoots of the main lineage. These subclans were typically formed by prominent members of the dynasty, often as a result of territorial expansion or the establishment of new kingdoms. Some of the most recognised subclans are as follows:
Jodha, Vadhel, Jaitawat, Kumpawat, Champawat, Mertiya, Bikawat, Udawat & Karamsot, are some of the branches or subclans of Rathore Rajputs.

Marwar

Bikaner

Kishangarh

Ratlam

Jhabua

Sailana

Idar

Saraikela

Beenkar Family

The beenkar family, an offshoot of the Rathore dynasty of Kishangarh, was founded by Naubat Khan, a Rudra veena player in the court of Akbar. Members of the family were important Hindustani musicians in the courts of Mughal Emperors.

Members

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